Social Stratification and Lifestyle in Consumer Society: Status Expression Through Consumption and Taste Formation
Keywords:
social stratification, lifestyle, consumption, taste, social class, consumer society, symbolic distinctionAbstract
This study employs a qualitative literature review to examine the interplay between social stratification and lifestyle within consumer society. It investigates how social status is expressed through consumption and how structural positions shape individual taste. The findings highlight that status expression relies on symbolic differentiation, where consumption reflects not just wealth, but cultural capital and exclusive access. Media and digital platforms further intensify these pressures by fostering aspirational curation. Simultaneously, taste is molded by class-based socialization and the internalization of habitus, making social distinctions appear inherent. While the upper class prioritizes uniqueness and cultural knowledge, the middle class often faces a tension between aspiration and resources, leading to compensatory consumption. Conversely, the lower-class experiences taste stigmatization, which serves to legitimize broader social inequalities. Ultimately, the study concludes that consumption is a primary arena for reproducing social stratification. It shifts the theoretical focus from production-based class structures to the symbolic practices of everyday life, suggesting that addressing inequality requires policies that consider both symbolic dimensions and material deprivation.
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