1 social stratification. 2 division of society into layers (strata) occupants of different social...
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Social StratificationSocial Stratification
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Social StratificationSocial Stratification Division of society into layers (strata) Occupants of different social strata
have unequal access to social opportunities and rewards Power: Ability to do what you want
despite obstacles Power Elite: Those who make the big
decisions in the U.S. Wealth and power go hand in hand
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Social ClassSocial Class Group of individuals who occupy
similar social statuses Includes educational level,
occupation, political influence, economic position
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Structure of StratificationStructure of Stratification Closed system
Position in social hierarchy is ascribed
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Structure of StratificationStructure of Stratification Open system
Position in social hierarchy is achieved Social mobility is possible
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Structure of StratificationStructure of Stratification Functionalist perspective:
Complex societies depend on individuals occupying a variety of positions
Societies develop systems of unequal rewards
Meritocracy: Position in social hierarchy is determined
by individual merit Based on equality of opportunity, not
equality of outcome
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Social MobilitySocial Mobility Movement up or down
socioeconomic ladder Upward Mobility:Upward Mobility:
Better off than one’s parents Better off than one used to be in a
lifetime Downward Mobility:Downward Mobility:
Worse off than one’s parents Worse off than one once was
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Social MobilitySocial Mobility Movement up or down
socioeconomic ladder Structural Mobility:Structural Mobility:
Structural changes in society ‘push’ and ‘pull’ people into higher and lower social levels
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The American Class SystemThe American Class System
Capitalist Class
Upper Middle Class
Middle Class
Working Class
Working Poor
Underclass
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Distribution of Wealth and Distribution of Wealth and IncomeIncome Income:
Money people earn from wages/salaries, interest, investments, etc.
Wealth: Things people own; assets (stocks, real
estate, savings bonds, cars, consumer goods)
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Distribution of WealthDistribution of Wealth
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Distribution of IncomeDistribution of Income
Top 1 percent
Next 19 percent
Bottom 80 percent
1982 12.8 39.1 48.1
1988 16.6 38.9 44.5
1991 15.7 40.7 43.7
1994 14.4 40.8 44.9
1997 16.6 39.6 43.8
2000 20.0 38.7 41.4
CEO vs. Factory WorkerCEO vs. Factory Worker
CEOs' pay as a multiple of the average worker's pay
2005=411:1; European average=25:1
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Poverty in AmericaPoverty in America 2003: Over 36 million Americans
(almost 14% of our population) officially poor
Poverty line: Governmental estimate of minimum budget for families of different sizes 2003: $18,400 for a family of 4
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Poverty in AmericaPoverty in America Who are the poor?
For most, poverty is a temporary condition
Non-Latino whites: 48% Single moms living alone: 37% Majority of poor live in suburbs, small
towns, and rural areas (58%) Proportion of children who are poor has
climbed (now about 20%)
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What does it cost to be poor in the What does it cost to be poor in the US? US? Costs more than being middle class:
Bank accounts Loans for cars and houses Car insurance Health care Housing Furniture & other essentials
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What does it cost to be poor in the What does it cost to be poor in the US? US? Costs more than being middle class:
“Ghetto tax” Ghetto originally used to describe an
urban neighborhood of a minority segregated from rest of the city
Now commonly used to describe poor, deteriorating, inner-city neighborhoods
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Explaining Ghetto PovertyExplaining Ghetto Poverty ‘Underclass’ explanation:
Acute, chronic poverty Culture of poverty: No work ethic, no
family values, no respect for law and order
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Explaining Ghetto PovertyExplaining Ghetto Poverty William Julius Wilson:
Ghetto poverty a result of the combination of
Joblessness due to deindustrialization Social isolation
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Explaining Ghetto PovertyExplaining Ghetto Poverty Christopher Jencks:
Questions the existence of special category of poor as ‘ghetto poor’
Assuming these problems are linked together perpetuates stereotypes
This excuses inaction
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Global StratificationGlobal Stratification Most industrialized nations
Industrializing nations
Least industrialized nations
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Theories of Global Theories of Global StratificationStratification Colonialism
Industrial nations use technology, military power to exploit labor, resources of weaker nations
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Theories of Global Theories of Global StratificationStratification Dependency Theory
Poverty in poor nations the result of exploitation by wealthy nations
Related to colonialism—Colonies were encouraged to develop one or two prime exports
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Theories of Global Theories of Global StratificationStratification World System Theory
World economic system must be seen as a unit
Core countries Semiperipheral countries Peripheral countries
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