chapter 8 social stratification. chapter outline using the sociological imagination dimensions of...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 8
Social Stratification
Chapter Outline Using the Sociological Imagination Dimensions of Stratification Explanations of Stratification Stratification in American Society
Chapter Outline Poverty in America Consequences of Stratification Social Mobility Global Stratification
Stratification Social Stratification ranks individuals
by wealth, prestige, and power. A stratification structure is
composed of: Social classes Segments of a population whose
members hold a similar share of resources.
Occupational Prestige Occupations with the greatest
prestige: Pay the most Require the greatest amount of
training, skill, and ability Provide the most power Are considered the most important
Percentage Change in After-Tax Income 1977–1999
Shares of Wealth
Prestige Rankings of Selected Occupations in the U.S.
Occupation Prestige Score
Surgeon 87
Lawyer 75
College professor 74
Engineer 71
School principal 69
Pharmacist 68
Prestige Rankings of Selected Occupations in the U.S.
Occupation Prestige Score
Registered nurse 66
Accountant 65
Professional athlete 65
Public grade school teacher
64
Banker 63
Druggist 63
Prestige Rankings of Selected Occupations in the U.S.
Occupation Prestige Score
Veterinarian 62
Police officer 61
Actor 60
Journalist 60
TV anchorman 60
Businessperson 60
Theoretical Perspectives: Social Stratification
Perspective Research Topic
Functionalism Relationship between job performance and pay
Conflict theory Relationship between social class and the likelihood of punishment for a crime
Symbolic Interactionism
Link between social class and self-esteem
Functionalism and Stratification Stratification:
Motivates people to prepare themselves for difficult and important jobs.
Motivates people to perform well once they are in those jobs.
Social Classes in America Upper class Middle class Working class Lower class Underclass
American Class Structure
The Distribution of Poverty in the United States
Measuring Poverty Absolute poverty
Determined by annual income. Anything below a determined
(absolute) amount is poverty. Relative poverty
Contrasts income groups at the bottom of the stratification structure with those above them.
Percentage of the U.S. Population in Poverty
Ideology of Individualism
1. Each individual should work hard to succeed in competition with others.
2. Those who work hard should be rewarded with success.
Ideology of Individualism
3. Because of widespread and equal opportunity, those who work hard will be rewarded with success.
4. Economic failure is an individual’s own fault and reveals lack of effort.
Perceived Reasons for Poverty in the United States
Reasons for Poverty
Importance
Very Somewhat Not
Lack of proper money
management64% 30% 6%
Lack of effort 53 39 8
Perceived Reasons for Poverty in the United States
Reasons for Poverty
Importance
Very Somewhat Not
Loose morals and
drunkenness44 30 27
Low wages 40 47 14
Perceived Reasons for Poverty in the United States
Reasons for Poverty
Importance
Very Somewhat Not
Failure of society to
provide good schools
46 29 26
Prejudice and discrimination
31 44 25
Global Inequality
People Living on Less than $1 a Day
Region1987
% of pop.1998
% of pop.
Sub-Saharan Africa 46.6 46.3
South Asia 44.9 40.0
Latin America & Caribbean 15.3 15.6
East Asia & Pacific 26.6 15.3
Eastern Europe & Central Asia
0.2 5.1
Middle East & North Africa 4.3 1.9