Introduction: What is a class? The term “class” has been interpreted in many ways by sociologists. A popular interpretation comes from Karl Marx, who explained "class" from a relatively narrower economic perspective. According to Marx (1966), classes exist with "identity of income and sources of income" (p. 5), and differences in income lead to the formation of a ruling class that owns the means of production and d 'an opposing class which owns the means of production. don't do it (Bendix & Lipset, Pp.6-11). Thus, for Marx, the economic factor is, and it alone can be, a cause of the formation of classes. Another interpretation was made by Max Weber. Weber (1966) shared Marx's view that property would lead to the formation of classes. But apart from this, power and prestige also play a vital role in constituting a class. When it comes to property, power, or prestige, one group of people enjoys a higher status than others, thus forming different classes. Because of so many interpretations of “class,” Ossowski (1966) generalized different conceptions of social class into four characteristics: (1) the vertical order of social class; (2) the distinction of permanent class interests; (3) class consciousness; and (4) class boundaries and social barriers (P. 92). Considering the four characteristics of classes, this essay will first discuss the importance of social classes in terms of their impact on life chances and then analyze how the type of social stratification is reinforced in different ways.Part I. Why Does class matter? Class has undoubtedly played a crucial role in changing our life chances. According to Weber (cited in Henslin, 2010, P. 238), class position can determine life chances in the sense that an individual's life will follow a certain...... middle of paper.... .. class work (Pp.100-116). New York, NY: Routledge, J. M. Henslin. (2010). Global stratification. Sociology: a down-to-earth approach (Pp. 228-259). Lareau, A. (2008). Watch, wait and decide when to intervene. In L. Weis (Ed.), The way the classroom works (Pp. 117-133). New York, NY: Routledge. Marx, K. (1966). A note on lessons. In R. Bendix and SM Lipset, (2nd ed.), Class, status and power (Pp. 5-6). United States: The Free Press. (Original work published in 1962).Max, W. (1966). Class, status and party. In R. Bendix and SM Lipset, (2nd ed.), Class, Status and Power (Pp. 21-28). United States: The Free Press. (Original work published in 1946). Ossowski, S. (1966). Different conceptions of social classes. In R. Bendix and SM Lipset, (2nd ed.), Class, Status and Power (Pp. 86-96). United States: The Free Press. (Original work published 1963).