1. Class and Stratification in the United States
Chapter 7
Class and Stratification
in the United States

2. Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources
Life chances (Weber) refers to the extent to which individuals have access to important societal resources such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care

3. What is the American Dream?
the belief that if people work hard and play by the rules, they will have a chance to get ahead.
based on the assumption that people in the United States have equality of opportunity regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, gender or religion.

4. Comparing Income and Wealth
Income is the economic gain derived from wages, salaries, income transfers (governmental aid), and ownership of property
Wealth is the value of all of a person’s or family’s economic assets, including income, personal property, and income-producing property
M O N E Y

5. Advantages of Wealth high social prestige political influence
improved opportunities
greater safety for self and family
high-quality health care
enhanced life chances

6. Distribution of Income & Wealth
M O N E Y
is unevenly distributed in the United States
is essential for acquiring goods and services
Food
Shelter
Clothing
Medical Care
Legal Aid
Education
other things needed or desired . . .

7. Marx Capitalist (bourgeoisie) Working Class (proletariat) Alienation
Class Conflict

8. WEALTH POWER PRESTIGE Weber’s
Multidimensional Model of Social Class Placement
WEALTH
POWER
PRESTIGE
High
Low
Accumulation of assets and capital; transgenerational.
Ability to make things happen despite opposition from others.
Social respect and admiration as a result of social status

9. Weber Upper Class Upper-Middle Class Middle Class Working Class
Upper-Upper
(Old Money)
Gilbert & Kahl
Lower-Upper
(New Money)
Upper Class
Upper-Middle Class
Middle Class
Working Class
Working Poor
Underclass
Weber
Blue Collar
Pink Collar

10. Criteria for placement in the class structure
Wright
Criteria for placement in the class structure
Ownership of the means of production
Purchase of the labor of others (employing)
Control of the labor of others (supervising)
Sale of one’s own labor
Capitalist Class
Managerial Class
Small-business Class
Working Class

11. Poverty in the United States
Absolute poverty
Relative poverty

12. AGE
Who Are the Poor?
GENDER
RACE/
ETHNICITY
“feminization of poverty”

13. Functionalist Perspective:
“Davis-Moore Thesis”
Certain positions in society must be filled
Some positions are more important
Most important positions: (1) scarce talent, (2) extensive training, (or both) and (3) must be the most highly rewarded
Most rewarded positions: (1) functionally unique and (2) reliance of other positions for expertise, direction, or financing
meritocracy positions are rewarded based on ability and credentials

14. Conflict Perspective:
Inequality is not a motivating force
Maintenance of authority/position by powerful
Stereotypes inferiorizing the poor
Laws/norms support inequality

15. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective:
Upper class perpetuates position through social cohesion
small groups
face-to-face interactions
Social deference
confirms the inequality of the relationship
“Yes, ma’am”; “Yes, sir.”
Reference to Women and Girls or “Gals” and Men as “Boys”
Use of first name as opposed to title, i.e. Ms. Lopes
Spatial demeanor – social position and proximity

16. Questions?
Comments?