Abstract (eng)
The present work examines the significance of sustainable consumer behavior in the new middle class. The theoretical foundations of this research were laid by the work of Andreas Reckwitz and Sighard Neckel. They describe the new middle class as a class characterized by above-average level of cultural capital and an associated high level of environmental awareness. To deepen these theoretical approaches, five problem-centered interviews were conducted with members of the new middle class. Subsequently, these interviews were analyzed using the constructivist grounded theory method. The focus of the study is on the individual meanings of sustainable consumer behavior within the new middle class, with simultaneous attention to symbolic boundaries drawn towards other social classes. The analysis of the interviews illustrates that three central themes shape the significance of sustainable consumer behavior. Firstly, environmental awareness is identified as a prerequisite for sustainable consumer behavior. Environmental consciousness is directly linked to education and has an identity-forming effect. Secondly, sustainable consumer behavior marks belonging to the new middle class and therefore entails symbolic demarcation from less sustainable individuals. These boundaries are drawn on the basis of cultural, economic and moral aspects. Thirdly, non-compliance with sustainable consumer behavior leads to an identity crisis among the interviewees, as it marks the affiliation and social identity of the new middle class.