Edited 3/31/01
Soc. 100 Lecture 16.C8 Stratification
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Social Stratification
0. Introduction
1. Some Basics concepts *
1(b). Social Mobility *
2. Theories of Social Class *
2(a) Functionalists (Meritocracy) Durkheim et. el.
2(b) Conflict Marx
2(c) Wealth, Power, Prestige, Weber
3. Social Stratification in the US
The American Class System *
4. Poverty in America
5. Global Stratification
2
0. Introduction
- jimmy and Bobby's life chances (pg 273)
possibilities for college
size of income
Social class
Ethnicity
Race
Gender
(Talent & Efforts)
political influence
Related or social esteem
determines
mental illness
health
life span
where you live
3
What Class are You ?
1. List the education in years of your
Mother ___________
Father____________
2. What was your family income in 2000 or 2001
___________
3. What is the occupation of:
Mother ___________
Father____________
Self (goal) ________
You decide who is head of household
4
--check out workbook “SES” questions
then look at the text page 282- 283 to determine your SES
1. Some Basics concepts
Social Differentiation- different social roles and evaluation
developed in early societies through division of labor (not in Soc100 text)
Social stratification - social divisions into layers with
different access to rewards & opportunities (families)
Status--a persons position in the system of stratification
Social class-- people who occupy the same
position (strata layer) in the socioeconomic
hierarchy ---many theorist base on family
Criteria for stratification (SES) - wealth, income,occupation,
education, power, prestige, (ethnicity, gender, age etc.)
General characteristics of social class
• overlapping of criteria
• most see themselves as middle class
• also related to gender, ethnicity (race), age
• variety of measurement techniques *
Status inconsistencies; aspects of status are out of sync (college
5 professor minister (hi prestige, low $) off shore oil rig worker
(low prestige, high $)
1a Stratification vs. Differentiation-not in text
• Differentiation: varying treatment based sex, age,
kinship to ascribe rights and duties
• Stratification: a particular type of differentiation
where ranking and of positions with corresponding
importance and rewards and transmitted socially
over generations
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UC
M-F
Homosexual
MC
M-F
Homosexual
LC
M-F
Homosexual
Mode:Race, ethnicity, disabilities
Gender, sexual orientation are examples of differentiation
Race, ethnicity tend to be stratification
1b. Social Mobility
movement up or down the social ladder
(a) closed system---ascribed social position
(Traditional caste system in India*)
(b) open system system ---achieved social position
(ideal of U.S system)
(c) mobility*
Structural mobility--movement up or down of
layers in the stratification system
individual mobility -- an individual movement up
or down the status hierarchy
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(a) closed system---ascribed social position
(Traditional Caste system in India*)
• Brahmins-priests and scholars
• Kshatriya-nobles and warriors
• Sudra-peasants, laborers and artisans
• Harijans/untouchables-street sweepers, scavengers,
leather workers, swine hearders. In rural areas may
not be allowed to enter temple, draw well water, etc
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Nearly 1/4 billion people refer to themselves as dallies,
meaning “oppressed people”
(b) open system system ---achieved social position
(ideal of U.S system)
• All have equal access
• Differences due to hard work and individual
abilities
• Emphasizes values of individualism,
competition, freedom of choice
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• Inequality due to lack of ability or
individual efforts
(c) Types of Individual Mobility:
moving up or down the status hierarchy
Mobility
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A Absolute
B Generational
C Relative
A & B Absolute
(d) Structural Mobility
----Structural Mobility in U.S.------Except for depression and recent decades consistent upward movement
1900 - 1960 (?) -- rise of the whole system; tech, jobs
1970 - 1990 --- rise of upper & decrease in lower
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With probably 1 working
outside the home
With 2 working
outside the home
Status/social class measurement techniques
1. Objective criteria (SES) Wealth-Income-education
2. Subjective method - e.g. occupational prestige
3. reputational studies - who you know / like
Theoretical Class Structure systems are varied
1. Blue collar --- white collar
2. Upper -- Middle -- Working ---Lower
3. UU, MU, LU -- UM, MM, LM -- UL, ML, LL
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Divisions depend on the problem addressed
and the differences found in the classes
2(a). Theories of Social Class --Functionalists Meritocracy
Durkheim et. el.
Survivability------>Division of labor ------> stratification
1. Societies depend on variety of interdependent
social roles.
2. The roles differ in desirability, importance,
qualifications
3. Thus rewards and status or unequal (this is seen as
necessary to motivate)
Meritocracy; system in which social rewards are
distributed on basis of achievement
in a structure of equal opportunity
(the U.S. value accepted as a truth)
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Herbert Ganns sees poverty is functional;
no crime -->no police, no poor---> no social worker
2(b). Theories of Social Class --Conflict Marx The Manifesto
Economic Determinism
Karl Marx: Stratification is major source of conflict
-history is class struggle
-class development is a
result of division of labor
-class; relationship to
production
-class controls all
• self image
• religion, law
• "false consciousness"
-progress through conflict
Haves vs. Have nots
Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat
-seeds of destruction or w / in the society
14(feudalism produced excess and base for capitalism. Capitalism increased
proletariat and provided basis for developing common ID)
Some Problems with Marx’s Predictions
• Marxist inspired revolutions haven’t developed in
capitalist societies but rather in agrarian societies
• Marx failed to forecast broad structural mobility
• Marx failed to see importance or development of
the middle class (middle management) as a buffer
• Marx failed to seethe development of power
sources for laborers through labor unions and
political participation
With the increased differences between workers and owners in the US and the world
will Mark’s predictions occur?
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2 (c) Theories of Social Class
--Wealth, Power, Prestige, Weber
-----Found Marx too simple and added---• Stratification depends on three variables
- Wealth: ownership or control of objects
These
Sometimes
coincide and
sometimes
do not.
{
-Power: ability to have one's way in communal
action
-Prestige: popularity in a group
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• Ideology / beliefs can be seen as causes for change
The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism
• Stratification is thus multidimensional and group
formation depends on emphasis of interests
• Rationalization--”natural process” of a social
organization, refining and defining (Bureaucracies
and “meritocracies”)
Ms Marx: Karl Marx’s great
granddaughter
Katherina a German
actress 1999
Corrupted by Capitalism?
3. Social Stratification in the US
The American Class System *
Not same as text
a. Class structure*
b. Distribution of wealth / income in the U.S.
c. occupational prestige, table 8-2 page 255
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3(a). Class structure
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3(b). Distribution of wealth / income in the U.S
Richest
man US
and
world
46 billion
2002
stock
market
down
Wealth -- what people own, ( or control)
Income -- earned money; wages, interest
dividends, etc.
• Wealthiest 1/5 earn/income about 10X poorest 1/5
• Wealthiest 1/5 own 3/4 of nations wealth
• Last 2 decades top 1% increased worth by 40%
bottom 90% decreased worth by 20%
---Rich got richer poor got poorer--costs for basics (food, clothes..) -----------------same
costs for homes, cars, education, medical --up
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See other caparisons in text page 285
Inequality in Wealth p285
• Nearly propertyless class, (45%) worth
<$30,000, few assets, bank accounts, homes
(36%, cars (90%)
• “Nest Egg” class, (45%) worth <$30,000$300,000, savers not investors (CD’d,
bonds etc), major assets are bank accounts,
and homes
• Investor class, $300,000 or more, controls
2/3 of US wealth, homes and cars are only
15% of their worth
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America’s Rich p285-286
• Forbes identified 400 worth =>$400 million
• 1/2 are “self made” (Bill Gates came from a well
off UMC family) Warren Buffett…
• Second group run/control businesses started by
earlier generations (Johnsons Wax, Wrigleys, Mars
candy bars)
• Third group inherited but do little or no work
(Sam Walton’s heirs, McDonald’s heirs)
• Forth group notable in absence because fortunes
are depleted or dispersed (Rockerfellers, Melons,
Fords
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Therefore much of wealth in US is New Wealth
The Shrinking Middle page 286
• Many (most?) children in the US will not
progress to the same level their parents did
• many will rent, have limited retirement,
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4. Poverty in America
-poverty line; government estimate $15,569 family of 4 in
1995
Poverty gap--difference in income and poverty line
{arguments about $ for line and numbers in poverty
to low, to high, does not account for geographical
differences
-relative vs. absolute poverty;
{US vs. undeveloped, US vs. developed nations}
-poverty in recent U.S.; change since 74 and 94
(1) 16% increase in gap for families
25% for individuals
(2) 1973’s low of 11% counted as poor
1995 13.8% counted as poor
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4(a) Poverty in US--Who are the poor-1
-Characteristics of the poor in the US are quite diverse
• Risk --urban, feminization, racial minorities, children,
• new poor--"structural unemployment", auto, mfg.
• pattern-- for most poverty is temporary and cyclical,
-life stage
-economy
•Ethnicity--48% White, Odds:3X + for blacks and Latinos
•Age--increase for children (50% of increase since 70’s)
children 1 of 5 are poor, 2 of 5 black or Latino
Old rate is down: 1960 355--1994 12%
•Where--more severe, concentrated in big cities
•Work--only 1/4 could possibly work (age, disability)
-Ghetto Poor--the black underclass *
-impact of poverty ----jimmy and bobby* 50% Of increase in poverty
since 70’s is children
-Homeless•
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Stereotypes and 1/2 Truths About The Poor (p292,293)
(1) Majority of Poor are African American or Latino
48% of poor are white, higher risk for minorities becoming poor
(2) Most Poor do not want to Work
1/2 are children are older the 65, 25% disabled, those able work some of the time
(3) Most Poor live in the Inner City
<42% live in inner cities, 58% live in suburbs, rural areas etc.
(4) Most Poor are single mothers and their Children
63% of poor are married or living alone or with non relatives, single mothers are
3X more likely to be poor
(5) Poor mothers live off welfare
Only 40% of poor collect welfare benefits. Only 2% AFDC became chronic
dependents mot off welfare in 2 years
(6) Welfare programs are big burden on the budget
Only 14% of federal expenditures were for welfare in 1996
(7) Antipoverty programs are designed to reduce poverty
25 Most welfare is designed to sustain, only 10% goes to education and training
Working Poor
• Growth in recent decades of the working
poor; people who do not earn enough to
keep themselves and family out of poverty
• 13% of adult poor worked full time in 1995
and still did not make it above poverty level
• Men in poverty wage jobs rose from 13% to
to 23% in 1995 while females declined from
39% to 37%
A job no longer guarantees that an individual and/or their family will not be poor
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Public Policy
5 year lifetime limit for federal cash assistance
2 year assistance for able bodied after 2 years unless they
get a job
3 month limit on food stamps for unemployed in any 3
year period
Denial of assistance to unwed mothers Ok unless they go
to school and live with an adult
Additional cash to states that lower unwed mother rate
Increased funding for childcare
May receive Medicaid for 2 years if not allowed welfare
but have no job
Goal is to reduce welfare rolls and move people welfare participants to workforce
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4(b) Poverty in US: Ghetto poor--the black underclass
(underclass is code for “undeserving poor”)
• modern phenomenon (Chicago yesterday -- today)
Yesterday: Chicago blacks lived in 1 square mile area
but were employed, jobs ranged labor to professional.
There was a "community"
Soweto=Chicago Ghetto
Today: Chicago blacks still live in circumscribed area and
66% unemployed
1/2 no partner
1/2 not complete high school
6/10 babies wedlock
60% on welfare
2/3 households s moms
1/3 income of rest of Chicago
3/4 no checks, car, ins
• There are more young U.S. blacks in prison
then in college
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• In U.S. 2/5 of blacks unlikely to find a job
4(c) Poverty in US* Social Theories of -Ghetto poverty
---page 298-299--
Culture of Poverty : values thus behavior
Values of low aspiration, impulsiveness
sexual irresponsibility, laziness (opposite of middle class)
Structural change in society :
-social structure- deindustrialization and
changes in composition of the ghetto.
-Jobs, (Warehouses, factories...), and MC moved to suburbs
-Results social isolation and loss of community and informal
organizations, role models for youth, fewer controls and rules
for children
-Rise in drug business
creates situation of social isolation
and behavior follows
Structural change and values :
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creation of values by social structure
then future behavior follows from those values
4(d). Poverty in US Causes of homelessness
-the homeless -- 20 years ago; male, alcoholic, 50+ years old
-- today; mixed group, male (62%), mid 30's,
veterans(18%), mentally disturbed (12%),
disabled (2.8%), increase in women (22%),
mothers (.5%), children (.9)
Major characteristic -length of unemployment, level of disability, social isolation
Why
1. Decline in demand for low skilled workers
2. Cuts in assistance programs
3. cutbacks in subsidies for disabled
-deinstutionalization of 70-80's
4. Less availability of low cost housing
5. Arrival of crack in mid 80s (had been alcohol)
6. Polices focus on emergencies not solutions
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Estimated 250,000 to 3 million are homeless
4(e) Poverty in US Impact Of Poverty- Life Chances
Possibilities of draft and death in Vietnam
Prenatal care and Infant mortality
Chronic disease and general health as adults
Quality and amount of treatment for illness
Possibility divorce
higher intensity of suffering from economic change
(loss of job, no extra/saved $, food cost is high % of
expenses)
Possibility of being a victim, perpetrator,
arrested, are imprisoned in crime
Ability to affect situation (vote, political participation)
Quality and type (discipline,training) of education
Etc.
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5. Global Stratification-- Wallerstein
“World Market System”
--page 304-308
• Global stratification
industrialization reduced differences within
a society
increased differences between
societies. (comparison p305 and web page below)
- industrial nations diversified, colonies specialized,
- 3rd world has overabundance of dependents,
- industrial nations control technology
-status today: 3 competing areas: N. America, Europe,
Pacific Rim
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See “http://caldera.calstatela.edu/DemoLab/” to compare countries
5b World Systems Theory
Economic Alignment
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• Core States: expanding economy, capitalist
agriculture, trade, manufacturing, services,
specialized economy to complement trading
partners(US, Germany, France....)
• Peripheral areas: underdeveloped,
unskilled/coerced labor, extraction or labor export
and agricultural staples, initially colonies then
Gov. by native U/C and M/C (Philippines,
Mexico, El Salvador, Jamaica...)
• Semi-peripheral: avoided subordination by core,
large or special assets, have some characteristics
of core (India, PRC, Brazil, Spain, Turkey, South
Korea...
5c First, Second, Third World
Political Alignment -Older categories Pre end of “cold war”
• First World: industrialized capitalist nations
led by the US (US, Japan, Germany,...)
• Second: the more developed socialist
countries led by the USSR (USSR, Poland,
Romania....)
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• Third World: “nonaligned”, developing
countries (n=125) also used to refer to
nonindustralized countries, unskilled, low
tech, specialized economies (e.g. PRC,
India, Brazil....
5(c). Social Class and the history of societies
--Lenski and Wallerstein-different chapter in text
Lenski: History of the changing structure of human societies
Hunters and Gathers
Horticulturists
Agrarian States
Industrial Nations
World Systems
• there is a pattern to stratification
• pattern is related to technology development
See in more complete outline version in back of class
workbook “Changing Structure of Human Societies”
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Group Study Topics
Goals
The idea is to be able to briefly
present in your own words :
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1. A summary of the general point or
points of the text section
2. The meaning of basic terms used in
the text section
3. The basic concepts of the text
section
Discussion Topics
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1. WHAT IS STRATIFICATION? Pg XXX
AND THE DIFFIRENT TYPES OF MOBILITY
(with examples)
2. THEORIES TO ACCOUNT FOR SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION
Marx and Weber's theory sections pg. XXX
Functionalists and Global stratification sections
pg XXX
3. DESCRIBE POVERTY in AMERICA pg XXX
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4. DESCRIBE GLOBAL STRATIFICATION
WITH EXAMPLES pg XXX
1. WHAT IS STRATIFICATION? pg. XXX
Topics: Introduction, What is stratification?,
Open and closed social systems, how to Don’t Print
measure stratification position
Some Terms:
social stratification, status, social class, status
inconsistency, open and closed stratification
systems, ascribed status, achieved status
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2. THEORIES TO ACCOUNT FOR SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION
(1) Topics: Marx's theory, Weber's theory
sections pg. 273-276
Don’t Print
Terms: Mode of production, feudal
societies, bourgeoisie, proletariat, class
struggle, wealth, power, prestige
(2) Topics: Functionalists and Global
stratification sections pg. 276-279, 282
Terms: Meritocracy, technology, laissezfaire
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Don’t Print
3. DESCRIBE OF STRATIFICATION IN
THE US AND COMPARISON WITH JAPAN
pg. 252-258 and 280-281
Topics: The American Class system,
The changing distribution of wealth
and income in the US, Social
stratification in Japan
Terms: Income, wealth,
deindustrialization, cultural lag,
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4. CLASS SUMMARY OF STRATIFICATION
Topics: POVERTY IN THE US, THE
GHETTO, THE HOMELESS, and
SOCIAL MOBILITY
Terms: Social mobility, structural
mobility, structural unemployment,
underclass, life chances, poverty
line, number of poor vs. risk or rate
of being poor
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Thought Questions
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1.What parts of each theory of stratification
make sense to you?
Do any of the theories appear to explain all
stratification?
2.Japan and the US appear to differ in the
nature of their stratification. Why should this
not be surprising?
3.If all groups in society improve their standard
of living a similar amount, has stratification
changed? What does the term relative mean?
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QUIZ p1 Questions
Don’t Print
1. The ideal for the U.S. is a system where people can rise or go down in social
status. What is this type of system called.
2. A system such as reported in traditional India where people are strictly classified
in their status position is called?
3. Name one variable Weber thought was important that Marx did not see as
important.
4. Does the U.S. have the most open class system in the world? If no, name one
country that is more open
5. A social stratification system in which social rewards are based on achievement
is called?
6. Professors and ministers are typically treated with deference and respect in a
community but compared to others with the same education and responsibilities
their pay is low. What do sociologists call this discrepancy?
7. Give an example in the US where differentiation rather then stratification applies.
8. Name 5 factors that are affected by ones social status.
9. Except for the depression and recent history the economic standing for all
Americans has improved. What specific type of mobility is this?
10. Andy has a college degree, makes $45,000 a year as head of the planning office
for the city of Bakersfield. What is Andy’s social class according to text?
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Quiz p2
Don’t Print
11. What proportion of the wealth of the US is owned by the top 1/5?
12. What “racial” category in the US has the largest number of welfare
recipients?
13. Which age group is 50% of the increase in the poor classification in the US
since the 70’s?
14. Jim works full time at Joanne's Burgers but he is unable to support his
family without assistance. What category does the text say Jim is a member
of?
15. Name one of the structural causes of homelessness.
16. Wallerstien “World Systems Theory” would classify Mexico (pretty much a
dependant relationship with the US as a Core, Peripheral or Semi Peripheral
state?
17. Which type of society is thought to have worked the least number of hours a
day?
QUIZ p1answers
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1. The ideal for the U.S. is a system where people can rise or go down in
social status. What is this type of system called. Open system
2. A system such as reported in traditional India where people are
strictly classified in their status position is called? Closed system
3. Name one variable Weber thought was important that Marx did not see
as important. Ideology (beliefs), prestige
4. Does the U.S. have the most open class system in the world? If no,
name a country is more open No Switzerland, France for example are
more open
5. A social stratification system in which social rewards are based on
achievement is called? Meritocracy, Open System
6. Professors and ministers are typically treated with deference and
respect in a community but compared to others with the same education
and responsibilities their pay is low. What is this discrepancy called by
sociologists? Status inconsistency
7. Give an example in the US where differentiation rather then
stratification applies. gender, sexual orientation, disabilities
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Quiz p2 answers
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8. Name 5 factors that are affected by ones social status. Education,
physical/mental illness, life span, esteem, residence, arrest, income, wealth,
occupation and others
9. Except for the depression and recent history the economic standing for all
Americans has improved. What specific type of mobility is this? Structural
Mobility (upward mobility is inadequate)
10. Andy has a college degree, makes $45,000 a year as head of the planning
office for the city of Bakersfield. What is Andy’s social class according to
text? Middle Class
11. What proportion of the wealth of the US is owned by the top 1/5? 3/4
12. What “racial” category in the US has the largest number of welfare
recipients? White
13. Which age group is 50% of the increase in the poor classification in the US
since the 70’s? children
14. Jim works full time at Joanne's Burgers but he is unable to support his
family without assistance. What category does the text say Jim is a member
of? Working Poor
Quiz p3 answers
Don’t Print
15. Name one of the structural causes of homelessness. Decline in
demand for low skilled workers, Cuts in programs, cutbacks in
subsidies to disabled, Lack of low cost housing, Crack, focus on
emergencies not solutions, Deinstitutionalization of mentally ill
16. Wallerstien “World Systems Theory” would classify Mexico (pretty
much a dependant relationship with the US as a Core, Peripheral or
Semi Peripheral state? Peripheral
17. Which type of society is thought to have worked the least number
of hours a day? Hunter-gatherer
Concept Quiz Chapter 8
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Define and give an example of each of the following concepts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Closed System
Meritocracy
Social mobility
Status Inconsistency
Structural Mobility
Wealth
Omit any one term, must write OMIT over the question number