Today:Social StratificationTheories

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” George Sheehan, Philosopher

Extra Credit Options on Website

• All extra credit due Dec 4th/5th (1 week before finals)• Must be typed and handed in, not e-mailed

What is social stratification?

• Institutionalized pattern of inequality

• Some people get more access to resources than others

• Reflecting inequalities in life chances

Conflict PerspectiveKarl Marx:•Ruling class controls the economic system for its own benefit •Exploits and oppresses the masses

Conflict PerspectiveOccupy Wall Street Protests

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgr3DiqWYCI

Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Poverty persists because it performs some positive function

Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view:

•Provides society with people willing to do less desirable jobs•Provides jobs •Provides a market for lesser goods

Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view

• Talents are rewarded• All positions in a society (doctors - janitors)

must be filled• Poverty discourages people

from neglecting their social duties

Functionalist Perspective

• Criticized because not all careers are rewarded for their value in society

Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

Major institutions in society not functioning properly

1. bad economy

Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

Major institutions in society not functioning properly

2. bad schools

Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

Major institutions in society not functioning properly

3. family breakdown

Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

Major institutions in society not functioning properly

4. problems with government assistance

Causes of PovertySymbolic Interactionist Perspective

Culture of poverty: viewing problematic behaviors (selling drugs, dropping out of school, not having a job) as normal

Causes of PovertyInteractionist Perspective- 1st view

People get used to living in povertyHave difficulty changing the situation Criticized because it seems to “blame the victim”

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 2nd view

Labels of poor: View of wealthy:

•irresponsible•lazy•low motivation•low ability•low morals

•capable•hard working•motivated•deserving of wealth •evil, greedy, undeserving

How has U.S. policy influenced social stratification?

View: The Way We Live. Ups and Downs of Social Stratification

The American Dream-Rags to Riches

“America is the land of opportunities, anyone who works hard enough can achieve anything and accomplish any goal.”

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?Why?

5:15-17:30

The American Dream-Rags to Riches

This belief called Horatio Alger myth: belief that due to limitless possibilities anyone can get ahead if he or she tries hard enough

What is social class?Max Weber: people who rank closely to one another in terms of:

class/wealth power prestige

1864-1920

Property and income minus debt

Ability to get others to do what you want

Level of respect an individual or their position demands

Status consistent vs. Status inconsistentRank equally on all = Status Consistent Status inconsistent =not equal on all 3 measures of class

class/wealth power prestige

Property and income minus debt

Ability to get others to do what you want

Level of respect an individual or their position demand

What is social class?• Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and “have-nots” • based on the means of production • 2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat

Lawyer who works for a firm and clients

Independent cab driver who owns his taxi

1818 –1883 *Bourgeois= adjective

C. Wright MillsPower EliteKey people in three major institutions of modern society:

1916-1962

government military

economy

Power Elite• Small group of people who control a high amount of wealth and access to decision-making of global consequence

Capitalism A Love Story

View Capitalism A Love Story Michael Moore

Extra credit option

Which explanation of poverty applies best to today’s economic crisis?

a. Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation

b. Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities due to the label

c. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it motivates people to seek higher rewards

d. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have money and power

Extra Credit OpportunityVideo Review

View Mammoth

Coming up:

Next Class: Health-Read article on website College Students’ Health