1. Social Stratification
Division of society into categories, ranks, or classes

2. Social Stratification
Varies from one society to another
Ascribed status (ancestry, race, age, gender) can be one way to classify
Achieved status (education and occupation)

3. Social Inequality
The unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards.
Created by societies ranking talent and effort.
Social competition also often leads to social inequality.

4. Stratification Spectrum
To the right of the spectrum are the open systems with social mobility…called class systems.
To the left are the closed systems with little or no advancement in social status… called caste systems.

5. Caste System Based on ascribed status
A newborns lifelong status (caste) is given at birth by parents’ status
Very little opportunity to get out
Endogamy- marriage in one’s social class.

6. Class System Based on achieved status Has lots of social mobility
Exogamy (marriage outside your social class) is possible
Marx- named only two classes: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

7. Dimensions of Social Stratification
Wealth- made up of one’s assets
Power- ability to control the behavior of others, with or without consent
Prestige- respect, honor, recognition, or courtesy received from other members of society.

8. Prestige Ratings for Selected Occupations in the United States
Occupation Rating
Physician
Musician
Lawyer
Farmer
Clergy
Carpenter
Registered Nurse
Child-Care Worker
Public School Teacher
Hairdresser
Engineer
Automobile Mechanic
Police Officer
Truck Driver
Painter
Garbage Collector
Social Worker
Waiter/Waitress
Electrician
Household Laborer
Realtor
Janitor
Machinist
Shoe Shiner

9. Socioeconomic Status SES
A rating that combines social factors such as educational level, occupational prestige, place of residence, and the economic factor of income.

10. American Class System Social Class Education Level Occupations
% of Population
Upper
Prestigious Univ.
Large business, heirs to fortunes, top executives 1
Upper Middle
University
Execs, Professionals 14
Lower Middle
Some College; high school
Low level managers, skilled workers, supervisors 30
Working
High School
Factory, clerical, low-level sales
Working Poor
Some High School
Laborers, service workers 22
Underclass
Low paying, low desirable jobs 3

11. American Social Class System
Open
Laws forbid ascribed status defining classes
Opportunity for social mobility for most
Equal opportunity, but no guarantees

12. Determining Social Class in USA
Reputational Method
Subjective Method
Objective Method
These are the three ways sociologist rank individuals according to social class.

13. Reputational Method
Individuals in the community are asked to rank other community members based on what they know of their character and lifestyle
Suitable when studying small communities

14. Subjective Method
Individuals are asked to determine their own social rank.
Most people place themselves in middle ranges of social class.
This is why middle is divided into many different categories.

15. Objective Method
Social class is defined by income, occupation, and education.
Based on statistics and is the least biased.
Problems only exist when determining measurement of categories.

16. Social Mobility
The movement between or within social classes or strata.
Important feature of open class system.
Horizontal mobility- movement within a social class or stratum.
Vertical mobility- movement between social classes.
Intergenerational mobility- status differences between generations in the same family. Is what most parents want!

17. Poverty Family Size Poverty level (in dollars) 1 person 8,794
Under 65 years
8,959
Over 65 years
8,259
2 persons
11,239
Householder under 65
11,590
Householder over 65
10,419
3 persons
13,738
4 persons
17,603
5 persons
20,819
6 persons
23,528

18. Percentage of Population Below Poverty; 2000
Age Range
All Races
White
African Am.
Hispanic
Total Pop
13.3 11
26.5
27.1
Under 18
19.9
16.1
37.2
36.8
18-24
17.5
15.5 28
25.8
25-34
12.1
10.5
20.9
21.9
35-44
9.6 8
19.3
21.5
45-54
7.2
6.3
15.8
55-59 9
7.4
22.2
20.5
60-64
11.2
9.9
22.1
22.9
65 and older 26
23.8