1. 8 Social Stratification
This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:
- Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;
- Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;
- Any rental, lease or lending of the program.

2. Social Stratification
How does the fate of those aboard the Titanic illustrate how social inequality affects the way people live – and sometimes whether they live at all? Look at the event with a sociological eye.

3. I. What is social stratification
A. Defining Social Stratification B. Four Basic principles of social Stratification

4. I. What is social stratification Defining Social Stratification
A. Social Stratification:
A system by which a society ranks and categorizes people in a hierarchy

5. I. What is social stratification Four Basic Principles
1. Social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences
Do you think of social standing in terms of personal talent and effort?
2.Social stratification carries over from generation to generation
Do you plan to live a different life than your parents presented you with?
Social mobility - A change in position within the social hierarchy

6. I. What is social stratification Four Basic Principles cont,,,,,
3. Social stratification is universal but variable
Do you believe that a company executive is more worthy of pay than a secretary? Why or why not?
4. Social stratification involves not just inequality but beliefs as well
Do you believe that Kennedy’s are deserving of all the money that they have?

7. II. Caste and Class Systems
Closed an and Open Caste System
Defining Cast System
Three major characteristics of a Caste System
Defining Class System
Defining Meritocracy
Defining Status Consistency
Explaining and defining Ideology

8. II. Caste and Class Systems defining Caste and Class Systems
Sociologists distinguish between
Closed Systems – Caste Systems
Allows little change in position
Open Systems – Class Systems
Permit much more social mobility

9. II. Caste and Class Systems Caste System
Cast System:
Social stratification based on ascription or birth
Little or no social mobility
Caste position determines life from birth
The caste guides everyday life by keeping people in the company of their “own kind”
Typically agrarian because agriculture demands a lifelong routine of work

10. II. Caste and Class Systems class System
Social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement
Schooling and skills lead to social mobility
Work is no longer fixed at birth but involves some personal choice

11. II. Caste and Class Systems MERITOCRACY
A concept that refers to social stratification based on personal merit
Includes knowledge, abilities, and effort
Question:
Why do modern, industrial societies keep some elements of caste – such as letting wealth pass from generation to generation – rather than becoming complete meritocracies?

12. II. Caste and Class Systems STATUS CONSISTENCY
The degree of consistency in a person’s social standing across various dimensions of social inequality
Low status consistency means that classes are harder to define than castes

13. II. Caste and Class Systems Ideology: the Power Behind Stratification
Cultural beliefs that justify particular social arrangements, including patterns of inequality
Every culture considers some type of inequality fair
Ideology changes with a society’s economy and technology

14. III. Functions of social Stratification
Explain Davis-Moore Thesis
Structural Functional Approach

15. III. Functions of social Stratification The Davis-Moore Thesis
Social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of society
The greater the functional importance of a position, the more rewards a society attaches to it
Any society can be egalitarian, but only to the extent that people are willing to let anyone perform any job

16. III. Functions of social Stratification Structural Functional Approach
Social stratification plays a vital part in the operation of society

17. IV. Stratification and Conflict
Social Conflict Analysis and Social Stratification
Defining Capitalism according to Karl Marx
Defining Proletarians according to Karl Marx
Defining Alienation according to Karl Marx
Max Weber: Class Status, Power

18. IV. Stratification and Conflict Social Conflict Analysis and Social Stratification
Social stratification is rooted in people’s relationship to the means of production
Social-conflict Analysis ;
Argues that stratification provides some people with advantages over others
Capitalists (Karl Marx)
People who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit of profit
Proletariat (Karl Marx)
Working people who sell their labor for wages

19. IV. Stratification and Conflict Karl Marx: Class Conflict
Alienation:
The experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness
Question?
Have you ever had a job that caused you to experience the alienation that concerned Karl Marx? Explain your experience.

20. IV. Stratification and Conflict Max Weber: Class, Status, and Power
Viewed social stratification as involving three dimensions of inequality
Class position – economic inequality
Status – social prestige
Power
Micro-level analysis of social stratification
Social standing affects everyday interaction
People with different social standing keep their distance from one another
Conspicuous consumption
Buying and using products with an eye to the “statement” they make about social position

21. V. Stratification and Interaction
How social class standing effects social interaction
Defining conspicuous consumption

22. V. Stratification and Interaction Micro-level analysis of social stratification Conspicuous consumption
Micro-level analysis of social stratification
Social standing affects everyday interaction
People with different social standing keep their distance from one another
Conspicuous consumption
Buying and using products with an eye to the “statement” they make about social position

24. VI. Stratification and Technology
A. Global Perspective B. Kuznets Curve

25. VI. Stratification and Technology: A Global Perspective?
Hunting and Gathering Societies
No categories of people better off than others
Horticultural, Pastoral, and Agrarian Societies
Social inequality increases with rise of nobility
Industrial Societies
Pushes inequality downward prompted by development of meritocracy

26. VI. Stratification and Technology: A Global Perspective?
The Kuznets Curve
Technological advances first increase, then moderate the intensity of social stratification
Greater inequality is functional for agrarian societies
Industrial societies benefit from less inequality

27. VI. What Stratification and Technology: A Global Perspective?
The Kuznets Curve (continued)
Social inequality around the world generally confirms the Kuznets curve
Income inequality reflects not just technological development but also a society’s political and economic priorities
U.S. society now experiencing greater economic inequality suggests that the long-term trend might differ from Kuznets' observation half a century ago

28. Image Bank
FIGURE 8–2 Social Stratification and Technological Development: The Kuznets Curve
The Kuznets curve shows that greater technological sophistication generally is accompanied by more pronounced social stratification. The trend reverses itself as industrial societies relax rigid, castelike distinctions
in favor of greater opportunity and equality under the law. Political rights are more widely extended, and there is even some leveling of economic differences. However, the emergence of postindustrial society has brought an upturn in economic inequality, as indicated by the broken line added by the author.
Sources: Drawn by the author based on Kuznets (1955) and Lenski (1966).

29. VII. Inequality in the United states
Defining Wealth, Income, and Power
Variables that impact social stratification in the United States

30. VII. Inequality in the United states Income
Earnings from work or investments
The richest 20% received 47.8% of all income
Bottom 20% received only 4.0%
A small number of people earn very high incomes, but the majority make do with far less

31. VII. Inequality in the United states Wealth
The total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts
Wealth is distributed more unequally than income

32. Distribution of income and wealth in the united states
FIGURE 8–3 Distribution of Income and Wealth in the United States
Income, and especially wealth, is divided unequally in U.S. society.
Sources: Income data from U.S. Census Bureau (2009); wealth data based on Bucks et al. (2009), Wolff (2009), and author estimates.

33. Why do you think that so many people view the U. S
Why do you think that so many people view the U.S. as a middle-class society in which most people have more or less equal social standing?
FIGURE 8–3 Distribution of Income and Wealth in the United States
Income, and especially wealth, is divided unequally in U.S. society.
Sources: Income data from U.S. Census Bureau (2009); wealth data based on Bucks et al. (2009), Wolff (2009), and author estimates.

34. VII. Inequality in the United states Power
In the U.S., wealth is an important source of power
Small proportion of families that control most of the wealth also has the ability to shape the agenda of the entire society
Sociologists argue:
Such concentrated wealth weakens democracy
The political system serves the interests of the rich

35. VII. Inequality in the United states Power
Power (continued)
People of all social classes have the same right to vote. But can you think of ways in which the rich have more power to shape U.S. society?
Do you thing that such concentrated wealth undermines democracy?

36. VII. Inequality in the United states Variables that impact social stratification in the United States
Occupational Prestige
Generates income and is an important source of prestige
High prestige given to occupations that require extensive training and generate high income
Less prestigious work pays less and requires less ability and schooling

37. VII. Inequality in the United states Variables that impact social stratification in the United States
Occupational Prestige (continued)
In any society, high-prestige occupations go to privileged categories
Dominated by men
Lowest prestige jobs commonly performed by people of color

38. Image Bank

39. VII. Inequality in the United states Variables that impact social stratification in the United States
Schooling
Industrial societies have expanded opportunities for schooling, but some receive much more than others
Affects occupation and income
Most better-paying, white-collar jobs require a college degree and other advanced study
Blue-collar jobs
Require less schooling
Bring lower income and less prestige

40. VII. Inequality in the United states Variables that impact social stratification in the United States
Ancestry, Race, and Gender
Nothing affects social standing as does birth into a particular family (ancestry)
Has strong bearing on schooling, occupation, and income
(Race) is linked closely to social position in the U.S.
Social ranking also involves ethnicity

41. VII. Inequality in the United states Variables that impact social stratification in the United States
Ancestry, Race, and Gender (continued)
Both men and women are found in families at every social level (gender)
However, on average, women have less income, wealth, and occupational prestige than men
Single-parent families headed by women are three times more likely to be poor than those headed by men

42. Viii. Social Classes in the united states
Upper Class
Middle Class
Working Class
Lower Class

43. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Upper Class
Top 5% of the U.S. population
General rule:
The more a family’s income comes from inherited wealth, the stronger the family’s claim to being upper-class
Richest 400 people in the U.S.
“Capitalists”
The owners of the means of production and most of the nation’s wealth

44. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Upper Class
Historically, composed of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants
Less true today
When you think of the “American Dream,” you imagine rising to which part of the upper class?

45. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Upper Class
1. Upper-uppers
“Blue bloods” or “society”
Less than 1% of U.S. population
Membership is by ascription (birth)
Possess enormous wealth primarily inherited
“Old money”
Live in exclusive neighborhoods

46. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Upper Class
Upper-uppers (continued)
Children typically attend private schools with similar others
Complete formal education at prestigious universities and colleges
Volunteer at charitable organizations
Help community and build networks that broaden their power

47. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Upper Class
Lower-uppers
Most of the people in this group
Known as the “working rich”
Get money by earning it rather than inheritance
3 to 4% of U.S. population
Lives in expensive neighborhoods
Vacation homes near water or in mountains
Children attend private schools and “good” colleges
Most do not gain entry into the clubs and associations of “old money” families

48. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Middle Class
40-45% of U.S. population
Has tremendous influences on our culture U.S.
Commercial advertising directed at this group
Contains far more ethnic and racial diversity than upper-class

49. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Middle Class
Upper-middles
Average income of $113,000 to $200,000
Two-thirds of children attend college
Postgraduate degrees are common
Many have high-prestige occupations
Lack power to influence national or international events
Often play an important role in local politics

50. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Middle Class
Average-Middles
Less prestigious white-collar occupations.
Wealth in form of a house and retirement.
Likely to be high school graduates.
Less expensive, state supported college.
Fifty-fifty odds that they will complete a college degree.

51. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Working Class
Almost a third of the population; sometimes called lower-middle class
Forms the core of the industrial proletariat; blue collar jobs yield an income of between 25,000 and 45,000 a year.
Have little or no wealth
Jobs provide little personal satisfaction
Half own their own homes
Third of children go to college

52. Viii. Social Classes in the united states Lower Class
Remaining 20% of U.S. population
Low income makes their lives insecure and difficult
40 million or 13.2% are classified as poor by federal government
Hold low prestige jobs
Half complete high school; 1 in 4 reaches college
Society segregates lower class, especially if minorities
Question:
Why does college attendance and success drop with the lowering of social classes?
Describe some possible contributing factors.

53. xi. The Difference class makes
A. Affects of Social Stratification on our lives.

54. xi. The Difference Class Makes Affects of Social Stratification on our lives.
Max Weber
Social stratification affects people’s life chances
Social standing linked to:
Health
Values
Politics
Family Life

55. XI. The Difference Class Makes Affects of Social Stratification on our lives.
Health
How is a person’s health influenced by their social class position in society? Should everyone have access to the same level of health care?

56. XI. The Difference Class Makes Affects of Social Stratification on our lives.
Values and Attitudes
Are the following statements True or False?
“Old rich” have strong sense of family history
Upper-uppers favor understated manners and tastes
Affluent people more tolerant of controversial behavior
Working-class grow up in an atmosphere of supervision and discipline
Less likely to attend college and less tolerant

57. XI. The Difference Class Makes Affects of Social Stratification on our lives
POLITICS
Well-off people
Protection of wealth leads to
Conservative approach to economic issues
More liberal on social issues
Likely to vote and join political organizations because they are better served by the system
Lower social standing
Economic liberals
More conservative on social issues

58. XI. The Difference Class Makes Affects of Social Stratification on our lives
FAMILY AND GENDER
Lower-class families
Families larger than middle class
Earlier marriage and less use of birth control
Encourage children to conform to conventional norms and respect authority
Divide responsibilities according to gender roles
Serve as sources of material assistance

59. XI. The Difference Class Makes Affects of Social Stratification on our lives
FAMILY AND GENDER (continued)
Higher social standing
Pass on a different “culture capital” to children
Teach individuality and imagination
More egalitarian–sharing more activities and expressing greater intimacy
Friendships likely to share interests and leisure pursuits

60. x. Social Mobility Describing upward social mobility
Describing downward social mobility
Defining Intergenerational social mobility
Defining Intergenerational social mobility
Four general conclusion concerning social mobility in the United States

61. x. Social Mobility Upward, Downward, social Intragenerational , Intergenerational, and Horizontal Social Mobility
Upward Social Mobility
Downward Social Mobility
Intragenerational Social Mobility
A change in social position occurring during a person’s lifetime
Intergenerational Social Mobility
Upward or downward social mobility of children in relation to their parents
Horizontal Social Mobility
Changing jobs at the same class level

62. FIGURE 8–4 Median Annual Income, U.S. Families, 1950–2008
Average U.S. family income grew rapidly between 1950 and Since then, however, the increase has been smaller.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2009).

63. x. Social Mobility Myth versus Reality
Four general conclusions–Social Mobility
Social mobility over the course of the past century has been fairly high
The long-term trend in social mobility has been upward
Within a single generation, social mobility is usually small
Social mobility since the 1970s has been uneven

64. Image Bank
FIGURE 8–5 Mean Annual Income, U.S. Families, 1980–2008 (in 2008 dollars, adjusted for inflation)
The gap between high-income and low-income families is wider today than it was in 1980.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2009).

65. xi. Poverty in the United States
Defining Relative Poverty
Defining Absolute Poverty
The Extent of Poverty

66. xi. Poverty in the United States Relative and Absolute Poverty
Relative Poverty
The deprivation of some people in relation to those who have more
Absolute Poverty
A life-threatening deprivation of resources
Did you know that one person in five are at risk of absolute poverty in this world? How does this make you feel? What can be done?

67. xi. Poverty in the United States The Extent of Poverty
Relative poverty
Families with income below official poverty line
Family of four - $22,025
Poverty line is three times what the government estimates a family will spend on food
Average poor family income is just 59% of the above amount

68. xi. Poverty in the United States The Extent of Poverty
Do you think it would be difficult for a family to get by on less than $13,000 a year?