How do you define working class?

[ikojo]

I have a friend who has a PhD. His wife is a social worker. They live in a neighborhood populated primarily by university professors and teachers. He took insult when I said I did not consider him working class. He owns his home outright (no mortgage, paid cash for his car and inherited some money from his parents..not a whole lot but more than I make in four years of working).

His definition of working class is anyone who depends upon a paycheck to make it day to day. Using his definition a doctor and a lawyer would be working class.

I consider someone with a PhD and a social work degree to be professionals. Teachers, doctors and lawyers are also professionals. They, IMHO, are not working class.

What thinketh the folks in GD?