1. Social Class
Unit 3

2. Social Stratification
Exists because of unequal access to scarce resources and social rewards: creates social inequality
Class system: based on both birth and individual achievement:
Vs. Caste system: closed system based on birth
Industrial societies move toward meritocracy: social mobility exists
Social class: a grouping of people with similar levels of wealth, power and prestige

3. Role of Social Class Important: Gives individual power Identity
Others label us by class
We think of ourselves in terms of class
Through our actions we announce our status to others
Our friends, who we marry, activities, education, language, etc.
Perspective/Behavior
Helps determine our perspective, beliefs and actions
Defines arrangements as fair

4. Karl Marx
Emphasized importance of social class as driving force of history
Developed view of classes based on production, way economy is organized
Bourgeoisie: capitalists, own means of production
Proletariat: workers, own and sell labor

5. Karl Marx continued…
Based theory on class consciousness, meaning people have sense of belonging within their class
Predicted that stratification could only be replaced with equal society, because stratification is so important in determining how people behave
Prediction did not come true

6. Social Class Determinants
A. Wealth: Assets + income

7. Social Class Determinants
B. Power: Ability to control behavior of others
C. Prestige: Honor, recognition, respect
Occupation is greatest determinant

8. Social Class Determinants
D. Socioeconomic Status (SES)
Educational level
Occupational prestige
Place of residence
Income

9. 4 Social Class Categories
Wealth
Power
Prestige
Socioeconomic Status (SES)

10. The American Class System
Upper Class
Upper-Middle Class
Lower-Middle Class
Working Class
Lower Class

11. The American Class System
Upper-Class 1-3%
Small group of well-to-do families
Owners of large businesses, top executives
Large investments, beautiful homes
Life-style and self-image that mark as V.I.P.s
Serve on boards of directors, written about on society page, children go to constly private schools
Strongest class consciousness
Powerful in economy and government

12. The American Class System
B. Upper-middle class (10-15%)
Living near and sometimes among upper class
Professionals and businesspeople, educated and successful
High income comes directly from their work career
Children brought up to go to college, usually remain in same class

13. The American Class System
C. Lower Middle Class (30-35%)
Modest but well-kept neighborhoods
Shop owners, office workers who do not have high managerial positions
High school education, some college
Little influence in community and government, but belong to church and social groups
Respectable, stress moral values, religion, working hard to get ahead
Women venture outside home but resists commitments that might keep them away from family

14. The American Class System
D. Working Class (40-45%)
Employees of shops, factory workers, unskilled jobs
Not much upward mobility, difficult to give up paycheck to prepare
Unions, not all active, put support with dues, depend on for advancement

15. The American Class System
E. Lower class (20-25%)
Public housing, run-down dwellings, low pay work or welfare, elderly, sick, single parents
Difficult to break out of vicious circle
Poor education, poor health, poor reputation, difficult to get good job
Ill luck, lack of motivation to move up