Ch 8 Social Stratification Dimensions of Stratification Social

Ch. 8 Social Stratification

Dimensions of Stratification • Social Stratification – ranking of people or groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources – Most important resources – wealth, income, power, and prestige – Weber emphasized the prestige and power aspects of stratification • Social class – a segment of a population whose members hold similar amounts of scarce resources and share values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyle – Marx explained the importance of the economic foundations of social classes

The Economic Dimension • Marx originally identified multiple social classes – laborers, servants, factor workers, craftspeople, proprietors of small business, and moneyed capitalists – However he believed it would eventually end up being on 2 classes • Bourgeoisie – class that owns the means of production • Proletariat – class that labors w/o owning the means of production – He also believed that controlling the economy allowed you to control the legal, educational, and government systems • Income – amount of money received by an individual or group over a specific time period • Wealth – total economic resources held by a person or group

The Economic Dimension • In 2000 the poverty level was set at $17, 761 for a family of four – In 1999 the richest 20 % of American families received over 49% of the nation’s income – The poorest 20% controlled under 4% – The richest 20% of the population holds 84% of the wealth, and top 1% alone has 39% of the total wealth of the U. S.

The Economic Dimension • Power is based on money, knowledge, fame, social positions • A lack of wealth can be overcome with loyal people or skillful resource management – Ex. Hitler

The Prestige Dimension • Prestige – recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions – Ex. A Mafia don – Must be voluntarily given – The more socially valuable the position the more prestige it has

Explanations of Stratification • Functionalist Theory of Stratification – Stratification assures that the most qualified people fill the most important positions – Recognizes that inequality exists b/c certain jobs are more important than others • Conflict theory of Stratification – Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others – Stratification is based of force – Marx’s false consciousness – working-class acceptance of capitalist ideas and values – Stratification occurs through the struggle for scarce resources

Explanations of Stratification • Symbolic Interactionism and Stratification – People are socialized to accept the existing stratification structure • Ex. – American children are taught that social class is the result of talent and effort – People’s self-concepts help preserve the status quo – The is a link b/w social class and self-esteem

Social Classes in America • Class Consciousness – identification with the goals and interests of a social class • The Upper Class – Only top 1% of the population – “aristocracy” – the old-money families of high society • Ford, du Pont, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt • Membership based on blood – Lower-upper class more often is based on achievement and earned income • Could actually have more money that “aristocracy”, but is often not accepted into the most exclusive social circles

Social Classes in America • The Middle Classes – About 40 to 50 % of Americans – Upper Middle Class – about 14% of population • Earn enough to live well and save money • Typically college educated – Middle-middle class – 30% of population • Income is at about the national average ($21, 181 in 1999)

Social Classes in America • The Working Class – lower middle class • 1/3 of population • Below average income and unstable employment • Generally lack hospital insurance and retirement benefits – Working Poor – 13% of population • Low-skill jobs with lowest pay • Do not earn enough to rise above the Poverty line • Tend not to participate in the political process – The Underclass – 12% of population • Usually unemployed • Work part time or are on public assistance

Poverty in America • Absolute poverty – the absence of enough money to secure life’s necessities • Relative poverty – a measure of poverty based on the economic disparity b/w those at the bottom of a society and the rest of society – The definition of poverty in America is not the same as that of India • In the U. S. the government sets the poverty line and anyone below is considered poor – In the 2000 Census 11. 8% of Americans, 32. 2 million, considered poor

Poverty in America • Identifying the poor – About 46% of the poor in America are white, poverty rate is about 7. 7% – African Americans and Latinos poverty rate is about 23% • Combined they make up about ¼ of total population, but nearly ½ of poor – Over ½ of poor households are female headed • Feminization of poverty – a trend in U. S. society in which women and children make up an increasing proportion of the poor – About 9% of people 65 or older live in poverty – 12% of America’s poor are disabled (blind, deaf, ect…) • Responses to the Problem of Poverty – 1964 LBJ marshaled the forces of federal government to begin a war on poverty • Philosophy was to help poor people help themselves – Welfare Reform

Social Mobility • Social Mobility – the movement of people b/w social classes • Horizontal mobility- changing form one occupation to another at the same social class level – Ex. When and army officer become a teacher, or a waiter becomes a taxi driver • Vertical mobility – person’s occupational status or social class moves upwards or downward – Intergenerational mobility – when the change takes place over a generation • A plumber’s daughter becoming a physician, or a lawyer’s son becoming a carpenter

Social Mobility • Caste and Open-Class Systems – Caste system – there is no social mobility b/c social status is inherited and cannot be changed • Statuses and occupation are ascribed • Apartheid – was a caste system based on race • India – Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudra, and Untouchables – Tradition keeps the caste system intact – Open-class system – a system in which social class is based on merit and individual effort, movement b/w classes is allowed • Ex. - The U. S. for the most part

Social Mobility • Upward and Downward Mobility – In the U. S. great leaps in Upward Mobility are rare • Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Steve Jobs, Rockefeller, Henry Ford – Compared to their parents, more U. S. workers are experiencing downward mobility – Downward mobility can have severe emotional and psychological consequences – http: //www. teachertube. com/view. Video. php? vid eo_id=1785