Social Stratification
Discussion Outline Patterns of Social Stratification American Class Inequality Social Mobility and Life Chances
???? What is meritocracy? What is the American Dream?
What is Social Stratification? Why are Sociologists interested in studying social strata and social class?
Systems of Stratification Stratification-A structured ranking of entire groups of people. – perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in society-Some suffer while others benefit – Social Inequality- members of society have differing amounts of wealth, prestige, and power
Systems of Stratification Review: – Ascribed status vs. Achieved status General Systems: Any stratification system may include elements of more than one type (1) Slavery (2) castes (3) social classes – Open vs. Closed systems
Dimensions of Stratification Wealth- money and other economic assets that a person or family owns, including property and income – Income? Wealth is passed on to the next generation and produces income
Dimensions of Stratification Prestige How do individuals and groups alert others of their level of prestige? Power What does it mean that an individual or group is powerful in society?
The American Class System The gap between the rich and the poor in U.S. is larger than any other wealthy/industrialized nation Growing inequality since 1960’s and accelerated in 1980’s under president ______ and economic principle of “trickle down economics”. What is it? – The US economy expanded greatly in the 1990’s, however, most of the profits and benefits went to those in the upper class – Inequality continues to grow- Income and wealth gaps
Economic Inequality (Income) A growing gap between rich and poor – 90’s profits reaped by upper class – Stagnant wages for 8/10 Americans – CEO Compensation – Trickle down-economics Did it work?
Economic Inequality (Wealth) Importance of wealth? Greater than income inequality and expanding In 2007, the wealthiest 1% of household owned more than the bottom 90% of households combined Corporate Wealth
Growing Inequality in the U.S.
Poverty The wealthiest country in the world also has the highest rates of poverty. What country? – Absolute poverty—not having enough money to afford the most basic necessities – Relative poverty—not having enough money to maintain an average standard of living Why is poverty such a problem in the richest nation in the world? 1990’s: U.S. vs. other industrialized nations-Absolute poverty What is the poverty line at for a family of 4? The wealthiest country in the world also has the highest rates of poverty. What country? – Absolute poverty—not having enough money to afford the most basic necessities – Relative poverty—not having enough money to maintain an average standard of living Why is poverty such a problem in the richest nation in the world? 1990’s: U.S. vs. other industrialized nations-Absolute poverty What is the poverty line at for a family of 4?
Poverty Line Poverty line—the minimal level of income that the federal government considers necessary for basic subsistence – Used to determine eligibility for government assistance – In 2010, the poverty line was _______for a family of four.
Who are the Poor? Children (35% of the poor) Women (57% of the poor) African Americans, American Indians, and Latinos (Poverty rates are much higher than for whites.) The “new poor” How is poverty Explained?
Are high unemployment rates beneficial to employers/corporations? How does the U.S. compare to other countries in terms of giving welfare to the poor? Does everyone willing to work have a job? Benefits? How does this illustrate the sociological imagination?