Unit 7: Social Stratification

Unit 7: Social StratificationSocial StratificationSocial Stratification: Division of society into categories, ranks, or classes based on certain characteristics Levels and types of characteristics vary from society to society Statuses (achieved and ascribed) determine position as well as other thinks like talent and effort Social Inequality: Unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards Think about this.What criteria would you use to stratify a society if it were up to you to decide how best to distribute scarce resources and social rewards? Types of Stratification SystemsClosed System: Movement between the strata (status levels) is impossibleOpen System: Movement between strata is possible Ease of movement between strata depends on openness in the system There are 2 basic types of systems: Caste and Class Caste SystemCaste System: Scarce resources and social rewards are distributed on bases of ascribed statuses (assigned at birth) and lasts foreverChilds status is determined by parent People can move up within caste, but not to a different caste MarriageForbid exogamy (marriage outside ones own social category) Allows endogamy (marriage within ones own social category) Common in South Asia India is best example

Indias Caste SystemCasteOccupationBrahmansPriests, scholarsKshatriyasRulers, nobles, soldiersVaisyas Merchants, bankers, businesspeopleSudrasLaborers, artisans (skilled craftsman)Harijans or Dalits (Outcast)Limited to the most undesirable tasks Indian Caste System SegmentThis segment is about the traditional caste system in India, which the reporter indicates is fading slowly. The caste system is an ancient form of social ranking into which people are born. The reporter explains that the lower castes were historically considered to be untouchables by the higher castes and had no way of changing their lot in life. Now, however, the lower castes are seeking reform. They want access to education and the ability to better themselves. Indias social structure is changing in an evolutionary way, with caste-based notions of peoples rights and social status giving way gradually to the democratic ideals of equal opportunity and the rights of individuals. Indian Caste System SegmentWhile viewing take a mental note of the following things:Describe the nature of Indias caste system Explain why members of the lower castes are seeking reform Name 3 or more of the demands put forth by lower caste reformersPredict how Indias social structure is likely to change over the coming decades Class SystemClass System: Distribution of scarce resources and rewards is determined on the basis of achieved status (status that is attained)People can easily move up or down Marx defines social class in terms of who owns the means of production (materials and methods used to produce goods and services) Society is divided into 2 groups: Bourgeoisie: Those who own means of production in a capitalist society Proletariat: Those who own only their labor and sell that labor in exchange for wagesBourgeoisie profit while proletariat do all the work

DiscussionNow that you know the difference between caste system and class system:

Which system do you think is better? What are the pros and cons of each system?Dimensions of Social StratificationWeber expanded on Marxs ideas about the class systems and believed class consists of 3 major factors (prosperity, prestige, and power) Social class: Grouping of people with a similar levels of wealth, power, and prestige

Social Class: WealthWealth: Made up of a persons assets (value of everything a person owns) and income ($ earned) Social Class: PowerPower: Ability to control the behavior of others, with or without their consentCan be based on force, possession of a special skill, or type of knowledgeSocial Class: Prestige Prestige: Respect, honor, recognition, or courtesy an individual receives from other members of society Can be based on any characteristics a society or group considers important Common factors that determine prestige: income, occupation, education, family background, area of residence, possessions, and club membership Occupation is the most important Socioeconomic Status (SES): Rating that combines social factors such as educational level, occupational prestige, and place of residence with the economic factor of income in order to determine an individuals relative position in the stratification system Which would you rather have:

WealthPowerPrestige Explaining Stratification: FunctionalistView stratification as a necessary feature of the social structure Assumes that certain roles inn society must be performed if the system is to be maintained The more important the role and the more skill needed to perform the role, the higher the rewardClaim that without varying rewards, many jobs would not be filled and society could not function smoothlyCritiques Fails to consider that not everyone in society has equal access to such resources as education and without this access people are unlikely to obtain high-status occupationsIgnores the likelihood that there may be many talented people in lower classes and because of stratification these people may be prevented from making a contribution to society It cannot explain why rewards sometimes do not reflect the social value of the role (Why should movie stars command such high incomes?) Explaining Stratification: Conflict See competition over scarce resources as cause of social inequality Base work on Marxist theory Stratification comes from class exploitation (owners of means of production control working class in order to make a profit and keep power) Many theorists take a broader viewVarious groups within society compete with one another for scarce resources When a group gains power, it is able to shape public policy and public opinion to its own advantage (maintains position of power) Critiques: Fails to recognize that unequal rewards are based, in part, on differences in talent, skill, and desire Not everyone is suited for every position in the social structure

Explaining Stratification: BothSome sociologists try to blend functionalist and conflict theory Ralf DahrendorfEach approach may be used to explain specific aspects of stratification Functionalist: Helps explain why people are willing to spend years training to become doctors and lawyers Conflict: Helps explain why children of wealthy people tend to go to the best colleges Gerhard LenskiAsserts that usefulness of theory depends on the society under study Functionalist: State that stratification system functions because members of society accept it (apply to simple societies where survival depends on cooperation)Conflict: Ruling group emerges from struggle and social inequality develops as this groups takes steps to maintain its position (apply to more complex societies where people struggle to control wealth and power) Explaining Stratification: Symbolic InteractionSocial inequality determines how people interact with each other Higher status people tend to show off their power and show disrespect to the poor Activity: Songs of StratificationConsider the following concepts and issues that relate to social stratification in America: wealth, poverty, welfare, slums, mansions, the work ethic, the American dreamMany of these concepts may be found in your favorite songsFor the assignment:Select a piece of music that expresses a concept of social stratificationYou will need to write on a sheet of paper the following: Name of Song Artist/GroupType of Music (Genre) Social Stratification Concept(s) Presented in Lyrics Analyze How the Lyrics Express This ConceptQuote a Lyric or Phrase From the Song That Best Represents The Social Stratification Concept of Your Song

We maylisten to some of the songs in class, so please pick appropriate musicThink about thisConsider social stratification in the school. What social classes are found in the school?What are some of the characteristics used to distinguish those classes?

The American Class System Determining Social Class Sociologists on 3 basic techniques to rank individuals according to social class Reputational Method: Individuals in community are asked to rank other community members based on what they know of their characters and lifestyles Suitable only when studying small communities Subjective Method: Individuals asked to determine their own social rank Objective Method: Sociologists define social class by income, occupation, and education Statistical bases of this method makes it the least biased Problem involves the selection and measurement of social factors

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each method? Social Classes in US: Upper ClassMakes up 1% of the population and controls most of the countrys wealth Can be divided into 2 groups: Old MoneyFamilies whose bulk of wealth comes from inheritance and have been wealthy for generation (Rockefellers, Kennedys, etc) Name, accomplishments, and fortune are important to social rank New Money Newly richAcquired wealth through their own effortsNot as prestigious as old money because it is not backed by a long family heritage, but it does allow for most of the same privileges Membership sometimes carries great power and influenceSocial Class in the US: Upper Middle ClassPrimarily high-income business people and professionalsMost have college education Class membership generally based on income rather than assets Many are career orientedPolitically and socially active Power and influence are limited to the community level Social Class in the US: Lower Middle Class Hold white-collar jobs (work that doesnt involve manual labor)Jobs require less education and provide lower income than jobs of upper middle class Include owners of small businesses, nurses, middle management, and sales professionalsLive comfortable life, but most work hard to keep what they have and many hold traditional values and are conservatives Social Class in the US: Working Class Many hold jobs that require manual labor Factory workers, tradespeople, less skilled workers, some service workers (blue-collar jobs) Jobs pay well, but do not hold much prestige Others hold jobs that do not require manual labor Clerical , lower-level sales, service jobs (pink-collar jobs b/c traditionally held by women) Many have few financial reserves and unexpected crises can push working-class individuals into lower class levels Social Class in the US: Working Poor Work at lowest-paying jobs Often seasonal or temporaryHousecleaning, migrant farmwork, and day laboring Work very hard, yet hardly make a living wage Many depend on government support programs to make ends meet Most are high school dropouts and future prospects are bleak Most no politically involved because they believe situation will stay the same regardless of which party is in power Social Class in the US: Underclass Families that have experienced unemployment and poverty over several generations Some do work, but usually only at undesirable, low-paying jobs Chief source of income is often public assistance Day-to-day struggle American Class System Graphic OrganizerComplete the following table :

Be prepared to explain why you put those occupations in those categories Each group will be assigned a class, and you will create a collage representing that social class

ClassDescription Occupations (2-3) Upper ClassUpper Middle Class Lower Middle Class Working Class Working PoorUnderclass Social MobilitySocial Mobility: Movement between or within social classes or strataImportant feature of open class systemThere are 3 types Horizontal Mobility: Movement within a social class or stratum Move does not involve major change to wealth, power, or prestige Ex: Moves from 1 job to another Vertical Mobility: Movement between social classes or strataEither upward or downward Ex: Monetary and social rewards of promotion from a secretarial to management position which moves person from working class to lower middle Intergenerational Mobility: Status differences between generations of the same family Special form of vertical mobility Focus on differences between peoples class origin (parents social class) and their current social positionEx: Son/daughter of a mechanic becomes a doctor or lawyer Although most people achieve a higher occupational status than their parents, most remain within the same social class

Structural Causes of Upward MobilityStructural factors that affect upward mobility include: Advances in technology When technologies change, jobs available to workers also change which can result in downward mobility for individuals caught in the shift, but means upward mobility for the next generation workers Changes in merchandising patternsChanges include: explosion in credit industrygreater emphasis on insurancerise in real-estate transactionsextraordinary growth in personal services This created a larger white-collar workforce Rise in populations general level of education Mobility increases with education

Structural Causes of Downward MobilityDownward mobility can result from:Personal factors: IllnessDivorceWidowhood Retirement Changes in economy (primary cause)Ex: Technological advances have put many people out of workEconomic changes can affect intergenerational mobility Ex: In hard economic times, even highly qualified recent college graduates have difficulty finding a job in their chosen jobs

Raleighs Invisible HomelessThe New Poor of FresnoIn New Orleans Blighted HousesJournal Activity: Analyze the patterns of stratification in your own familyDevelop a chart that compares aspects of social stratification mobility between:You grandparentsYour parentsYourself todayYourself in 2023For each generation write down: Education level Economic levelOccupationLife-styleImportant ascribed statusesImportant achieved statuses Amount of mobility taking place (for the year 2023 write down what you feel you will have at that time)

Journal Activity Compare the patterns of stratification and mobility between generations and analyze why any changes between generations have occurred. See if levels of mobility, occupation, stratification, and education have changed Analyze the reasons why changes have occurred.What factors seem to promote or discourage mobility and the change in stratification patterns? What theory of stratification seems best to explain these changes?

PovertyPovertyWhat are some words that come to mind when you think of poverty? PovertyPoverty: Standard of living that is below the minimum level considered adequate by society Changes from society to society

Defining Poverty in the US US Bureau of the Census defines poverty in terms of the poverty line (minimum annual income needed by a family to survive) Poverty level is determined by calculating cost of providing an adequate diet then multiplying by 3 because research says poor spend 1/3 of income on food Poverty line changes from year to year 2014 Poverty Guidelines for 48 Contiguous States and the D.C.Family SizePoverty Level ($) 1 person 11,6702 persons15,7303 persons19,7904 persons23,8505 persons27,9106 persons31,9707 persons36,0308 persons40,090>8 personsadd 4,060 per personhttp://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/14poverty.cfmAmerican PovertyCharacteristics that affect poverty Age Children have largest % of povertySex Women make up larger segments Women head about of all poor families Race and Ethnicity Blacks and Hispanics are more likely than whites to live in poverty The Effects of Poverty Life Chances = Likelihood that individuals have of sharing in opportunities and benefits of society Include: health, length of life, housing, education The lower the social class, the lower the life chances Poor are at a disadvantage of health and length of life Life Expectancy = Average number of years a person born in a particular year can expect to live Differences in life expectancy are dramatic in the case of infants Reasons for ill health and a shorter life expectancy among poor Inadequate nutrition Less access to medical care Educational life chances are also limited The Effects of PovertyPatterns of behavior Certain factors vary depending on social class Divorce rates are higher More likely to be arrested, convicted, and sent to prison Police pursue them more aggressively because they are more likely to commit crimes More likely to be victims because crimes usually happen in those areas Government Response to PovertyIn 1964, President LBJ declared a war on poverty to improve the lives of the poor, since then the government has taken an active role in attempting to decrease inequality Poverty rate for 65 and older is lower due to an increase in Social Security and Medicare Government attempts to decrease inequality through social welfare programs Government programs use 2 approaches Transfer payments = Redistribute $ among various segments of society Involves taking % of $ collected through taxes and funneling it to groups that need public assistance Subsidies = Transfer goods and services rather than $ Ex: Food Stamps, School lunch programs, Medicaid From 1980s to now people have wanted reform to social welfare because critics argue that the system created a permanent welfare class who live off assistance rather than work

Discussion What is the relationship between class and language?