1. Definition of Social Stratification
Separation of members of a society on the basis of certain characteristics. The division into categories, ranks or classes.
Examples: ancestry, race, age, physical appearance, gender, education, occupation

2. Characteristics of Caste and Class Systems
Section 1: Systems of Stratification
Characteristics of Caste and Class Systems
Caste System:
Closed and lifelong
Immobility and inherited status
Based on specific occupations
Ascribed status
Class System:
Open and mobile
Reward is determined by achieved status
Property, prestige, and power are important

3. Major Theories of Social Stratification
Section 1: Systems of Stratification
Major Theories of Social Stratification
Functionalist Theorists
stratification is a necessary feature of the social structure.
the more important a role and the more skill needed to perform it, the higher the reward.
Conflict Theorists
stratification is a result of conflict over scarce resources.
groups who gain power then use that power to maintain it.

4. The American Class System
Section 2: The American Class System
The American Class System
Upper Class– attend prestigious universities; owners of large businesses, investors, heirs to family fortunes, top business executives, capitalist class; 1 percent of population
Upper Middle Class – high income business and professionals, college educated, can buy luxuries for family; 14 percent of population
Lower Middle Class – white-collar jobs, lower-level managers, small business owners, live comfortably but work hard; 30 percent of population

5. The American Class System
Section 2: The American Class System
The American Class System
Working Class – high school education; factory workers, clerical workers, lower level salespeople, some jobs pay well but little prestige, few financial reserves; 30 percent of population
Working Poor – low paying jobs, rarely make living, depend on government programs; 22 percent of population
Underclass – undesirable, low-paying jobs, unemployed, on welfare, life is a day to day struggle; 3 percent of population

6. Motivations and Cultural Values Influence the American Class System
Section 2: The American Class System
Motivations and Cultural Values Influence the American Class System
Such values influence Americans to try to do better financially than their parents and to help their children do the same
Most Americans remain in the same social class as their parents.

7. Jerry's Story
What struck you the most from this short video about Jerry’s work day?
 How much does he pay for his room?
 What is his hourly wage? Do you think that’s enough to live on?
 Do you know what the current, national minimum wage is? If Jerry has a hard time getting by on $12 an hour, what kind of struggles do you think someone who makes the minimum wage faces?
 What are some of Jerry’s fears?

8. Horizontal Mobility-Movement within a social class
Horizontal Mobility-Movement within a social class. Moving from one job to another of equal social ranking.
Vertical Mobility-movement between social classes. Can be either upward or downward.
Intergenerational Mobility-status differences between generations in the same family.

9. Groups Affected By Poverty
Section 3: Poverty
Groups Affected By Poverty
Age – children are the largest group (37 percent); three times more African American and Hispanic children are poor than whites.
Sex – women are the largest segment (57 percent); female-headed households account for about half of all poor families.
Race and Ethnicity – African Americans and Hispanics are far more likely than white Americans to be poor.

10. Government Responses To Poverty
Section 3: Poverty
Government Responses To Poverty
Government attempts to reduce inequality through various social-welfare programs using two approaches:
Transfer Payments – redistribution of money among various segments of society; (major programs include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Subsidies - transfer goods and services rather than cash such as the Food Stamp Program, housing, school lunches, and Medicaid.
People Helping People

11. The History of Hip Hop Jimmy Fallon/Will Smith

12. Park Avenue- Money, Power, the American Dream
Born Rich
People Like Us: Social Class in America