STRATIFACATION IN SOCIETY

Chapters 7 and 8

• This refers to the unequal distribution of wealth , power and resources on a local (micro) and global (macro) scale.

• The income gap between the richest nations and the poorest nations has only gotten wider over the last 40 years.

Who cares ?• We often never think about how a global

economy can effect other nations….if fact as Canadians we have the lechery of not thinking about such things at all.

• How does our economy impact others ?• What social issues face developing nations ?• What issues are we blind too ?...... And why do we need

to know about these issues ?

• FACT !! The combined wealth of the three richest men in the world , Bill Gates (Microsoft) , Warren Buffett (Investor) and the Sultan of Brunei is more than the combined wealth of the worlds 48 poorest nations.

• Many of these nations are in huge debt to wealthier nations. These debt payments cause high unemployment , low standards of living and unstable governments.

• The world bank lists nations into three categories.....Low , Middle and High – income economies .

• The U.N. Human Development Index is used to measure a nations development based on life expectancy , education , living standards and gross domestic product.

* Sociologist believe that these lower ranked nations could reach mid level if only they could achieve self sustaining growth.

* Dependency theory :Wealthy nations often exploit poorer nations for their own benefits. Poorer nations are dependent on these low paying employment opportunities.

Approximately One Billion or 1/6 of the world lives in extreme poverty.

• World systems theory suggests that a countries relationship with a global capitalist economy determines it’s economic condition.

‘’ building an economic relationship with the West is essential for a nations growth and or survival ’’.

• The new international division of labour theory suggest that we as high in-come nations are now equally dependent on poorer developing nations for our own survival..... cheap labour , low taxes along with relaxed environmental and work regulations.

Supper tanker scarp yard in India

Supper tanker scarp yard in India

Computer board dump in Indonesia

only about 12% of the e-waste we produce is recycled. The rest will joint the mountains of e-waste which one day might challenge the Himalayas

Yes – these pictures are real, and these children do die of lead and mercury poisoning as they blow-torch or hack their way through millions of circuit boards.Still – there are plenty of children where she came from when she reaches a life expectancy of 15 years. What thought have you given to your electronic waste ?

80% of the worlds population produces only 20% of it’s good’s and services ,earning a much smaller share of it’s income.

A night view of the earth . Note the nations that are industrialized ...... Note Africa

Show 30 DAY’S “ OUTSOURCING “ America losing jobs to India.

Priorities : Annual cost of various goods and services.

• Annual cost in ( U.S. $ Billions )• Basic education for all in the world. 6• Cosmetics in the U.S. only. 8• Water and sanitation for the world 9 • Ice cream in Europe. 11• Basic health and nutrition for the world. 13• Pet food in Europe and U.S. 17• Cigarettes in Europe. 50• Illegal drugs in the world. 400• Military spending for the world. 780

Information = power in a global market .Note the nations that are lagging behind in internet usage .

• Technology has given the world an opportunity to connect at greater levels than ever before. Societies that are already lacking in this innovation will fall further behind.

• The past tells us that it takes a village to raise a child.....the future tells us that the village is global.

Stratification in Canada

• The Caste System: States that our social status is fixed by the families we are born into. In India for example the caste system is a social norm. It can determine a persons occupation , dietary requirements and behavioural restrictions.

• To what existent do you witness a caste system in your own personal life ?

• The Class System a form of stratification based on the amount of resources and occupation of an individual.

• Karl Marx suggested that our society is made up of two groups.....the Capitalist Class , those who own production , factories , mines , mills , land and the Working Class or Proletariat , Those who have to sell their labour to survive.

• Power in society refers to the power one has to influence others / to carry out own goals despite opposition from others.

• Prestige is high social status , entitled to preferential and respectful treatment.

PrestigePower

Prestige Rankings (Canada)

• Doctor 86 pts• Lawyer 75 pts• Professor 74 pts• Pharmacist 68 pts• Nurse RN 66 pts • Teacher 66 pts• Accountant 65 pts • Police Office60 pts• Librarian 54 pts• Firefighter 53 pts• Social Worker 52 pts

• Realtor 49 pts• Secretary 46 pts• Welder 42 pts• Farmer 40 pts• Carpenter 39 pts• Truck Driver 30 pts• Cashier 29 pts• Bartender 25 pts • Labourer 23 pts• Janitor 22 pts• Shoe Shiner 9 pts

Canadian Social Classes• Upper Class • Upper Middle Class• Lower Middle Class• Working Class• Working Poor• Under Class

• Upper Class: Few in number but with great influence. They earn several hundred thousand dollars per year or more. They tend to inherit their money and about 40% inherit all of it.

• They have shaped the tax codes with their influence so that they pay less taxes. Loop-holes are used to ignore federal taxes.

• The top of this class are the Old Rich , the Irving's and Thomson’s who have been rich for generations. The New Money group is next down on the ladder . They are self made!

• Men in this group tend to manage investments and Women can have professions but tend to do charitable work.

• In some cases the New Rich may have more money then the Old Rich but they do not have more Prestige.

• They are very conscious of their class.

• Tend to be white from British ancestry.

New RichOld Rich

• Upper Middle Class : Most have little contact with Upper Class because the very rich use their money to protect their privacy.

• This class tends to be highly visible...the movers and shakers of the community.

• High level professionals both male and female however women work out of choice rather then necessity. This group is financially secure.

• They virtually all hold university degrees and may have graduate degrees from leading institutions.

• They are more ethnically diverse then the upper class.

• Lower Middle Class : Much of our society falls into this class. They are the tax base of the nation.

• They are Managers , Small business owners , Upper clerical workers and Public school teachers. They usually have some college or university education.

• Both spouses must work to maintain a moderately comfortable lifestyle.

• They can take occasional vacations , eat out and drive newer cars.

• Their children are sent off to college / university.• They want their children to continue to move up the

ladder....concerned that they may slip back down .• They are powerless with government and must follow

rules at work set out by upper classes.• As with Upper Middle Class they are active consumers.

• Working Class : About 1/3 of Canadians live here. Skilled and semiskilled manual / labour workers.

• They are Carpenters , Plumbers , Sales people , Office assistance and Cooks.

• Both partners must work outside the home , bills are an issue. Live in modest communities.

• High school educated with some college.• Owning your home / mortgage free is a central goal.

Children may not attend college. • Usually drive used or leased cars.• Fortunate to take a vacation. • Even though rising to a higher class level is encouraged

most will down play it for a sense of moral status....’’ being known as a good person and a hard worker ‘’.

• Working Poor : The name says it all.....they are in a continuous struggle to make ends meet.

• They Work full time , Part time and Seasonal depending on the local economy.

• They are very fortunate to belong to a union and often have no health care plan.

• Female signal parent families are common. • They live in lower end neighbourhoods or rental

units.• May have High School education with little

marketable skills.• Their children are encouraged to work right out of

high school. College / University is not a viable option.

• The Underclass : They are often locked into long term chronic poverty.

• This group receives the majority of classism. Issues.• They are stereotyped as the ‘’welfare class’’. • They lack marketable skills and have little or no

experience in the job market.• The yearly income is under $ 15,000 per year.• Social assistance is the main source of support.• More than One Million children in this county live

with in this level. A sinful fact for such a wealthy nation !.

• Many of these children will be fortunate to even finish high school. They may leave grade 9 or 10 to begin working.

30 Days “ Minimum Wage “

SOCIAL CALSS ....• The average family income in N.S. Is about $60,000 per

year.

• Poverty can be gender based . When a straight couple separates the males financial resources increase while the females decrees considerably. .....why ???

• Separations often occur over finical stressors. When families break up usually the children reside with the mother. Because Women earn less these children tend to live below the poverty line. Over 1,000,000 children experience this in Canada.

• Double and Triple Jeopardy: This term is used to link socially marginalized groups together in a risk category.

• Who are the poor ? They are , in general terms , the disabled , women , the very young and very old and aboriginal people.

• 2/3 of all Canadians living in poverty are women.

• ½ of all aboriginal people in poverty.

• Only ½ of Disabled people are now employed and of that number ½ of them earned less than $ 10,000 per year.

• Assuming a person belongs to two or more of the above groups they are seen as being in Double or Triple jeopardy of becoming poor.

Social Jeopardy• This person experiences M

multiple levels of social jeopardy.

....What are they ???

The End

• Continue to read Chapter 8 on your own for more insight into this topic.