UNIT 3: WARMUP #1 In our society, what does it mean to be “rich”? What does it mean to be “poor”? As a tendency, do we favor people because they have more monetary wealth than others? As a tendency, do we discriminate against people because they have less monetary wealth than others? What factors would cause an individual to move from “poor” to “rich”? What factors would cause an individual to move from “rich” to poor”? Please answer & explain all of your responses in 1-2 clear, concise paragraphs.
Chapter 9 Social Stratification
Objectives: The student will be able to identify the characteristics of the American class system. The student will be able to explain how different motivations & cultural values influence the American class system. The student will be able to describe the steps that have been taken by the federal government to lessen the effects of poverty.
Social Stratification the division of society into categories, ranks or classes social inequality: the unequal sharing of scarce resources & social rewards What criteria would you use to stratify a society in order to distribute scare resources?
The Caste System in India
Brahmans occupations: priests, scholars
Kshatriyas occupations: rulers, nobles, soldiers
Vaisyas occupations: merchants, bankers, businesspeople
Sudras occupations: laborers, artisans
Harijans (“the Untouchables”) occupations: outcasts, limited to the most undesirable tasks
Stratification Theories
Functionalist Cause of Stratification needed to help society function smoothly by ensuring that specific roles are performed higher rewards guarantee that important roles that require more skill are filled Criticisms of Theory society does not provide equal access to education & jobs rewards do not always reflect the social values of roles
Conflict: Marxists Cause of Stratification the bourgeoisie exploit & control the proletariat to maintain wealth & power Criticisms of Theory fails to recognize that unequal rewards are based in part on differences in talents, skills & desires among people
American Theorists Cause of Stratification groups compete for scarce resources those with power use it to maintain their position Criticisms “Conflict Theory”
American Class System
Upper Class 1% of population “old money” vs. “new money” prestigious schools, heirs, investors, large business owners & top executives
Upper Middle Class 14% of population high income business people & professionals college educated & advanced degrees
Lower Middle Class 30% of population high school or college educated lower level managers, skilled craft workers, supervisors
Working Class 30% of population high school education blue collar jobs pay as much, if not more, than white collar, but less prestige
Working Poor 22% of population some high school laborers, service workers (gardeners, house cleaners, etc)
Underclass 3% of population some high school undesirable, low-paying jobs, unemployed, or on welfare for some time
Poverty the standard of living that is below the minimum level considered adequate by society
Characteristics of Poor Americans
Sex women are the largest segment at 57% female-headed households account for about ½ of all poor families
Age children are the largest group at 37% 3X as many African-American & Hispanic children are poor than white children
Race & Ethnicity African-Americans & Hispanics are far more likely than white Americans to be poor
The 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States & the District of Columbia Persons in family Poverty guidelines 1 $10, , , , , , , ,010 for families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person
CHAPTER 9 Page 212: #3-4 Page 220: #2-3 Page 227: #2-3 Page 228: #1-10 Identifying People & Ideas Page 228: #1-6 Understanding Main Ideas