What is stratification?What is stratification?

A system in which nations or A system in which nations or people within a nation are people within a nation are ranked ranked according to relative power, according to relative power, property, and prestige.property, and prestige.

1.4 billion live on less than $ 1 U.S. Dollar per day 1 billion of those are women.

Why should we look at Why should we look at this?this?

Life chances are impacted by Life chances are impacted by stratification i.e., the extent to stratification i.e., the extent to which individuals have access to which individuals have access to important resources, such as important resources, such as food, clothing, shelter, education, food, clothing, shelter, education, health carehealth care

What are some systems of What are some systems of stratification that have stratification that have existed?existed?

SlaverySlavery -- the owning of other people -- the owning of other people [no mobility ][no mobility ] ascribed, lifelong, considered ascribed, lifelong, considered

property, not human, no rights, property, not human, no rights, controlled via coercion controlled via coercion

contemporary examples?contemporary examples? Child labor, debt bondage, contract Child labor, debt bondage, contract

labor labor

““Today’s slaveholders have Today’s slaveholders have all the benefits of ownership all the benefits of ownership without the legalities.”without the legalities.”

K. Bales K. Bales Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global EconomyEconomy

estimates 27 million people due to bonded labor or debt estimates 27 million people due to bonded labor or debt bondagebondage

Concentrated in Southeast Asia, Northern and Western Africa, Concentrated in Southeast Asia, Northern and Western Africa, and parts of South America but exists in all countriesand parts of South America but exists in all countries

examples: child prostitution in Thailandexamples: child prostitution in Thailand enslaved brickmakers in Pakistanenslaved brickmakers in Pakistan domestic slaves in Francedomestic slaves in France Gatos - labor recruiters in Brazil Gatos - labor recruiters in Brazil Subsistence farming is giving way to cash-crop agricultureSubsistence farming is giving way to cash-crop agriculture loss of common landloss of common land govt. policies that focus on the production of cheap food for govt. policies that focus on the production of cheap food for

citiescities threat of physical forcethreat of physical force desperate conditions of povertydesperate conditions of poverty 1.4 billion people live on less than $1 (US) dollar per day. 1.4 billion people live on less than $1 (US) dollar per day.

CasteCaste -- lifelong status determined -- lifelong status determined by birth based on parents by birth based on parents ascribed status Apartheid India ascribed status Apartheid India Hinduism [no mobility]Hinduism [no mobility]

Some social scientists see a racial Some social scientists see a racial caste system today in the U.S. caste system today in the U.S. with long history against with long history against interracial marriagesinterracial marriages

Class -Class -- possession of money or - possession of money or material possessions based upon material possessions based upon ownership and control of resource ownership and control of resource [more mobility in theory].... [more mobility in theory].... begins as an ascribed status but begins as an ascribed status but may have some degree of may have some degree of individual mobility via individual mobility via achievementachievement

Gender stratification is found in Gender stratification is found in all societies (although types may all societies (although types may vary)vary)

How does stratification work in How does stratification work in America?America?

BeeghleyBeeghley -- Monopoly Game and -- Monopoly Game and American class structureAmerican class structure

Social ClassSocial Class -- groups who rank -- groups who rank about even in power, wealth, and about even in power, wealth, and prestige (socio-economic status prestige (socio-economic status or ses)or ses)

Based upon ownership and Based upon ownership and resources (materialism)resources (materialism)

Theories of StratificationTheories of Stratification

MarxMarx - -- class is determined by - class is determined by personpersons relationship to means of s relationship to means of production -- labor is production -- labor is sold sold and a and a reserve army keeps wages low, reserve army keeps wages low,

WeberWeber -- property (i.e., wealth), -- property (i.e., wealth), prestige, and power dictate class prestige, and power dictate class standingstanding

Marx’s View of Marx’s View of StratificationStratification

Davis and Moore - Davis and Moore - Functional PerspectiveFunctional Perspective::

1 - some positions are more important than 1 - some positions are more important than othersothers

2 - important positions must be filled by qualified 2 - important positions must be filled by qualified people people

3 - qualified people have talents which must be 3 - qualified people have talents which must be translated into skillstranslated into skills

4 - for their sacrifice, society must offer them 4 - for their sacrifice, society must offer them greater rewardsgreater rewards

5 - stratification is necessary for society to 5 - stratification is necessary for society to function properlyfunction properly

6 - stratification is inevitable –it’s universal6 - stratification is inevitable –it’s universal 7 - inequality should be left to evolve on it’s 7 - inequality should be left to evolve on it’s ownown

Some consensus……Some consensus……

OccupationsOccupations Occupation is the most important index for Occupation is the most important index for

stratification in the U.S.stratification in the U.S. How do we Americans rank occupations?How do we Americans rank occupations? 1. Pay1. Pay 2. Service to Humanity2. Service to Humanity 3. Education3. Education 4. Whether the job includes abstract 4. Whether the job includes abstract

thinkingthinking 5. Social Prestige5. Social Prestige 6. Autonomy (creative decision making 6. Autonomy (creative decision making

opportunities)opportunities)

Occupational Prestige Occupational Prestige Rankings of Selected Rankings of Selected Occupations in the U.S.Occupations in the U.S.

Physician 82 Physician 82 College professor 78 College professor 78 Judge 76 Judge 76 Attorney 76 Attorney 76 Astronomer 74 Astronomer 74 Dentist 74 Dentist 74 Bank officer 72 Bank officer 72 Engineer 71 Engineer 71 Architect 71 Architect 71 Clergy 70 Clergy 70 Chemist 69 Chemist 69 Nurse 62 SchoolNurse 62 School teacher 60 and others……….teacher 60 and others………. Author 60 Accountant 57 Actor 55 Computer programmer 51 Athlete 51 Bank Author 60 Accountant 57 Actor 55 Computer programmer 51 Athlete 51 Bank

Teller 50 Electrician 49 Police officer 48 Secretary 46 Mail carrier 42 Plumber Teller 50 Electrician 49 Police officer 48 Secretary 46 Mail carrier 42 Plumber 41 Farm owner 41 Dancer 38 Mechanic 37 Bus Driver 32 Cashier 31 Gas 41 Farm owner 41 Dancer 38 Mechanic 37 Bus Driver 32 Cashier 31 Gas station attendant 22 Taxi Driver 22 Garbage collector 17 Janitor 16 Maid 14 station attendant 22 Taxi Driver 22 Garbage collector 17 Janitor 16 Maid 14 shoeshine 9 shoeshine 9

Tumin asks, “But how does one measure Tumin asks, “But how does one measure thethe

importance of a position?” importance of a position?” Who decided that school teachers are less Who decided that school teachers are less

valuable to society than lawyers?valuable to society than lawyers? Who decided that clergy are less valuable Who decided that clergy are less valuable

to society than funeral morticians?to society than funeral morticians? Why not pay those who do the dirty work Why not pay those who do the dirty work

(i.e., those jobs the rest of us don’t want to (i.e., those jobs the rest of us don’t want to do) more?do) more?

StratificationStratification

Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective

Rewards are given to those in power or Rewards are given to those in power or those who serve to keep the powerful as those who serve to keep the powerful as they are (wealth among the richest in the they are (wealth among the richest in the U.S. is inherited – “old” versus “new” U.S. is inherited – “old” versus “new” money)money)

- There is less consensus than we think- There is less consensus than we think - Tasks and rewards are seldom equal, - Tasks and rewards are seldom equal,

just defined that way by the powerfuljust defined that way by the powerful - It prohibits society from working as well - It prohibits society from working as well

as it would with true meritocracy as it would with true meritocracy

Modern conflict theoristsModern conflict theorists: : Contemporary focus upon Contemporary focus upon

consumption and higher standard consumption and higher standard of living lead to complacency. of living lead to complacency.

Combined these lead to Combined these lead to Alienation Alienation (a feeling of (a feeling of

powerlessness)powerlessness)

Conflict theorists add:Conflict theorists add: In our society, if you work hard, In our society, if you work hard,

you might get lucky, but chances you might get lucky, but chances are, you will remain in the same are, you will remain in the same social class as your parents social class as your parents unless some structural unless some structural opportunity allows you to opportunity allows you to experience upward mobility. experience upward mobility.

Social mobilitySocial mobility

the movement of individuals or the movement of individuals or groups from one level of stratification groups from one level of stratification to another to another

(Intergenerational -- from one (Intergenerational -- from one generation to the next)generation to the next)

(Intragenerational -- over one’s (Intragenerational -- over one’s lifetime)lifetime)

Structural and exchange – societal Structural and exchange – societal forces. forces.

Reasons for Slowed Reasons for Slowed MobilityMobility

Shifts in labor marketShifts in labor market 1 – real wages declined after inflation1 – real wages declined after inflation 2 -manufacturing jobs were lost and not 2 -manufacturing jobs were lost and not

regained at the same level of payregained at the same level of pay 3 - unions defeated and therefore not 3 - unions defeated and therefore not

able to bargain for higher wages and able to bargain for higher wages and benefits.benefits.

4 - relocation of manufacturing to 4 - relocation of manufacturing to overseas or states with lower wages- overseas or states with lower wages- out-sourcedout-sourced

5 - assistance to the poor still being 5 - assistance to the poor still being cut wealthy have been given cut wealthy have been given significant tax breaks and incentives - significant tax breaks and incentives - welfare for the rich “wealthfare” welfare for the rich “wealthfare”

6 - increased use of part-time 6 - increased use of part-time employees to avoid fringe benefits, employees to avoid fringe benefits, health insurance, etc...health insurance, etc...

7 - job growth - but at the lowest end 7 - job growth - but at the lowest end of skill spectrum. Arkansas – new data of skill spectrum. Arkansas – new data reveals growth at minimum wagereveals growth at minimum wage

How does it look for us?How does it look for us?The United States? The United States? Arkansas?Arkansas?

Have we been effected by these Have we been effected by these changes?changes?

So What do we look So What do we look likelike

Who are the Poor?Who are the Poor?

About 37.3 Million or 12.5% of our About 37.3 Million or 12.5% of our populationpopulation

But number of “food insecure” But number of “food insecure” has risen to 38 Million has risen to 38 Million

Number of uninsured 47.5 millionNumber of uninsured 47.5 million

So how do we measure So how do we measure povertypoverty

relative versus absoluterelative versus absolute When a low cost food budget cost When a low cost food budget cost

more than one third monthly more than one third monthly income for a family income for a family

““thrifty food plan” updated each thrifty food plan” updated each year using the consumer price year using the consumer price indexindex

What determines poverty…What determines poverty…Age is a major factorAge is a major factor

- 17 million are children- 17 million are children Kids represent 25% opf Kids represent 25% opf Almost one in five kids are poor in Almost one in five kids are poor in

the U.S.the U.S. Children 18 and under 18%Children 18 and under 18% (in Arkansas 28%)(in Arkansas 28%) Over 65, social security is the Over 65, social security is the

safety netsafety net

Race is a major factorRace is a major factor Although most poor persons are white – the Although most poor persons are white – the

within group proportions are much higher for within group proportions are much higher for minoritiesminorities

8.2% Whites8.2% Whites 28.4% Blacks28.4% Blacks 21.5% Hispanics21.5% Hispanics 10.2% Asians10.2% Asians 24.3% American Indian, Alaskan Native24.3% American Indian, Alaskan Native 20% Other20% Other Source: U.S. CensusSource: U.S. Census See also National Poverty Center See also National Poverty Center

http://npc.umich.edu/poverty/http://npc.umich.edu/poverty/

Education is a factor Education is a factor poverty by race and poverty by race and educationeducation

EducationEducation All All RacesRaces WhiteWhite

African African AmericaAmerica

nnHispanicHispanic

No No diplomadiploma 21.821.8 15.715.7 34.834.8 26.726.7

High High School School

Graduate Graduate 11.911.9 9.49.4 22.022.0 15.415.4

Some Some collegecollege 8.58.5 7.07.0 14.914.9 10.610.6

College College degreedegree

(or more) (or more)4.34.3 3.73.7 7.17.1 7.57.5

Gender is a factorGender is a factor

female headed households Feminization of female headed households Feminization of Poverty – women and girls constitute a Poverty – women and girls constitute a disproportionate share of the poor. disproportionate share of the poor.

Due to divorce, unwed mothers, lower wages Due to divorce, unwed mothers, lower wages than menthan men

Older women are twice as likely to be poor Older women are twice as likely to be poor than older menthan older men

Single Parent Families: Single Parent Families: 28.3 percent female headed versus 13.6 male headed28.3 percent female headed versus 13.6 male headed 4.9 percent for married families4.9 percent for married families

Geography is a factorGeography is a factor

Rural versus UrbanRural versus Urban Southern region has highest rates Southern region has highest rates

with more rural areas – some with more rural areas – some individual metropolitan areas individual metropolitan areas have high rateshave high rates

Jobs are a factorJobs are a factor

If we start with the 37.3 millionIf we start with the 37.3 million Working poor – an additional 10 million – Working poor – an additional 10 million –

those who earn up to 125% poverty = 47.3those who earn up to 125% poverty = 47.3 If we use a more realistic measure (“working If we use a more realistic measure (“working

class”) of 155% poverty (e.g., 31,000 for a class”) of 155% poverty (e.g., 31,000 for a family of 4),the total is family of 4),the total is 1818 million million

Subtotal of the poor = 55.3Subtotal of the poor = 55.3 million million Add those lifted out of poverty via Add those lifted out of poverty via

social security benefits (16 million)social security benefits (16 million) Subtotal of poor = 71.3 Million Subtotal of poor = 71.3 Million

(approximately 1 in 4 Americans are poor or (approximately 1 in 4 Americans are poor or at risk of poverty) at risk of poverty)

Meet the Smiths Meet the Smiths

What would life be like in What would life be like in northwest Arkansas for a family of northwest Arkansas for a family of 4 with two minimum wage 4 with two minimum wage earners? Official poverty earners? Official poverty guideline is $22, 050guideline is $22, 050

Working families in Working families in ArkansasArkansas

Roberto, Alice.. and Roberto, Alice.. and two kidstwo kids

Rent: Rent: Utilities: Utilities: Car Payment:Car Payment: Child careChild care Groceries:Groceries: Insurance: Insurance: Clothing:Clothing: Medicine: Medicine: Entertainment: Entertainment:

Arkansas FamiliesArkansas FamiliesMonthly ExpensesMonthly Expenses FoodFood $$ Child CareChild Care $$ MedicalMedical $$ HousingHousing $$ TransportTransport $$ OtherOther $$

( based on 2 adults and one child)( based on 2 adults and one child)

Living wages are those wages Living wages are those wages necessary to meet minimum necessary to meet minimum monthly expenses. monthly expenses.

Arkansas advocates for Children and Arkansas advocates for Children and Families argues that Roberto and Families argues that Roberto and Alice would need to earn Alice would need to earn approximately $13.70 per hour in approximately $13.70 per hour in order to meet their family’s basic order to meet their family’s basic needsneeds