1. Social Inequality
Unit 3

2. Social Stratification
Chapter 8

4. How do you define being poor?

5. Types of Stratification
Social stratification- division of society into categories, ranks, & classes
Stratification part of nearly all societies; vary among society
Ascribed status
Achieved Status
Talent
Social inequality- unequal sharing of scarce resource; also varies among societies
The Caste System- closed system, movement impossible
Open Systems: Class System- open & more fluid movement

6. Class Divide (40 min)
In the video you will see two school settings in Britain: one elite school, one average working class
Compare the experiences of the two groups of students.
What are each group’s expectations?
What are their experiences living in the other’s shoes?
How do the British schools compare to American schools?

7. Caste System (5:37)
Resources distributed by class, based on ascribed status
Effort & talent have little impact on class distinction
Status inherited
Specific norms dictate system
Prohibit exogamy- marriage outside of social class
Developed over 3,000 years ago
Abolished in 1950
Difficult to dismantle
In larger cities caste is ending
rural areas still practiced

8. Class System
Distribution of resources and rewards based on achieved status
Individuals have some level of control over movement
Movement can be both upwards & downwards
Karl Marx: Conflict Theory
Bourgeoisie-
Control & own means of production
Receives benefits of production (profits)
Proletariat-
Sell their labor
Does the “hard work”

9. Dimensions of Social Stratification
Max Weber- expands on Marx’s theory; suggests class consists of 3 factors
Property
Prestige
Power
Many sociologists agree with Weber’s theory
Social class- grouping of people with similar levels of wealth, power, and prestige

10. Social Stratification
Wealth-
Consists of a person’s assets; the value of everything a person owns including income
US: controlled by minority of the population; wealthiest 1% controls 1/3 of country’s wealth
Top 1% also earned 21+% of the nation’s income
Growing income gap?
Power
Usually comes with wealth, special skill, talent, knowledge
Ability to control others
Ex: The Voice
Prestige
Respect, honor, recognition & courtesy received from others
Characteristics society thinks important
Occupation considered among prestige & higher levels of education

11. Social Rankings
Socioeconomic Status- SES; used by sociologists to determine social standing
Consider educational level
Occupational prestige
Place of residence
Look on the back of your worksheet. Rank the listed occupations based on how you feel they should be ranked

13. Stratification: Functionalists
Stratification necessary
Certain roles in society must be performed for society to be maintained
Higher rewards to ensure fulfillment
Variation to rewards ensure that all jobs filled
Weakness with theory:
Not everyone has equal access to education
Higher rewards= more important jobs…. Where does that put trash collectors?

14. Stratification: Conflict
Competition over scare resources = social inequality
Groups within society compete for these resources
In power group will set the rules to its advantage
Weakness:
Doesn’t recognize that unequal rewards are based on skill, talent & drive
Not everyone suited for every pattern in social structure
Ex: is everyone going to be successful in college? Is a college degree a guarantee of a higher income?

15. Determining Class in America
US fairly open class system; anti discrimination laws encourage open movement
In theory, Americans have equal access to resources for social advancement
But US has wide range of social classes; but mobility not equal
Houses from the
Gilded Age:
One of John J. Astor’s
mansions Vs
a Tenement House
in NYC

16. US Class System Possible bias???
Most sociologist agree there is a 6 class system
Upper class
Upper middle class
Lower middle class
Working class
Working poor
underclass
Three techniques to determine:
Reputational method: individuals are asked to determine other’s social rank
Subjective method: individuals determine their own rank
Objective method: sociologists determine rank based on income, occupation & education
Possible bias???

18. Social Mobility
Social mobility- the movement between or within social classes; can be horizontal or vertical
Horizontal mobility
Vertical mobility
Intergenerational mobility- status change between generations within a family
Majority of Americans tend to reach a higher occupation status than their parent, but tend to remain in the same social class
Sociologists focus on what causes the changes in social mobility
Technology
Merchandising
Level of education
economy

19. Social Mobility The movement between or within social classes
Horizontal- movement within a class system (change jobs/careers, income the same)
Vertical- rewards & gains that push person up a social class (Bill Gates)
Intragenerational mobility- changes in social position during person’s life
Intergenerational mobility- status differences between generations in the same family
US people are “free” to reach their own particular level of achievement
Sociologists study the causes of social status change
Increase in education
Advances in technology
Changes in merchandising

20. Upper Class
Small segment of the population, but controls much of country’s wealth
“old money”: Rockefellers, Vanderbilt's, Kennedys
Wealth continues for generations
Life revolves around the best schools & lifestyles
“new money”:
Acquired wealth thru own gains
Less prestigious
Looked down upon by the old money class
All part of a segment of society that carries power & influence
“I Wanna Be Rich”- Calloway
“Money For Nothing- Dire Straits

21. Middle Class Wedding Singer
Upper Middle Class: high income earners- business professionals, college educated
Live in large houses, expensive cars, yearly vacations
Politically & socially active
Influence is limited to the community
Lower Middle Class: white collar jobs, not manual labor
Require less labor
Middle management & small business owners
Comfortable living- bills are paid, life is good”
The Working Class- factory workers & tradesmen; blue collar work
Some jobs pay more than those in lower middle class (specialized labor: plumbers)
Pink collar- “women's work” clerical
Few financial recourses
Material World

22. Lower Classes Working Poor: lowest paying jobs, temporary & seasonal
Rarely make a living wage
High school drop outs
Future prospects limited
The Underclass: families experience unemployment & poverty over several generations
Some work, but steady employment struggle
Rely on public assistance
Life is a day to day struggle
Only 50% of children make it to a higher class
Mr. Magoo Christmas Carol: Cratchit family being thankful for what they have

24. Poverty
37 million people= 13% of the population live below poverty level
Millions others whose incomes are above poverty level, but still struggle to get by
Poverty- standard of living that is below the minimum level considered adequate
Relative measure- what it means to be poor in US different in other countries
Poverty level is calculated by figuring how much it costs to provide an adequate diet
Amount multiplied by 3 as 1/3 of income spent on food
Adjusted yearly
Debated over accuracy as that formula made in the 1960s
Should dollar amount include new modern necessities?
Ex: 100 yrs ago electricity & water were luxuries; now necessities
Cell phones, internet….?

26. Variations on American Poverty
Age, gender, race & ethnicity play a factor
Children under 18 = 33% of those living in poverty
African American & Hispanic children greater number
57% are women, head ½ of poor households

27. Effects of Poverty
Life Chances- likelihood that individuals have of sharing in benefits & opportunities of society
Vary by social class
Lower classes have fewer opportunities
Increased health problems for lower classes; less likely to see a doctor
Shorter life expectancy
Inadequate nutrition (teens in Great Depression; US struggled with WWII draft numbers)
Too expensive to go to doctor
Work in high risk injury jobs
Educational opportunities are also limited- area schools poorly funded; students struggle to balance job & school
Increase in crime

28. 30 days minimum wage
Psychology- emotions in your brain