In Mean Girls, how is Kady resocialized to fit into an American high school? How realistic is this compared to WRHS?

Social Stratification

Some things to think about….. Is inequality inevitable? Is inequality desirable or undesirable for social progress in improving the quality of life for the vast majority of people? What determines the variability of inequality across the nations of the world? Is inequality, at least in terms of income and wealth, really a social problem? Can there be economic inequality and yet political equality? Can, for instance, capitalism coexist with democracy? In capitalist economies, who should provide the safety nets for those unable to compete, such as because of age or physical or mental disabilities?

What is Social Stratification? Social Stratification: the creation of layers of people who possess unequal shares of scarce resources. Resources:IncomeWealthPowerPrestige Social Class: a segment of a population whose members hold similar amounts of scarce resources and share values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyles. Ex: Upper, Middle, Lower class The more developed and complex the society the more social classes. Americans have a very complex set up.

Wealthy = Small % Income: amount of money received within a given time period by an individual or group. Wealth: all the economic resources possessed by an individual or group. Income is what you are paid; wealth is what you actually own. In Us: Richest 20% of populations holds 84% of wealth. Top 1% holds 39% of wealth alone.

Power and Prestige Power: ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will. Those who possess power are able to enhance their own interests but at the expense of society. Do you have to be wealthy to be powerful????? Most say no but certainly helps! Prestige: recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions. Defined by culture and society. Prestige is earned not claimed Social positions that are considered the most important or valued the most highly have the most prestige.

Social Classes Class Consciousness: sense of identification with the goals and interests of the members of a particular social class. Most Americans do not hold a sense of class consciousness. Upper Class: 1% of population Upper-Middle Class: 14 % of population Middle Class: 30% of population Working Class (Lower-middle class): 1/3 of population =33% Underclass: 12 % of population

Theories and Perspectives on Stratification Functionalists: Stratification assures that the most qualified people fill the most important positions, qualified people perform their tasks competently, and are rewarded for their efforts. They are aware of the inequalities based on stratification but feel they are necessary. Important because it ensures that all positions in society are filled and we can function properly.

Conflict Theory Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others. Stratification is based on force. Relates back to Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto. Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat Marx’s term false consciousness: refers to working-class acceptance of capitalist ideas and values. America’s legal and political system is skewed and manipulated by the powerful.

Interactionism Helps us understand how people are socialized to accept the existing stratification structure. Those who are “on top” of the social scale have worked hard to get there and those on the bottom lack the talent. Not something to challenge; legitimizes the process. This explains why people in the lower class tend to struggle with self- esteem. Thorstein Veblen: On top of social hierarchy people typically convert their wealth in 2 ways: Conspicuous consumption: purchasing more automobiles than they can reasonable use and building houses with 17rooms when only 2 people live there. Conspicuous leisure: jetting to a remote destination and staying only long enough to have dinner.