Class stratification and life chances L.O: To be able to define life chances & give examples of inequality in life chances (G) explain reasons for the unequal distribution of life chances (C) Relate the distribution of life chances to the development of social classes (A) Men in Kensington live on average 10 years longer than men in Manchester. Women in Kensington live on average 9 years longer than women in Liverpool. Starter: How do you explain these statistics? Hint: Look at the learning objectives for a clue!

Life chances = the chances that sections of society have of achieving the “things” which are valued by their society. Life expectancy Chances of heart attack Levels of tooth decay Going to university Owning a house… Activity: Look at the table below: Describe the trend in the statistics. Write a list of factors that could explain this under the headings: Resources of family Culture of family/area Facilities in area Tooth decay (5 years old) (15 years old) “Deprived” schools 60% 72% “Non-deprived” schools 40% 55%

What would a Marxist say when asked if life chances are distributed unequally in society? A: Competition in society creates winners and losers. The winners are rich and powerful & have the best life chances – best education, healthcare etc. The losers are poor and have the worst life chances… What would a Functionalist say when asked if life chances are distributed unequally in society? A: Welfare benefits, free education and free healthcare mean that individuals can improve their life chances if they want to. Hard work and a sensible lifestyle can turn these opportunities into better life chances…

You should all be able to explain the first learning objective… L.O: To be able to define life chances & give examples of inequality in life chances (G) explain reasons for the unequal distribution of life chances (C) Relate the distribution of life chances to the development of social classes (A) You should all be able to explain the first learning objective… Most should be able to explain the second… Some could have a go at the third…

How is social class measured? Occupation = job/career Skilled – need qualifications Non-skilled – no qualifications needed Manual – hands on jobs – wear an overall Non-manual – doesn’t involve getting your handed dirty/ no overall/ suit wearing

Classes in the UK Upper class Middle class Working class More power, wealth, income and status   Less power, wealth, income and status Classes in the UK Upper class Middle class Working class

Class according to Karl Marx More power, wealth, income and status   Less power, wealth, income and status Class according to Karl Marx Upper class Working class

Classes in the UK Upper class Middle class Working class More power, wealth, income and status   Less power, wealth, income and status Classes in the UK Upper class Middle class Working class

Registrar general’s scale More power, wealth, income and status   Less power, wealth, income and status Registrar general’s scale Professional occupations Managerial Skilled non manual Skilled manual Partly skilled Unskilled This was used by the government until 1998

Doctor’s Receptionist Hospital nurse Biology teacher Postman Put the following job in the correct category according to the registrar general’s scale – use p.286 to help you. Brain surgeon Doctor’s Receptionist Hospital nurse Biology teacher Postman Office cleaner Toni and Guy Hairdresser Bus driver Pub barmaid Architect Solicitor Bin men

Registrar general’s scale More power, wealth, income and status   Less power, wealth, income and status Registrar general’s scale Solicitors, surgeons, architects Professional occupations Teachers, nurses, pilots Managerial Skilled non manual Secretary/receptionist Bus driver, electrician, hairdresser Skilled manual Partly skilled Postal worker, bartenders, caretaker Unskilled Refuse collectors, cleaners What are the problems with using occupation to measure social class?

Doesn’t include groups such as… Married women were classed as…. Problem’s with the registrar general’s scale Doesn’t include groups such as… Married women were classed as…. Doesn’t reflect other factors such as…

Problem’s with the registrar general’s scale Doesn’t include groups such as students, retired, unemployed. Married housewives were classed as the same as their husband. Doesn’t reflect other factors such as wealth, status, property.

NS-SEC class scale This is the official UK classification used today More power, wealth, income and status   Less power, wealth, income and status NS-SEC class scale Higher managerial Higher managerial Lower managerial Intermediate Employers Lower supervisory Semi routine Routine Never worked This is the official UK classification used today

Doctor’s Receptionist Put the following job in the correct category according to the NS-SEC scale – use p.287 to help you. Office cleaner Doctor’s Receptionist Biology teacher Farmer Unemployed Bus driver Car mechanic Solicitor

Why is this better than the Register general’s scale? More power, wealth, income and status   Less power, wealth, income and status NS-SEC class scale Higher managerial solicitor Higher managerial Lower managerial teachers secretaries Intermediate Employers farmers Lower supervisory Car mechanic Semi routine Bus driver Routine cleaner Never worked Unemployed Why is this better than the Register general’s scale?

Advantages of NS-SEC scale Includes whole population Reflects levels of authority

These all mean the same 1) Describe one way the government could measure social class and explain how it may be problematic. (5) 2) Describe one way the government could measure social class and explain how it may not be accurate. (5) 3) Describe one way in which social class can be measured explain problems with this method(5) 4) Describe one way in which social class can be classified and explain problems with this way of classifying people (5)

Describe one social class and explain how it could be measured . (5) One social class could be the upper class For example people with wealth, status and power This could be measured using the registrar general’s scale This means that a person’s occupation is used to judge their class For example a brain surgeon would be judged as upper class as they have a professional job. 2/2 Identify 3/3 Explain 5/5

Describe one way of measuring social class and explain how accurate this measurement is. (5) One way could be using the registrar general’s scale For example a surgeon is upper class professional They are not accurate because people may have a professional job but not a lot of money. This means that it doesn’t take into account other factors. For example a newly qualified surgeon may still be paying off university debt which means that he does not have the wealth or status of most upper classes people. 2/2 Identify 3/3 Explain 5/5