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CHAPTER 9
Section 1: Systems of Stratification
Section 2: The American Class System
Section 3: Poverty
Social Stratification
SECTION 1
Question:What are the major theories of social stratification?
Systems of Stratification
SECTION 1
Systems of Stratification
Theory Cause of Stratification
Criticisms of Theory
Functionalist
Conflict:
Marxists
American Theorists
Stratification is needed to help society function smoothly by ensuring that specific roles are performed. Higher rewards guarantee that important roles that require more skill are filled.
Society does not provide equal access to education and jobs.
Rewards do not always reflect the social values of roles.
It fails to recognize that unequal rewards are based in part on differences in talents, skills, and desires among people.
The bourgeoisie exploit and control the proletariat to maintain wealth and power.
Groups compete for scarce resources. Those with power use it to maintain their position.
SECTION 2
Question:What are characteristics of the American class system?
The American Class System
SECTION 2
The American Class SystemAMERICAN CLASS SYSTEM
Upper Class: 1 percent; prestigious schools; heirs, investors, large
business owners and top executives
Working Class: 30 percent; high school;
factory and clerical workers, lower level salespeople, some
craftworkers
Lower Middle Class: 30 percent; high school or college; lower-level
managers, skilled craftworkers, supervisors
Upper Middle Class:
14 percent; college or university;
business executives and professionals
Working Poor: 22 percent; some high school; laborers,
service workers—gardeners, house cleaners, etc.
Underclass: 3 percent; some high school; undesirable
low-paying jobs, unem-ployed, or on welfare for some time
SECTION 3
Poverty
Question:What groups of Americans are affected by poverty?
SECTION 3
Poverty
Characteristics of Poor Americans
Sex: Women are the largest
segment (57 percent).
Female-headed households account for about half
of all poor families.
Age: Children are the largest group
(37 percent).
Three times more African American and Hispanic children are poor
than white children.
Race and Ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanics are far more likely
than white Americans to be poor.
Chapter Wrap-Up
1. How do caste systems and class systems differ?2. How do the functionalist and conflict
explanations of stratification differ?3. What are the six social classes recognized by
most American sociologists?4. What is the poverty level, and how is it
calculated?5. How can poverty affect the life chances of
Americans?6. How have government programs to assist poor
Americans changed in recent years?
1. How do caste systems and class systems differ?2. How do the functionalist and conflict
explanations of stratification differ?3. What are the six social classes recognized by
most American sociologists?4. What is the poverty level, and how is it
calculated?5. How can poverty affect the life chances of
Americans?6. How have government programs to assist poor
Americans changed in recent years?
CHAPTER 9