Definition of Social Stratification Separation of members of a society on the basis of certain characteristics. The division into categories, ranks or classes. Examples: ancestry, race, age, physical appearance, gender, education, occupation

Characteristics of Caste and Class Systems Section 1: Systems of Stratification Characteristics of Caste and Class Systems Caste System: Closed and lifelong Immobility and inherited status Based on specific occupations Ascribed status Class System: Open and mobile Reward is determined by achieved status Property, prestige, and power are important

Major Theories of Social Stratification Section 1: Systems of Stratification Major Theories of Social Stratification Functionalist Theorists stratification is a necessary feature of the social structure. the more important a role and the more skill needed to perform it, the higher the reward. Conflict Theorists stratification is a result of conflict over scarce resources. groups who gain power then use that power to maintain it.

The American Class System Section 2: The American Class System The American Class System Upper Class– attend prestigious universities; owners of large businesses, investors, heirs to family fortunes, top business executives, capitalist class; 1 percent of population Upper Middle Class – high income business and professionals, college educated, can buy luxuries for family; 14 percent of population Lower Middle Class – white-collar jobs, lower-level managers, small business owners, live comfortably but work hard; 30 percent of population

The American Class System Section 2: The American Class System The American Class System Working Class – high school education; factory workers, clerical workers, lower level salespeople, some jobs pay well but little prestige, few financial reserves; 30 percent of population Working Poor – low paying jobs, rarely make living, depend on government programs; 22 percent of population Underclass – undesirable, low-paying jobs, unemployed, on welfare, life is a day to day struggle; 3 percent of population

Motivations and Cultural Values Influence the American Class System Section 2: The American Class System Motivations and Cultural Values Influence the American Class System Such values influence Americans to try to do better financially than their parents and to help their children do the same Most Americans remain in the same social class as their parents.

Jerry's Story What struck you the most from this short video about Jerry’s work day?  How much does he pay for his room?  What is his hourly wage? Do you think that’s enough to live on?  Do you know what the current, national minimum wage is? If Jerry has a hard time getting by on $12 an hour, what kind of struggles do you think someone who makes the minimum wage faces?  What are some of Jerry’s fears?  

Horizontal Mobility-Movement within a social class Horizontal Mobility-Movement within a social class. Moving from one job to another of equal social ranking. Vertical Mobility-movement between social classes. Can be either upward or downward. Intergenerational Mobility-status differences between generations in the same family.

Groups Affected By Poverty Section 3: Poverty Groups Affected By Poverty Age – children are the largest group (37 percent); three times more African American and Hispanic children are poor than whites. Sex – women are the largest segment (57 percent); female-headed households account for about half of all poor families. Race and Ethnicity – African Americans and Hispanics are far more likely than white Americans to be poor.

Government Responses To Poverty Section 3: Poverty Government Responses To Poverty Government attempts to reduce inequality through various social-welfare programs using two approaches: Transfer Payments – redistribution of money among various segments of society; (major programs include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Subsidies - transfer goods and services rather than cash such as the Food Stamp Program, housing, school lunches, and Medicaid. People Helping People

The History of Hip Hop Jimmy Fallon/Will Smith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw_AUOY3_uw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfOOUZJkuc4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIcJAqCZ1Bg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYttH1t143s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWbT3osFdFg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ZofAwdrD8

Park Avenue- Money, Power, the American Dream http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/park-avenue-money-power-american-dream/ Born Rich http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/born-rich/ People Like Us: Social Class in America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5MtVM_zFs&list=PLC6D871A2A8C3C8EF