Chapters 8, 9, & 10 Stratification

Social Inequality Members of a society have different amounts of wealth, power, and prestige. –Some degree of inequality in every society

Social Stratification System by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy –Stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences. –Stratification persists over generations. –Stratification is universal but variable. –Stratification involves not just inequality but beliefs.

Social mobility Change in one’s position in the hierarchy Vertical mobility – up or down in the hierarchy Horizontal mobility – lateral movement Intergenerational mobility – changes in the social position of children relative to their parents. Intragenerational mobility – changes within a person’s adult life

Systems Open systems – permit some social mobility Closed systems – allow for very little change in social position

Karl Marx Stratification gives some people advantages over others. –Classes defined by relationship to the means of production –Bourgeoisie – people who own factories and other productive businesses –Proletariat – sell their productive labor to the capitalists Alienation – experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness

Max Weber 3 components of stratification 1.Class – similar level of wealth and income 2.Status – people who rank the same in prestige and lifestyle 3.Power – ability to exercise one’s will over others Position in stratification reflects a combination of all 3.

Social Classes in the U.S. Upper class Upper-uppers – less than 1% of the population Lower-uppers – “working rich” – rely on earnings rather than inherited wealth – 3 to 4% of population Middle class – 40 to 45% of pop. Upper middles - $80-100K Average-middles - $40-60K – less prestigious white or highly skilled blue Working class - $20-40K – blue collar jobs, 1/3 of pop. Lower class – lives unstable and insecure, 20% of pop.

Poverty Relative poverty – deprivation of some people relative to those who have more Absolute poverty – deprivation of resources that is life-threatening

Who are the poor? Stereotype – unmotivated individuals who are unwilling to work Reality –40% are children –Of poor adults, roughly 60% are not able to work due to illness, disability, age, or homemaker status –2/3 are women, many which are in transition due to departure, disability, or death of spouse

A New Look at Poverty in America Whites are the most numerous welfare recipients Roughly 3 times as much federal money is spent on Social Security and Medicare as is spent on welfare 90% of people classified as poor move out of poverty within 5 years Over half live in suburbs and rural areas

Global Inequality High-income countries – rich, industrialized nations Middle-income countries – some industrialization but primarily agriculture Low-income countries – primarily agrarian with little industry

Modernization Theory Model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of technological and cultural differences among nations. - Technology raises standard of living - Tradition greatest barrier to economic development 1.Rich nations play important roles in economic development. 2.Helping control population 3.Increasing food production 4.Providing foreign aid

Dependency Theory Model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of poor societies by rich ones –Economic success of rich societies achieved at the expense of poor ones

Gender Stratification Unequal distribution of wealth, power, and privilege between men and women. Patriarchy – a form of social organization in which males dominate females Matriarchy – a form of social organization in which females dominate males Sexism – belief that one sex is innately superior to the other

Gender and Socialization Gender roles – attitudes and activities that society links to each sex Family Peer groups Schooling

Second shift Entry in labor force has not substantially reduced involvement in housework

Violence against women Domestic violence Rape Sexual harassment – comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature that are deliberate, repeated, and unwelcome

Feminism Advocacy of social equality for men and women, in opposition to patriarchy and sexism Basic feminist ideas –Importance of change –Expanding human choice –Eliminating gender stratification –Ending sexual violence –Promoting sexual freedom