Unit 4 Inequalities of Race and Social Class Introductory Sociology

Reading Assignment After the test, read the following pages in the green Sociology Text: Pages 276-279 Answer the 2 questions at the bottom of page 279. Hand in your answers.

Race and Ethnicity Race – people sharing certain biologically inherited physical characteristics that are considered important within a society Ethnicity – Shared cultural heritage. (Common ancestor, language, or religion that together make a distinctive social identity) Ethnic Minority – group identified by cultural, religious, or national characteristics Page 277 Defining race (read)

How would you describe yourself racially or ethnically? How do you think others would describe you? How important is your race or ethnicity to you personally? Do you believe that race or ethnicity is a factor in how your friends relate to you? Is your community (neighbourhood) a reflection of your race or ethnicity? Do you place much importance on race or ethnicity? Do you think others put a lot of importance on your race or ethnicity? Is race an important issue in society, or do we make too much or it? Is ethnicity an important issue?

Reflection Exit Slip Race and Ethnicity 1) Did everyone in your group have similar answers? If yes, why do you think your answers were similar? If no, why do you think your answers were different? Did you learn something new from someone in your group? What did you learn? Was your group discussion awkward for you? Why or why not?

Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity Stereotype a distorted, exaggerated or oversimplified image applied to a category of people

Terms and Definitions Prejudice – widely held negative attitudes toward a group and its individual members (thoughts) Discrimination – treating people differently based on ethnicity, race, religion or culture (behaviour) Racism – an extreme form of prejudice that assumes superiority of one group over others Prejudice and discrimination often occur together.

Inequalities of Race Activity In a group fill in the following chart with examples of people that fit the following: 1 3 2 4 Prejudiced Non-prejudiced Doesn’t discriminate Discriminates

Discrimination? Prejudice? Racism? 1. A real estate agent purposely does not show a Hispanic couple homes in a white neighborhood. 2. Slavery was justified in the United States by whites who felt the black race didn't possess the innate intelligence of the white race.

Discrimination? Prejudice? Racism? 3. Amy is reluctant to meet her college roommate because she knows the girl is from a very small farming community and will probably be very different.

Discrimination? Prejudice? Racism? 4. Women are not permitted to join, play golf or enter an exclusive golf club. 5. Joe is reluctant to befriend the exchange student from Afghanistan because he feels people from Afghanistan are all the enemy.

Discrimination Discussion Questions: Think about a time in your life when you have been discriminated against. Have groups at VMC been discriminated against? How? How are people discriminated by what they wear? Read page 249 “You are What You Wear”

Terms and Definitions Hate crime a criminal act against a person or a person’s property by an offender motivated by racial or other bias. Prejudice and discrimination often occur together.

The Truth About Hate Why do you think many of the teenagers in the video had prejudiced opinions at first? Which part of the video was most memorable to you? Why? Do you think that racism and prejudice are being eliminated in Canada? Are things staying the same or getting worse? Explain your answer.

49 Up Assignment Part A While you are viewing the documentary, fill in the following information about each person: Past life: social class, family life, future hopes, accomplishments, jobs, happy? Present: social class, married/divorced/single, children, job, regrets. Happy?

49 Up Assignment Part B What did you learn from the people in the video about the class you are born into? What person did you feel attached to and why? What person surprised you and why? You are part of a video production called 5 Up. Starting at age 5 write down social class, family life, future hopes, accomplishments…happy?... for the following ages: Age 5 Age 10 Age 15 Age 20

Social Class and Poverty in Canada

Social Stratification Ranking of people or groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources Creation of layers of people who possess unequal shares of scarce resources

Social Class “The Layers” Segment of the population whose members hold similar amounts of resources and share values, norms and an identifiable lifestyle.

1. Economic Dimensions 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

2. Power Dimension Power – ability to control the behaviour of others, even against their will

3. Prestige Dimension Prestige – recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions

Social Mobility The movement of individuals or groups between social classes Horizontal Mobility – a change in occupation within the same social class Vertical Mobility – a change in upward or downward in occupational status or social class

Social Systems Open Class System an individual’s social class is based on merit and individual effort. Individuals move up and down the stratification structure because of their abilities, education and resources Caste System a stratification structure that does not allow for social mobility

Upper Class 3-5% of the population Most have inherited their wealth Some have earned their fortunes Go to expensive private schools and universities Work as top executives in large corporations Upper-upper class – 1% of this class, distinguished primarily by “old money” Lower-upper class – remaining 2-4%...”nouveau riche.” http://www.forbes.com http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/09/youngest-billionaires-mark-zuckerberg-sergey-brin-billionaires-2010-page_slide_2.html?partner=cbc

Middle Class 40-50% of the population Often are white collar workers Attend university or college Professional and business occupations Mass media are largely aimed at a middle-class audience Upper Middle – family incomes of $100,000+ Middle-Middle – family incomes of $50,000 - $100,000 Lower Middles typically works in less prestigious white-collar occupations or highly skilled blue-collar jobs – average family incomes under $50,000 ($35,000-$50,000)

Working Class 30% of the population Blue-collar workers Essentially, members of the working class work in unskilled or semiskilled professions for wages which are typically low. Many work in factories or at manual labour jobs No Accumulated Wealth Jobs provide less personal satisfaction

Lower Class or The Poor 20% of the population The Working Poor Incomes are often insufficient to cover necessities of life Work for minimum wage or supported entirely by welfare payments Typically live in less desirable neighbourhoods Many have jobs below their skill level The Homeless Unskilled or unemployed older people Younger runaways due to abuse or not getting along with parents Some are alcoholic or drug dependant and about one-third have a mental illness The poor are less able to rise above their circumstances than the working class, due to lack of resources

Social Stratification Project

Social Class Activity Class: Percentage of Wealth Upper Class (3-5%) 89% Middle Class (40-50%) Upper Middle (10-15%) 5% Middle (30-40%) 3% Working Class (30%) 2% The Poor (20%) Working Poor (13%) 1% Homeless (12%) 0%

Social Class “candy” Activity Reflect on the activity: How did you feel about this activity and the class you were ascribed? Do you experience class division in your own life or witness it in the world around you?