Stratification and Inequality Examining the Implications of Class, Race, and Gender.

Social Stratification Ranking system of groups of people that perpetuates unequal rewards and life chances in society

Systems of Stratification Slavery Economic form of inequality in which some people are the property of others Caste Hierarchical stratification based on ascription (e.g. elite, warrior, merchant, servant, untouchable) Class Stratification based on wealth, income, education, and occupation; (SES) socioeconomic status.

Theories of Stratification Functionalist Theories Highest rewards (e.g. salaries and prestige) are given to most important positions in society ensuring the most qualified people occupy these positions Conflict Theories Stratification reflects unequal distribution of power in society that serves the interests of those at the top

Social Class Group of people who share similar economic/social/political position in society Measures: income, wealth, occupational prestige, educational attainment, culture, taste SES: socioeconomic status Wealth = All assets owned by an individual including cash, savings, investments in property, stocks, bonds, etc. Income = All wages and salaries earned from paid occupation. Also interest on savings.

Inequality and Life Chances Working class and poor people are: Less likely to go to college More likely to get arrested, convicted, go to prison, and receive the death penalty than upper class people More likely to die prematurely

Our economy is worth, roughly, $188 trillion.

Which is split between, roughly, 311 million people.

From 2009-2011, 100% of all new income went to the top 1% The bottom 99% actually saw a loss in their income.

Forbes 400 Richest Americans Have a combined net worth of over $1.54 trillion Bill Gates = $66 billion All 400 are billionaires ($1.1—$66 bil.) More than half inherited their wealth

Over $200 billion is inherited each year, half of which comes from just 7 percent of estates.

Should inheriting wealth be allowed?

Racial Inequality and Stratification

Race and Ethnicity in the US A socially constructed category of people who share biologically transmitted traits that members of society consider important Racial categories are not natural, biological facts, they are created, inhabited, applied and transformed by people There is no “race” gene Race may not be a biological fact, but it is socially significant

Is it difficult to talk about race? If so, why?

Racial Prejudice vs. Racism From Beverly Tatum’s, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? Racial Prejudice any preconceived opinion, either favorable or unfavorable, based on one’s race Racism a system of institutional policies and cultural messages that is advantageous to white people and disadvantageous to people of color (e.g. housing, jobs) prejudice + power

Personal Racial Prejudice vs. Institutional Racism We often focus on the racist actions of individuals rather than the institutions that maintain and perpetuate racial inequality E.g. powder vs. crack cocaine Used to be a 100 to 1 disparity in sentencing As of 2010 Congress voted to change the law to decrease the disparity. They changed it to… 18 to 1 disparity in sentencing!!! WHAT!!!? The majority of cocaine users, both crack and powder, are white. But the majority of people convicted for cocaine are people of color. And crack has historically been concentrated in African American communities.

(watch “Cracking the Code” clip) White Privilege It isn’t that all white people are to blame for discrimination; most are not. But white people nevertheless benefit from racism. [This is just as true in the case of male privilege, heterosexual privilege, or any other form of privilege.] (watch “Cracking the Code” clip)

Active Racism vs. Passive Racism blatant, intentional acts of racial prejudice E.g. not serving black people at your restaurant Passive racism more subtle forms of racism E.g. laughing at racist jokes, not challenging exclusionary hiring practices, accepting as appropriate the omission of the history of people of color in the curriculum

Active Anti-Racism Everyone needs to take an active anti-racist stance. But white people can play an especially powerful role since they have more access to the societal institutions in need of being changed.

Not All People “Of Color” Are Equally Targeted By Racism Other factors intersect and matter! Like what? Class Sex Gender Sexual orientation Country of origin / immigration status Etc.

Gender Inequality and Stratification

How many of you consider yourselves to be feminists?

Gender Stratification Social system in which socio-economic resources and political power are distributed on the basis of one’s sex and gender

Theories of Sex and Gender: Gender as Social Structure Gendered Selves Gender roles, behavior, and attitudes are properties of individuals and are internalized through socialization Structural Perspective “Deceptive distinctions” created due to unequal opportunities within various structural contexts for men and women Doing Gender [Bottom-Up!] Gender differences are actively created and reinforced through interaction, “doing gender” legitimates inequality

Wage Gap On average women earn .81 cents for every $1 a man earns This applies to men and women doing equal work! Why does the gender gap in pay persist? Occupational segregation Discrimination Institutional Sexism

Sex Inequality: The Cultural Dimension Ideology of Sexism Biology as destiny Institutional Sexism: Intersections Gender and the media Gender and the family Reproductive rights and responsibilities

Housework – “The Second Shift” Women still do majority of household work, including caring for children Women working full time outside the home spend on average 19 hours/week on housework; men average 10 hours/week This work is essential for society!

Trigger Warning

Rape as Social Control Unlike men, women must worry about walking alone at night Rape is used in war to terrorize and punish Why no “War Against Rape” ? 1 in 4 women are sexually assaulted in their lifetime 1 in 6 women will be the victim of attempted or completed rape 1 in 4 women in college are victims of rape Only 5% actually report the crime!!! 82% of sexual assaults are by people who know the victim

Mr. Robinson’s #1 Rape Prevention Tip: DON’T RAPE!