Social StratificationSection 1: Systems of StratificationSection 2: The American Class SystemSection 3: Poverty

Objectives:Identify the characteristics of caste systems and class systems.Contrast the major theories of social stratification.Section 1: Systems of Stratification

social stratification division of society into categories, ranks, or classescan be based on either achieved or ascribed statuscan be open or closedsocial inequality the unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewardsCharacteristics of Caste and Class SystemsSection 1: Systems of Stratification

Characteristics of Caste and Class SystemsCaste System:Closed and lifelongImmobility and inherited statusBased on specific occupationsAscribed statusexogamy, endogamyClass System:Open and mobileReward is determined by achieved statusProperty, prestige, and power are important (Weber)bourgeoisie, proletariatSection 1: Systems of Stratification

social class grouping of people with similar levels of wealth, power, and prestigewealth made up of assets (value of everything one owns) and income (money earned through salaries, investments, or capital gainsin the U.S. the richest 1% of the population controls more than 1/3 of the wealthchart page 208Dimensions of Social StratificationSection 1: Systems of Stratification

power the ability to control the behavior of others, with or without their consentbased on force, possession of special skills, knowledge, social status, personal characteristics, custom/traditionprestige respect, honor, recognition, or courtesy an individual receives from other members of societybased on income, occupation , education, family, residences, possessions, club membershipschart page 209 socioeconomic status SES, rating that combines social factors such as educational level, occupational prestige, residence, income, used to determine an individuals relative position in the stratification system

Dimensions of Social StratificationSection 1: Systems of Stratification

Major Theories of Social StratificationFunctionalist Theorists view stratification as a necessary feature of the social structure and argue that the more important a role and the more skill needed to perform it, the higher the reward, without varying rewards may jobs would not be filled and society could not functionfails to recognize not everyone has equal access to resources, ignores the talented in lower classes that because of stratification may not be able to contribute to society, cannot explain why rewards sometimes do not reflect the social value of a roleSection 1: Systems of Stratification

Conflict Theorists view stratification as a result of conflict over scarce resources and argue that groups gain power then use that power to maintain it, based on Marxfails to recognize that unequal rewards are based on differences in talent, skill, and desire

Major Theories of Social StratificationSection 1: Systems of Stratification

Objectives:Identify the characteristics of the American class system.Explain how different motivations and cultural values influence the American class system.Section 2: The American Class System

open systemlaw forbids discrimination based on ascribed characteristics such as race or genderin theory, all have equal access to resourcesrate of social mobility is not equal for all segments of societyThe American Class SystemSection 2: The American Class System

reputational method individuals are asked to rank other community members based on what they know of their character and lifestylesubjective method individuals are asked to determine their own social rankobjective method sociologists define social class by income, occupation, and educationDetermining Social ClassSection 2: The American Class System

1% upper class14% upper-middle class30% lower-middle class30% working class22% working poor3% underclassmajor difference in classes is income, lifestyle, beliefschart page 214Social Classes in the United StatesSection 2: The American Class System

The American Class SystemUpper Class attend prestigious universities; owners of large businesses, investors, heirs to family fortunes, top business executives; 1 percent of populationUpper Middle Class attend college or university, business executives, professionals; 14 percent of populationLower Middle Class high school, some college; lower-level managers skilled craftworkers, supervisors; 30 percent of populationSection 2: The American Class System

The American Class SystemWorking Class high school education; factory workers, clerical workers, lower level salespeople, some craft-workers; 30 percent of populationWorking Poor some high school; laborers, service workers; 22 percent of populationUnderclass some high school; undesirable, low-paying jobs, unemployed, on welfare; 3 percent of populationSection 2: The American Class System

social mobility the movement between or within social classes or stratahorizontal mobility movement within a social classvertical mobility movement between social classes, upward or downwardintergenerational mobility status differences between generations in the same family (parents social class vs. their own current class)structural factors that affect upward mobility include advances in technology, changes in merchandising patterns, and increase in education

Social MobilitySection 2: The American Class System

Motivations and Cultural Values Influence the American Class SystemValues influence Americans to try to do better financially than their parents and to help their children do the sameMost Americans remain in the same social class as their parentsSection 2: The American Class System

Objectives:Identify the groups of Americans that are affected by poverty.Describe the steps that have been taken by the federal government to lessen the effects of poverty.Section 3: Poverty

More than 31 million people (11% of the population) live below the poverty level.poverty a standard of living that is below the minimum level considered adequate by society, a relative measurepoverty level defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census, the minimum annual income needed by a family to survive

Defining PovertySection 3: Poverty

Poverty Level:determined by calculating the cost of providing an adequate diet, based on the U.S. Dept. of Agricultures minimum nutritional standardsthis number is then multiplied by three (research has indicated that poor people spend 1/3 of their income on food)adjusted each year to reflect the cost of livingusually stated for a family of 4chart page 221reconsiderations based on changes in spending habits since the 1960s

Defining PovertySection 3: Poverty

Groups Affected By PovertyAge children are the largest group (37%); three times more African American and Hispanic children are poor than whitesGender women are the largest segment (57%); female-headed households account for about half of all poor familiesRace and Ethnicity African Americans and Hispanics are far more likely than white Americans to be poorSection 3: Poverty

The Effects of PovertyPoor and wealthy members of society differ in the range of their life chances and behavior patterns.life chances the likelihood that individuals have of sharing in the opportunities and benefits of societyhealth, life expectancy, housing, educationthe lower the social class, the less opportunity to share in the benefit of societylife expectancy the average number of years a person born in a particular year can expect to liveinadequate nutrition and less access to medial careSection 3: Poverty

patterns of behaviorhigher divorce rate committing crimepeople living in poverty are more likely to commit crimes that police pursue more aggressivelyvictims of crime

The Effects of PovertySection 3: Poverty

Government Responses To PovertyGovernment attempts to reduce inequality through various social-welfare programs using two approaches:Transfer Payments redistribution of money among various segments of society; taking a percentage of the money collected through taxes and funneling it to groups that need public assistance (poor, unemployed, elderly, disabledSupplemental Security Income (SSI): provides income support for people age 65 and older, the blind, and disabled with childrenTemporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): cash payments to families with childrenSection 3: Poverty

Subsidies - transfer goods and services rather than cashFood Stamp Program: people receive coupons or cards that can be used to buy foodhousing, school lunchesMedicaid: health insurance program for the poorMedicare: government-sponsored health insurance program for people 65 and older

Government Responses To PovertySection 3: Poverty

Sociology*Chapter 9*