Social classes often divide communities. Based on the novel, how does S.E Hinton feel about social classes and the way it separates people?

It is obvious thoughout the novel, that Hinton saw social class or economic status as a definite division in communities. People of one class or the other are portrayed as banding together. They are also portrayed as conflicted one with the other. From the novel, we can infer that few people are able to cross these boundaries..... Ponyboy and Cherry being two of the characters who do cross, but who also often seem to be uncomfortable with it.