Bus or car as an attribute of the middle class? Communication practices of youth in the lower Silesian Voivodeship (based on own research)

Abstract

Owning a car is an attribute of social status, especially among the middle class. A car not only makes everyday life easier, but also serves as a marker of prestige - its brand, class and equipment can reflect the owner's social standing. However, as environmental awareness grows, more and more people who are counted or counted (aspire) in the middle class are paying attention to sustainability issues, including - green forms of transportation, i.e. mass transportation. However, acceptance of public transportation by the middle class depends on its quality and standards. High-quality public transportation can be seen as an alternative to the car, but it must meet certain requirements to be attractive; it must also be accessible. The article presents the results of a study conducted among young people from Lower Silesian high schools in the context of transportation exclusion and class determinants of the choice of means of transportation. Also outlined is the problem of inconsistency of ideological choices with the actual possibilities of their implementation.