Social Class: The Structure of Inequality Ch. 7

I began to see a trend of articles like this one around the recession and shortly after. Ask yourself, why do people play the lotto? What kind of people play the lotto (do rich billionaires play it for example, or working/poor classes? Think critically - if there is a spike in sales of lotto tickets, what does that say about the economy, about society, about people? Desperate? Hopeful?

Social Stratification Social Stratification – the division of society into groups arranged in a social hierarchy. System in which large groups of people are divided into layers according to their relative power, property, and prestige Exists within society Affects our life chances and orientations to life based on our class Unequal and relatively permanent Social inequality – the unequal distribution of wealth, power, or prestige among members of a society.

Questions for Consideration What are the major social classes in the U.S.? For which class is inherited wealth most important? How are one’s education and occupation related to one’s social class?

Dimensions of Stratification The Economic Dimension Marx viewed economics as the foundation of social classes. Social class is determined by one’s relationship to the means of production. Bourgeoisie – the rulers; exploit Proletariat – those who are ruled; revolt Classless society Believed that all other social institutions were based on the economic structure

Dimensions of Stratification The Economic Dimension Weber identified several different social classes based on the consequences of their relationship to the economic institution. Wealth that consists of property (what we own) and income (money we receive). Likelihood of achieving education, housing, health, food, etc., based on access to economic resources.

Economic Inequality in America Some interesting statistics to hopefully piss you guys off: “CEO Pay Jumped 11%” by Joann Lublin (WSJ) For the past 30 years income inequality has been increasing. The U.S. is now the most economically unequal of all major Western countries. In 2009, 43.6 million people were living in poverty yet there were only 7 million millionaires and 800 billionaires. Between 1990 and 2005 CEO income increased about 300% while workers income increased just 4.3%

Dimensions of Stratification The Power Dimension Power is the ability to control others, even over their objections. Expert knowledge, special skills, fame, and social position Mills – “Power Elite” Big decision makers in U.S. society

Dimensions of Stratification The Prestige Dimension Prestige is the respect or regard people give to various occupations and accomplishments. In US occupations are the primary source of prestige. Occupations with highest prestige: Pay more Require more education Entail more abstract thought Offer greater autonomy Valuable = people must acknowledge it.

Power Prestige Wealth

Explanations of Stratification Functionalist Theory Stratification is inevitable Positions have to be filled and some positions are more important than others More important positions need to be filled by more qualified people = greater rewards Critical Thinking – Where does Functionalist theory fall short? Are some positions really more important? Example: Entertainer vs. President; Electrician vs. Professor Barriers to fair competition due to lack of access. Example: Racial/Ethnic groups, women, the disabled etc. Meritocracy? Example: Best predictor of College entrance is family income not ability Stratification is dysfunctional, thus not functional.

Explanations of Stratification Conflict Theory Stress that conflict, not function, is the basis of social stratification Stratification exists because those with more power and wealth are willing to exploit others with less. Critical Thinking – Where does conflict theory fall short? Conflict theory is based on the class conflict described by Marx Marx’s work not consistent with American system

Symbolic Interactionism and Stratification Symbolic interactionists examine the way we use status differences to categorize ourselves and others. As Erving Goffman pointed out, our clothing, speech, gestures, possessions, friends, and activities provide information about our socioeconomic status. Social stratification persists only as long as its legitimacy is accepted. Symbols explain the existence of stratification to the young and the reasons for people being located in particular strata. Views of legitimacy are incorporated into an individual’s self-concept as well.

Theoretical Perspectives: Social Stratification

Stratification in American Society U.S. Class Structure Social class: a system of stratification based on access to resources such as wealth, property, power, and prestige. Sociologists often refer to social class as socioeconomic status (or SES); based primarily on the possession of money and material goods

The U.S. Social Class Ladder

Consequences of Stratification Life Chances –probability of achieving the positive things in life. Life Expectancy Health/Mental health; medical care Life Style Family Life Divorce Child Rearing Politics Education Criminal Justice System

Social Mobility Social mobility – the movement of individuals or groups within a stratification structure. Movement up or down the social class ladder Difficult to do. Minorities have been denied the opportunity for advancement Significantly impacted by intergenerational assistance. Upper class children = assistance from parents; less likely to move down Lower class children = less likely to move up

Systems of Social Stratification - Slavery Slavery - the most extreme form of social stratification and is based on the legal ownership of people. Causes – old (debt, war, punishment for a crime) vs new Conditions Temporary Not Necessarily Inheritable Not Necessarily Powerless and Poor Slavery in the New World (Early America) Slavery Today – Modern-day slavery persists, illegally, in many forms across the globe (ex. Human sex trafficking)

Caste Stratification System In a caste system Ex. India’s Religion Caste there is no social mobility social status is inherited statuses are ascribed or assigned at birth. Apartheid – the term for the system of segregation of racial and ethnic groups that was legal in South Africa between 1948 and 1991 Example – South Africa – Apartheid; US – Jim Crow Laws

Poverty In the United States, the federal poverty line (an absolute measure of annual income) is frequently used to determine who should be categorized as poor. The poverty threshold in 2015 for a family of four was $24,250 Most people living in poverty are not unemployed. This fact is evident in the term “working poor.” The number of people in poverty in the United States increased from 37 million (12.6% of the population) in 2005 to 45.3 million (14.5% of the population) in 2013 (source: U.S. Census Bureau 2014).

Poverty in the United States by Selected Characteristics, 2013

Inequality & the Ideology of the American Dream is the ideology that anyone can achieve material success if he or she works hard enough explains and justifies economic inequality in our social system has been criticized for legitimizing stratification by implying that everyone has the same opportunity to get ahead This is the idea of meritocracy (that hard work is justly rewarded). This notion tells us that success or failure depends on the person, when in reality we know that there are structural advantages and disadvantages that also contribute to an individual’s success or failure. In upcoming chapters we will discuss some of these structural issues. The American Dream is exemplified in U.S. society by “rags-to-riches” success stories. Although once pervasive, younger Americans have begun to reject this ideology A 2012 Poll revealed that among 18-24 yr-olds: 40% believe the American Dream still exists 45% believe it “once held true, but not anymore” 10% believe it never existed There are also differences in belief across racial groups. The simplicity movement is a reaction to this ideology. It encourages people to work less, oppose consumerism, earn less, and spend less – placing less value with materialistic goods.

Poverty (cont’d.) Absolute deprivation is an objective measure of poverty that is defined by the inability to meet minimal standards for food, shelter, clothing, or health care. Relative deprivation is a relational measure of poverty based on the standards of living. People are considered poor if their standard of living is less than that of other members of society. The culture of poverty refers to learned attitudes that can develop among poor communities and lead the poor to accept their fate rather than attempt to improve their situation. Invisibility of Poverty: Residential segregation, political disenfranchisement, and the use of law enforcement to control the homeless can make poverty invisible to many Americans. Absolute: In this case, you feel poor because you can’t meet minimal, basic needs. You are comparing your salary to the cost of living. Relative: You might feel poor compared to others because they have more material possessions or spending power than you have. You are comparing your salary to the salary of others.