Social Class in the United States

Journal Take 2-3 minutes and reflect on the movie from last time. (What stood out, what surprised you, etc.) If you were not here, tell me how you think social class affects the United States Learning Targets I can identify 5 ways social inequality is created in the US I can analyze the existence of meritocratic and caste elements found in the US I can analyze the effects of social class on the wealthy and those in poverty

Social Inequalities in the United States Income Wealth Power Occupational Prestige Schooling

Incom e: Earnings from work or investments Wealt h: Total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts VS

Distribution of Income and Wealth in the United States, 2009

The Rich and the Wealthy 5% of the population own 62% of all private property 1% of the population own 35% of all private property The 10 richest families have a combined net worth of $270 billion

The Rich and the Wealthy 5% of the population own 62% of all private property 1% of the population own 35% of all private property The 10 richest families have a combined net worth of $270 billion

The Rich and the Wealthy 5% of the population own 62% of all private property 1% of the population own 35% of all private property The 10 richest families have a combined net worth of $270 billion

The Rich and the Wealthy 5% of the population own 62% of all private property 1% of the population own 35% of all private property The 10 richest families have a combined net worth of $270 billion

The Rich and the Wealthy 5% of the population own 62% of all private property 1% of the population own 35% of all private property The 10 richest families have a combined net worth of $270 billion

The Rich and the Wealthy 5% of the population own 62% of all private property 1% of the population own 35% of all private property The 10 richest families have a combined net worth of $270 billion

The Poorest of the Poor 40% of the United States population have virtually NO wealth at all The bottom 20% actually live in debt

Wealth = Power The wealthy control and shape the agenda of society (rich and powerful are in government positions) Does our political system serve the interests of the super-rich? Why or why not? Power:

Occupational Prestige We are evaluated on what we do More respect given to those who do what is considered “important”

Schooling 85% of adults have graduated high school 29.5% of adults have graduated college What does this tell us about the society that we live in? Schooling affects occupation AND income

Stratification in the US: Merit or Caste? Stratification: process by which society ranks and divides groups of people Meritocracy: social stratification based on a person’s knowledge, abilities, and effort. Caste system: social stratification based on birth (ascription) So, what does the United States have? BOTH ! How so?

Ancestry The family you are born into affects your schooling, occupation and your income More than 1/3 of the rich acquired their fortune from inheritance Tens of millions of others likewise inherit poverty Stratification in the US: Merit or Caste?

Race and Ethnicity On average, White Americans have a higher occupational position and receive more schooling than African Americans 75% of White Americans own their homes Only 46% of African Americans own their homes Stratification in the US: Merit or Caste?

Gender Women have less income, wealth and educational occupational prestige Stratification in the US: Merit or Caste?

Social Class in the United States The Upper Class: 5% of the US population Earn AT LEAST $200,000 a year Upper-uppers: “old money”, born into this class, WASPS Lower-uppers: “new money” or the “working rich” The Middle Class 40-45% pf the US population Upper-middles: make between $112,000 and $200,000 (prestigious jobs) Average-middles: make between $48,000 and $112,000 (slightly less prestigious)

Social Class in the United States The Working Class (sometimes called lower middle) 33% of the US population Make between $27,000 and 48,000 Have little to no wealth The Lower Class 20% of US population Make less than $27,000 a year

What difference does social class make? In groups of 4, use the textbook starting on page 251 to fill in the next section of your notes. How does social class affect health, values and attitudes, politics, and family and gender? You have 15 minutes!