Agents of Socialisation Class
Dimensions of Social Inequality Income: occupational wages or salaries, earnings from investments, and government transfer payments Average family income in $66,160 After taxes and transfer payments Top 20% get 43.6% of income Bottom 20% gets 5.2% of income Wealth: total value of assets minus debts. In western culture wealth is an important source of power.
Inequality in Canada Occupational prestige: Doctors vs. waiters. Differences in income for same occupation do occur by sex. Schooling is crucial, so it is highly valued Women sometimes have more years than men in the same occupation level.
Basis of Social Stratification Ancestry: most of the rich gained their position through inheritance. Gender: women earn less income, accumulate less wealth, and have lower occupational prestige. Race and Ethnicity: higher average incomes for British and French vs. Asian, Black, and Native
Social Classes in Canada The upper class The middle class The working class The lower class
The Upper Class Two forms: Old money, New Money Old - inherit enormous wealth (Thompson, Bronfman, Irving, McCain, Sobeys) New - “new rich” entrepreneurs (Saputo, Stronach, Skoll ) 3-5 % of the population Traditionally were “WASP” Live in small elite communities Utilise private prep schools and ivy league colleges Run / organise clubs, charities and organisations
The middle class Professionals and service people (upper-middles and average-middles) Became dominant in the early 1800s (industrialist revolution) 40-45% of the population Live in suburbs Play central roles in civic organisations (minor leagues) Often play roles in city / local government Are more ethnically diverse than the UC UMC and MMC differentiated by need for 2 incomes
The working class Blue-collar jobs (trades, clerical, lower sales management) Many pink collar jobs 33% of the population Live in modest neighborhoods Minimal disposable income (eating out, vacations)
The lower class temporary, low prestige jobs Wages are low and most live under / near the poverty line Exist paycheck to paycheck Education limited to high school or GED Minimal job skills / training 20% of the population Minorities are over represented in this group Tend to rent rather than own homes, may not own a car No disposible income (vacations, eating out, etc)
Class, Family, and Gender Family is closely related to social class. People marry someone like them. Rich promote development of “cultural capital” in children Cultural opportunities (travel) Social opportunities (clubs, organisations) Political / economic (schooling / fraternities) Middle-class marriages have more egalitarian relationships, sharing more activities and greater intimacy.
Types of Social Mobility Upward: With college degree or higher-paying job Downward: Drop out of school, losing a job, business failure, or divorce Intragenerational mobility: Change in social position during one person’s lifetime Intergenerational mobility: Upward or downward movement that takes place across generations within a family
Myth vs. Reality In North America, social mobility is more fluid than in other cultures (Europe) Long-term trend has been upward. Boomer Generation New Canadians forced to enter lower socio economic strata. Engineers forced to drive cabs Occupational inheritance occurs for men whose fathers are professional and farmers. Women’s opportunity for upward mobility has been less than men’s.
Poverty in Canada Relative poverty: deprivation of some people in relation to those who have more. Absolute poverty: deprivation of resources that is life-threatening.
Extent of Canadian Poverty Extent of poverty is measured by low-income cut-off (LICO) 55% of pre-tax income for food, shelter, and clothing, varying by size of community: 4.4 million Canadians were poor in % of pop. Who? formerly elderly, now children, higher rates for poorly educated, higher rates for visible minorities and Aboriginals feminization of poverty, e.g., female lone-parents
Explaining Poverty Poor are responsible: they cannot or will not take advantage of opportunities. Culture of poverty: resignation leads to self-perpetuating cycle of poverty Society is responsible: loss of jobs in inner cities eliminates opportunity. Use to be traditional MC view, but less so now as MC is under pressure Critical evaluation: Canadian public is evenly divided. Poor people find few opportunities to improve lives. Working poor have jobs with very low wages.
Homelessness Homeless because: Cannot meet rent payments Drug use Mental illness Inability to cope with society Increasing number of entire families Low income housing is required
Class and Welfare, Politics and Values Wealth and poverty depend on politics and values too General belief in meritocracy leads to see successful as deserving and poor as deficient. Values supporting individual responsibility contribute to negative views of welfare. Accepting assistance is demeaning; people are reluctant.
What the right think? YJQ YJQ Bill O’Reilly © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc.
What the left think erpw erpw Mary Walsh © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc.