"Middle class" etc is an op to divide the proletariat — it's meaningless media and politician speak. Relationship to the means of production is always more relevant.
+1 to Cromalin's answer as to why people who make 100k/yr call themselves middle class though — "middle class" as a cultural term is cemented in the 70s-90s. 100k in 2021 is equivalent to 14k in 1970 and 47k in 1990.
Also add on that without connections or a completely funded degree via a previously well of family most "middle class" entry fees require some form of education above high school and therefor debt.
"Middle class" etc is an op to divide the proletariat — it's meaningless media and politician speak. Relationship to the means of production is always more relevant.
+1 to Cromalin's answer as to why people who make 100k/yr call themselves middle class though — "middle class" as a cultural term is cemented in the 70s-90s. 100k in 2021 is equivalent to 14k in 1970 and 47k in 1990.
Also add on that without connections or a completely funded degree via a previously well of family most "middle class" entry fees require some form of education above high school and therefor debt.