Social Stratification Part ONE The Basics Social Stratification

Social Stratification

Part ONE: The Basics

Social Stratification • DEFINITION: the ranking of individuals based on the unequal distribution of power, prestige & property • Access to scarce resources & social rewards • Resources & Rewards: • Ex: Education, stable job and bank

Social Stratification • In most cases, power, prestige & property occur together; however, this is not always true • EXAMPLES?

Social Stratification • • • Property: Net worth and/or wealth Objective measurement Power: Capacity to influence people & events in order to obtain wealth & prestige • Objective measurement

Social Stratification • Prestige: • An individual’s status among his peers and in society • Subjective measurement

Social Stratification • Which careers do you think are most prestigious? Least prestigious? Do you agree? ?

Socioeconomic Status • DEFINITION: a rating that determines an individual’s relative position within the system of stratification • Three Factors: • Education • Occupation • Income

Part TWO: Systems of Stratification

Caste System • • • Position based on ascribed status Fixed, closed boundaries Not much potential for social mobility • Endogamy; exogamy not permitted • Status consistency

Class System • Position based on achieved status • Open boundaries • Greater potential for social mobility • Endogamy not required; exogamy allowed

Social Class • DEFINITION: a group of people who share similar levels of wealth, influence and status (SES) • Sociologists use THREE methods to determine one’s social class

Social Class • Objective Method: analyzes “hard” facts • Subjective Method: asks people what they think of themselves • Reputational Method: asks what people think of others

Part THREE: Social Stratification in the US

Hot Button Question: Why are wealthy people wealthy? Why are poor people poor?

Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because… • They obtain wealth by working well-paying jobs, investing/saving their money & by making smart financial decisions • They are the in most cases the ones that worked the hardest • They have made some type of effort to get the money they have • Because they are raised well, hard-working, and/or lucky • They either worked their *** off all their lives or they’ve become wealthy from a past

Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because… • They have the ability to stay wealthy by maybe manipulation, discretion, and some stay wealthy keeping poor the poor • They could own their own business, or have a very advanced job at a major company where they are paid good money. In my opinion, not all wealthy people deserve to be wealthy. Some are only wealthy b/c of money they inherited from their parents, so in reality they worked for nothing • Wealthy people are almost always afforded unique opportunities from birth

Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because… • Because our capitalist economic system is being hindered by socialist methods from our government. These socialist policies are to blame for the worrying pattern of the wealthy remaining wealthy through generations, and the poor and homeless being unable to find more success. After all, capitalism guarantees an equal chance of finding success for all, not guaranteed success for all…but hey, if you prefer that comfort, please move to France and let the USA do its own thing.

Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because… • They work hard to earn a living. They save their money wisely in order to remain wealthy. • They worked harder or smarter than everyone else. • They are smart, work hard, and work in fields that are their strengths. • They went the extra mile to succeed and have the best education to get the best paying job.

Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because… • They have money. • They either inherited the money or they know how the world works. • They can afford excess. • They either have an amazing job, or got money passed down. • Often wealthy people are wealthy because they are born into a family who has collected wealth for many years.

Student Responses…Poor people are poor because… • They either didn’t try or didn’t want to work hard • Of bad financial decisions, not having enough money to overspend/live beyond their means • They have not made smart financial decisions • They have not done anything, therefore they are poor • Usually because they are lazy or stupid

Student Responses…Poor people are poor because… • Each person has a “hand” dealt to them in life. Intelligence, as well as social opportunities such as wealth, schooling and peer group influences our goals and outcomes • In most cases, I don’t think poor people work any less hard – they just didn’t necessarily have the same advantages of others • Poor people usually haven’t had access to the resources needed to break the cycle of

Student Responses…Poor people are poor because… • They are lazy and don’t work as hard as wealthy people. • They are lazy and don’t do enough for themselves and probably do drugs. • Poor people don’t know how to invest and save their money. Also, they don’t take advantage of the education given to them. • They don’t want to try as hard as those who are wealthier. • They want to work for someone instead of

Student Responses…Poor people are poor because… • They have lower income jobs. • They either lost a job, grew up in a poor environment, don’t have an education, or couldn’t afford an education, or are just lazy and live off the government. • They were either born into a poor family and had less opportunities or did not work hard. • The poor are poor because of their preexisting situation, economic tragedies that happened in their life, and their low access to higher paying jobs.

And Finally… • Some people are wealthy because they worked hard to get a good job. Some people are poor because they haven’t worked for money. HOWEVER, more often people are born into a social class that gives them either advantages or disadvantages in society.

Hot Button Question: Is homelessness a problem that should concern the American public? If so, what should be done to remedy the issue of homelessness? Should the government do something?

Student Responses…YES! • Yes, the government needs to afford all of its citizens an equal chance at contributing their potential to society. This equal opportunity often needs an initial assistance to be functional. • Yes, we should never abandon or turn our backs on those most in need. Those who “have” think they have worked hard for what they have and think they poor are just lazy; however,

Student Responses…YES! • Yes, because we pride ourselves on being a country to helps all • I feel like homelessness should be a concern to the American public because if we were to put ourselves in their shoes, half of us would not survive due to the “spoiledness” that we have become…since everyone is so quick to take in a stray dog or cat, why can’t we as humans, help other humans in need?

Student Responses…YES! • Yes, it should concern the public. A nation can best be seen at how it treats its worst of citizens. Much more than what is being done, via welfare programs and outreach projects to actually help those in need get back on their feet • Yes, homelessness degrades the quality of lift for all around • Yes, I don’t think it should be an

Student Responses…YES! • Yes, I think that many people have the misconception that homeless individuals are the people who made poor decisions or didn’t follow the “right” track in life. Though this may be true for some, most are stuck in an unfortunate situation

Student Responses…YES! • Yes, homelessness should be a concern because people have a need and for most of them it isn’t their fault. Even if it is their fault, we should try to help. A remedy would be for everyone to donate food, or time to build shelters or talk to these people. • Yes. There should be a bigger effort to create homeless shelters where people can be educated and helped to find a

Student Responses…YES! • Yes, homelessness should be a concern because people have a need and for most of them it isn’t their fault. Even if it is their fault, we should try to help. A remedy would be for everyone to donate food, or time to build shelters or talk to these people. • Yes. There should be a bigger effort to create homeless shelters where people can be educated and helped to find a

Student Responses…YES! • There is homelessness all over America, it just might not be seen in places that aren’t big cities. I think it should concern people. I don’t believe that people shouldn’t have a home. More people should be willing to open up homeless shelters and feed hungry and homeless people.

Student Responses…UMM… • To a certain extent, yes homelessness is a bad thing and we should try to help in any way, but there will always be homeless people so it should not be our main focus. • To an extent. There isn’t much that can be done if they aren’t willing to work for it. • To an extent. Charity work is great and

Student Responses…UMM… • Homelessness is a problem, but I think we should look at it on a person level. I believe we should ask the questions: Are they truly trying hard to get a job? Are they drug-free? • Homelessness is a problem that should be sympathized by the American public, but not one that should concern them because all societies have homeless people. We should just

Student Responses…NO! • I don’t think that homelessness is that much of a problem today because of all of the welfare bills or acts that allow people to live off of the government. The government is allowing people to not have to work and still receive money.

Student Responses…NO! • No, homelessness is not an American problem, it is the homeless person’s problem. • Homelessness is not a concern America should be worried about because it’s an individual’s problem. • No. Most of the time it’s their fault.

Hot Button Question: Does the government have a responsibility to help the homeless?

Student Responses…YES • Yes, whether it be giving them a temporary place to live or checks to help pay for food, help should always be given until those people get back on their feet. If our gov’t has the power to tax us and regulate our rights then they have the power to administer help to the struggling member of society • Yes, in a democratic society where the people hold the power, the gov’t should

Student Responses…YES • The government’s job is to serve the people, not vice versa. It has duty to do everything it can do to help those who are having a difficult time in life • Yes, the gov’t is “for the people” so it should do everything in its power to help the less privileged • Yes, because a lot of time its not their fault. There’s a reason it’s called “privilege” and some people start off without that privilege at a disadvantage and they are stuck there through no fault of their own. The gov’t is supposed to

• Student Responses…SORT OF? The gov’t does have a responsibility , yet they should not continue to excessively rob those who work hard of their well earned money • I feel the gov’t should try and help the less privileged but not the ones that just don’t care at all about their future – that is a wast of time and money and effort • Yes, to an extent… It should be verified that those who the gov’t is investing in are having to help themselves (drug testing, looking for jobs, etc) • In a smaller way, yes. The gov’t should only assist those in most need with others dependent

Lower Class • 15– 20% of population • Less than $23, 000/year

Lower Class • Characteristics: • Poverty, homelessness, unemployment • (Absolute poverty v. relative poverty) • Most do not have high school diplomas • Lack of adequate housing, food,

Working Class • 30– 40% of population • Median: males ($40, 000) & females ($26, 000) • Minimally educated, though generally have high school diplomas • Manual labor

Working Class • • • Working poor: Unskilled workers Dishwashers, cashiers, maids, servers, etc. • Minimum wage; underpaid • No opportunity for career advancement; “dead-end job”

Working Class • Blue Collar: • Skilled workers; trade • Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, truck drivers, police officers, etc. • Better wages than the working poor

Middle Class, “Sandwich” • 40– 50% of population • Median: males ($70, 000) & females ($50, 000) • Lower Middle: • Less education (B. A. ) with lower incomes • Upper Middle: • Highly educated (M. A, Ph. D) with

Upper Class • • 1– 3% of population About 5% make $150, 000+ About 1% make $250, 000+ 25% of total wealth

Upper Class • • • Lower-Upper: “New” money Made from investments, business ventures, etc.

Upper Class • • • Upper-Upper: “Old” money Aristocratic, high-society, inheritance

Generally have an M. A. or higher

Manual, though skilled labor

Generally have a B. A.

May or may not have a high school education

Characterized by “new” money

Part FOUR: Theory

Stratification: Theory Structural. Functionalism vs. Conflict Theory

Stratification: Theory • Functionalism: • Social stratification is a necessary component of society; the linkage of greater rewards to more important social positions benefits • Conflict: • Social stratification is the result of social conflict; differences in social rewards serve the interests of some while harming the

Stratification: Theory • Functionalism: • Matches talents & abilities to appropriate jobs • Values & beliefs that legitimize social inequality are shared throughout society • Conflict: • Ensures that large amounts of talent & ability will NOT be developed • Values & beliefs tend to reflect the interests of the more powerful members of

Part FIVE: Social Mobility

Social Mobility • Definition: the movement between or within social classes or strata • An important feature of the open class system

Types of Social Mobility • Horizontal Mobility: movement within a social class or stratum • Does not involve any major change in a person’s wealth, power, or prestige • Most common

Types of Social Mobility • Vertical Mobility: movement between social classes or strata • Can be upward or downward

Types of Social Mobility • Intragenerational Mobility: a change in social position that occurs during a person's lifetime • Intergenerational Mobility: form of vertical mobility in which status differs between generations in the same family