Social Stratification

Social Class

People who have similar position in the social hierarchy, who have similar political and economic interests.

SOCIAL INEQUALITY

SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Unequal distribution of social rewards and resources (“Good Stuff” of a society)

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Wealth

WEALTH

• The sum total of a person’s assets including what they own and their income

• Wealth is not distributed evenly throughout the US

Highest

FourthFifth

Middle

SecondFifth

Lowest

2004 Distribution of Income In US2004 Distribution of Income In US

Highest – 49.2%Highest – 49.2%Fourth Fifth- 23.2%Fourth Fifth- 23.2%Middle- 15.0%Middle- 15.0%Second Fifth- 9.0%Second Fifth- 9.0%Lowest- 3.6%Lowest- 3.6%

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Wealth

Power

POWER

• The ability to control the behaviors of others with or without their consent

• Power can be based on:– Use of force– Possession of specific skills or knowledge– Social Status– Personal Characteristics (Charismatic Authority)– Traditional Authority– Legal Doctrine (Rational-legal Authority)

Social Stratification

Ranking of Individuals or categories of individuals on the basis of unequal

access to scarce resources and social rewards.

Wealth

Power

Prestige

PRESTIGE

• The degree of respect or esteem a person receives from others

• May be based upon:– Income– Education– Club membership– Family membership– Occupation

Two Types of Class Systems

Caste – Ascribed

Two Types of Class Systems

Caste – Ascribed

Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on ascribed status with little chance of social mobility (Caste System)

Two Types of Class Systems

Caste – Ascribed

Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on ascribed status with little chance of social mobility (Caste System)

Class – Achieved

Two Types of Class Systems

Caste – Ascribed

Closed System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on ascribed status with little chance of social mobility (Caste System)

Class – Achieved

Open System: Person’s position in social hierarchy is based on achieved status with a chance of social mobility (Class System)

Social Mobility:

• The ability to move up or down in social class or strata

Social Mobility:

• The ability to move up or down in social class or strata

– Vertical

Social Mobility:

• The ability to move up or down in social class or strata

– Vertical– Horizontal

Social Mobility:

• The ability to move up or down in social class or strata

– Vertical– Horizontal– Intergenerational

Determining Social Class

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.– Small communities.

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.– Small communities.– Everybody knows everybody.

Reputational Method

• Rank other community members.– Small communities.– Everybody knows everybody.– Not usually very accurate.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.– People do not like to place themselves out of

the middle class.

Subjective Method

• Individuals asked to rank themselves.– Place themselves in the middle class.– People do not like to place themselves out of

the middle class.– Again, not very accurate.

Objective Method

• Sociologists define social class.

Objective Method

• Sociologists define social class.– Income– Occupation– Education

Objective Method

• Sociologists define social class.– Income– Occupation– Education

Least biased determination, but the problem can be with the determinants used.

US Class System

Upper Upper Class

• Majority of the US Wealth

• Old Money

• Born into wealth and power

• Prestigious schools

• Status gives them rights to many things.

• Education?

Lower Upper Class

• The “New Rich” “New Money”

• Aquired wealth through own efforts

• Not as prestigious

• It does purchase most of the same privileges

• Multiple houses, cars, vacations

• “I make a lot of money listen to me!”

• Education?

Upper Middle Class

• High income business and professional

• College educations minimum

• Money they make goes to large houses, cars, and many luxuries.

• Retire early.

• Career orientated.

Lower Middle Class

• White Collar Jobs

• Not much manual labor

• Lower education provides lower earnings

• Small business, nursing, teacher

• Comfortable life, but depends on job!

Working Class

• Largest segment of America

• Manual Labor

• Blue-Collar jobs

• Pink-Collar jobs

• Few if any financial reserves

• Everything depends on job, MUST!

Lower Class

• Lowest paying jobs, Minimum wage?

• Unemployed, elderly, Social Security

• Cycle of Poverty forces working class to lower class

• Lack of education and opportunity