Credit card debt: A new class or a new culture?

Authors

Rebecca Olympia Millan, University of Texas-Pan American

Date of Award

5-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Dr. Elena Bastida

Second Advisor

Dr. Kelly Himmel

Third Advisor

Dr. Mark Glazer

Abstract

This thesis project examines the current situation of credit card debt on college students in two colleges in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and seeks to understand whether the use of credit cards is the result of an emerging class or an emerging culture. In order to explain this distinction, students' credit card debt will be viewed as being created through three main areas: the result of the current living wage, the presence of a "buy now, save for later" philosophy, and the desire to obtain the means of the cultural capital to bridge from one social class to another.

Comments

Copyright 2006 Rebecca Olympia Millan. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/credit-card-debt-new-class-culture/docview/304914047/se-2?accountid=7119

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American