Social Structure Chapter 5 Page 133

4.2 Outcomes Students will be expected to examine the role of social stratification in the organization of human societies, in relation to gender, race, and socio- economic status Students will be expected to: O SCO 1: Define social stratification and its related concepts (e.g. status and role) O SCO 2: Apply appropriate theories to the concept of social stratification O SCO 3: Formulate a hypothesis regarding positive and negative implication of social stratification in a society O SCO 4: Investigate examples of the relationship between stratification, power and inequality

Social Structure O is the stable pattern of social relationships that exist within a particular group or society – provides the framework within we interact with each other O See fig 5.1 Social Structure Framework on page 135 O Complete the “Social Structure Framework – Graphic Organizer” handout

What is the purpose of social structure? O It is essential for the survival of society and for the well being of individuals Functionalist O Creates order and predictability within society O Important for human development O Gives us the ability to interpret social situations Example: families care for us, school educates us, police protect us

Social Structure Con’t O Change this, and we respond with anxiety, we do not know what to expect. O We see the breakdown of social structure often in times of disaster. O Example: Hurricane Katrina

Critics Of Social Structure O Can limit our options and place us in arbitrary categories- not of our choosing O creates boundaries O May result in Social Marginality - the state of being part insider and part outsider in the social structure. O Can lead to stigma - any physical or social attribute or sign that so devalues a person’s social identify from full social acceptance. Example: “That Family”, “Mountain People”, Prison Uniform

Components of Social Structure

It includes: O Social positions O Relationships among positions O Resources attached to each position Also includes all of the groups that make up society and the relationships among them.

Social Structure of Framework (Macrolevel Perspective) Three social positions: O Statuses and Roles O Social Groups O Social Institutions See fig 5.1 Social Structure Framework on page 135 Social structure affects the statuses we occupy, the roles we play, and the groups and organizations to which we belong

Status O A socially defined position in a group or society characterized by certain expectations, rights and duties. O Example: pro athlete, rock star, homeless person, teacher, high school student, daughter, social justice committee member, etc. Status Is Not Reserved For Rich Upper Class – not in Sociology

Activity Take a moment… O On the handout I have provided O in the first column of the table O create a list of all of the statuses that you occupy

Status Set You have just created a: O Status Set: Made up of all the statuses that a person occupies at a given time O Example: Melanie is a teacher, wife, mother, daughter, volunteer, NS resident (all different status marks) O It is your list of statuses that you just created!

Ascribed Status O Distinguished by the way in which they are acquired Ascribed Status: O A social position conferred at birth, or received involuntarily later in life (example, a French- Canadian female) O Based on race/ethnicity, age, gender, class

Achieved Status O is a status a person assumes voluntarily as a result of personal choice, merit or direct effort. O Such as occupation, education, income level O Example: Mel Johnston, BA-GEO/SOC, B.ED, M.ED, wife, mother

Activity Go back to your status set that you have created and in the second column note: O which statuses are ascribed O and which statuses are achieved At this point, you may think of additional statuses that you occupy and you should add these to your status set.

We should note… O Ascribed status have a significant influence on the achieved statuses we occupy O Ethnicity, age an gender affect each person’s ability to acquire certain achieved statuses O More privileged by positive ascribed statuses are more likely to achieve more prestigious positions in society O Those disadvantaged by their ascribed statuses may more easily acquire negative ascribed statuses

Master Status O A Master status is the most important status a person occupies. O Example, Being Poor or rich, occupies many other parts of our lives. O Master status are vital to how we view ourselves, or are seen be others and how we interact with others.

Activity O Go back to your status set that you have created and in the third column record: O Your master status!

Status Symbol O A status symbol are material signs that inform others of a person’s specific status.

Activity O For the last time, go back to your status set that you have created and in the last column note: O the status symbols you have for each status

Status Symbols In The Larger Picture

Roles O A role is a set of behavioural expectations associated with a given status Example: the role of a student … O What are the expectations?

Role Expectation O Role Expectation is a group’s or society’s definition of the way a specific role ought to be played. Example of a student: O “Oh yes, Ms.Johnston, I know the answer to your question, it is …” OR O “I will always give my greatest effort”

Role Performance O Role Performance is how we actually play the role. Example of a student: O “Ms.Johnston, do I really need to know that concept.” O “Do I need to pass this activity in for marks?”

Perspection of Roles

Role Conflict O Role Conflict: occurs when incompatible role demands are placed on a person by two or more status held at the same time. Example: O High school student and McDonalds worker O “I appreciate you letting me have Thursday off from work so I can study for my Sociology test.”

Role Strain O Role Strain: when incompatible demands are built into a single status that a person occupies Example: O Being a high student is a lot more stressful than I thought it would be

Role Distancing Role distancing O They consciously foster the impression of a lack of commitment to a role and simply go through the motions of role performance O Most likely to occur when people are in a role that is inconsistent with how they think of themselves/how they want to be viewed Example: Jimmy is working at McD’s, but does not want to bee viewed as “a loser working at a dead-end job”. He wants to be viewed as a university student who is working there to pick up a few bucks. When other uni students come in to McD’s he talks to them about courses they are taking and not about what meal deal is the best.

Role Exit O occurs when people disengage completely from social roles that have been central to their identity O Four stages of role exiting …

Four Stages of Role Exit 1. Doubt O People experience frustration or burn out 2. Search for alternatives O Take a leave of absence from work O Temporarily separate from marriage partner

3. Action O People realize they must take action O Ex. Quit job or get a divorce 4. New identify O Creation of new self as a new role is taken on