How is the underclass defined in the material?

How is the underclass defined in the material?

• A. A national group supporting welfare expansion.
• B. A middle class with stable jobs.
• C. A small elite with political influence.
• D. A social class made up of people who are very poor with little power to improve their lives.

Answer: (D)

The underclass is defined as a social group characterized by persistent poverty and social marginalization, with little power or opportunity to change their circumstances. This means not just low income, but long-term difficulty in accessing stable work, education, and other resources, along with limited political or social influence to improve outcomes. That’s why describing it as a group made up of people who are very poor with little power to improve their lives fits best. The other descriptions point to political stances, the middle class, or an elite, which do not capture the idea of enduring poverty and marginalization.