Exploring Social Inequality & Difference

G674

G674

2 Hour Exam in June Source Material 2 Questions on Methodology 2 Questions on Issues of Inequality &

Difference in Contemporary UK Requires knowledge gained across 2

year programme

Discuss

Do you think the contemporary UK is an equal or unequal society?

Would you prefer to live in a society based on equality or inequality? Why?

Who do you think holds power in the contemporary UK?

Defining Social Inequality

Write a short definition of what you understand by the term ‘social inequality’?

Ext: - How do you think the term social inequality differs from the term ‘social

difference’?

Social Inequality

Social inequalities involve an element of social advantage or disadvantage for some groups or individuals over others…related to people’s share of material and cultural resources. (Payne; 2006)

The UK remains one of the most unequal societies in the developed world. (Cooke & Oppenheim; 2008)

Activity: APOCALYPSE NOW!!!

The following list of people are the occupants of your bomb shelter.

There is only enough room and provisions for seven of them (plus yourself). Therefore, you have to choose which seven of them to send outside to die.

Justify your decisions.

Activity

Computer programmer (Male; 37) Scientist (M; 50)Baby (F; 6m) Schoolgirl (F; 8)Farmer (M; 45) Famous Writer (M; 56)MP (Male; 40)Teenager (M; 14)Priest (M; 67)Suspected IRA Terrorist (F; 28)Sociology Teacher (F; 30)Footballer (M; 22)Housewife (F; 25)Her Husband (M; 27)

Social Inequality

Beteille (1986) There has always been social

inequality: It is natural. It even exists within the smallest tribes.

Discuss: So social inequality within human societies is natural and should not be

challenged?Should we never challenge that which is

‘natural’?

Social Inequality

Every society is therefore stratified; divided into a hierarchy of social groups.

Depending on the stratification system of a society, there are advantages and disadvantages linked to income, wealth, occupation, ethnicity, gender, age etc.

Humans dream of equal societies...but we have yet to create one.

Social Status

This is the sociological term that describes how important someone is in their society. Status can be gained in two ways:

AscribedAchieved

Give examples for each.

Social Inequality

The ease/ability to change one’s status within a society demonstrates how socially open or socially closed that society is:

Openness Closure

Lots of opportunity to change social position.

No opportunity to change social position

ACTIVITY: Research and...

For each of the following societies, identify a characteristic that impacts people’s life chances:

Northern Ireland The Old Soviet Union Israel The USA Deep South The old South Africa

Activity

Complete the worksheet…

The Hindu Caste System

Brahmins (priests and nobles)Kshatriyas/Rajputs (warriors, rulers, landowners)Vaishyas (merchants, traders, farmers)Shudras (servants, labourers, manual workers)Outcasts/untouchables

Caste is ascribed at birth and there is little chance of social mobility.Some argue the UK class system is not so different.

Other stratification systems

The Feudal System (nobles, clergy, commoners)

Slavery Capitalism (a class system based on

people’s positions in the market).

Copy & CompleteDrink Age Sex Class

Champagne cocktail

A pint of bitter

Gin & Tonic

Half-Lager and Lime

Double Whisky

Mackeson

Perrier Water

Glass of white wine

Dry Martini (shaken, not stirred)

Half a Cider

Social InequalityWealth & Income

Definitions

What do you think is meant by the word ‘Wealth’?

How is this different from ‘income’?

Definitions

WEALTH is property in the form of assets which can be sold for cash

Productive property Consumption property

INCOME is the money people receive Earned income Unearned income

Activity

Examine the sources on your handout and answer the questions provided.

Pairs; 5 mins

Discuss

Who are the ‘wealthy’ people in our society?

How do we decide whether or not someone is ‘wealthy’?

Activity:

Rank the following in terms of their importance in shaping economic inequalities in the UK:

THE JOBS PEOPLE DO GENDER ETHNIC IDENTITY THE FAMILY THEY WERE BORN INTO THE REGION OF THE COUNTRY THEY WERE BORN

IN THEIR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION HOW OLD THEY ARE

Homework

Find out who are the ten richest individuals in the UK today, and how much each is worth.

http://www.therichest.com/rich-list/nation/sunday-times-rich-list/

Written Task

Outline and evaluate two ways in which UK society is stratified.

(15 mins)