Social Class
Today:
What is Social Class?
Sociological Perspectives on
Poverty
Socialism and Capitalism
“Life’s challenges are
not supposed to
paralyze you, they’re
supposed to help you
discover who you are.”
-Bernice Johnson
Reagon, singer
Test # 3
19. The article So Sexy So Soon discusses a 7 year old girl who:
a) Asks her mother if she can get breast implants
b) Thinks she is too fat
c) Has a mother who thinks it is fine for her daughter to have a boyfriend
d) Has a mother who allows her to wear make-up, high heels, and mini-skirts
20. Your text explains how gender roles vary. One example given is of:
a) Boys in western Africa carrying mirrors, fixing their hair, and putting on eyeliner.
b) Girls in the United States who play football in high school.
c) Polyandry (the practice of one woman having multiple husbands) in ancient Tibet
d) Sexual harassment by female bosses of male employees
What is social class?
Max Weber: people who rank closely to one another in terms of:
class/wealth
Property and
income minus
debt
1864-1920
power
Ability to get
others to do
what you want
prestige
Level of
respect an
individual or
their position
demands
Status consistent vs. Status inconsistent
Rank equally on all = Status Consistent
Status inconsistent =not equal on all 3 measures of class
class/wealth
power
prestige
Property and income Ability to get others Level of respect an
minus debt
to do what you want individual or their
position demand
What is social class?
• Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and “have-nots”
• based on the means of production
• 2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat
Lawyer who works for a firm and
clients
1818 –1883
Independent cab driver who owns
his taxi
*Bourgeois= adjective
C. Wright Mills
Power Elite
Key people in three major institutions of modern society,
government, military, and economy.
1916-1962
Power Elite
• Small group of people who control a high amount of wealth
and access to decision-making of global consequence
1.“If you put your mind to it you can get from the
bottom to the top.” Do you agree? Why or why
not?
2. What obstacles in U.S. History existed for African
Americans to obtain wealth?
3. Fair Housing Act of 1935?
4. Impact on children?
5. How does parental wealth help?
How has U.S. policy influenced social
stratification?
View: The Way We Live. Ups and Downs of
Social Stratification
9:35-17:30
The American Dream-Rags to Riches
“America is the land of opportunities, anyone who
works hard enough can achieve anything and
accomplish any goal.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Why?
The American Dream-Rags to Riches
Horatio Alger myth: belief that due to limitless possibilities
anyone can get ahead if he or she tries hard enough
What is social stratification?
• Institutionalized pattern of
inequality
• Some people get more
access to resources than
others
• Reflecting inequalities in
life chances
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
• Poverty persists because it performs some positive functions
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view:
• Provides society with people willing to do less desirable jobs
• Provides jobs
• Provides a market for lesser goods
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view
• Talents are rewarded
• All positions in a society (doctors - janitors)
must be filled
• Poverty discourages people
from neglecting their social duties
Functionalist
Perspective
• Criticized because
not all careers are
rewarded for their
value in society
Causes of Poverty
Interactionist Perspective- 1st view
People get used to living in
poverty
Have difficulty changing the
situation
Criticized because it seems to
“blame the victim”
Symbolic
Interactionist Perspective 2nd view
Labels of poor:
View of wealthy:
•irresponsible
•lazy
•low motivation
•low ability
•low morals
•capable
•hard working
•motivated
•deserving of wealth
•evil, greedy, undeserving
Conflict Perspective
• Karl Marx: ruling class controls the economic system for its
own benefit
• Exploits and oppresses the masses
Conflict Perspective
Occupy Wall Street Protests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgr3DiqWYCI
Extra Credit Opportunity
Video Review
View Capitalism A Love Story
Michael Moore
If you agree with Conflict Theory:
Describe 3 points the film makes that
support the theory
If you disagree with Conflict Theory:
Describe 3 counter-arguments you have
to points made in the film
Which explanation of poverty applies best to
today’s economic crisis? Why?
a. Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in
poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation
b. Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy
and lose out on opportunities due to the label
c. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it
motivates people to seek higher rewards
d. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have
money and power
Discuss your answers in groups of
2-4
Socialism and Capitalism

Socialism – spread the wealth/resources evenly
Economic system - means of producing goods and services
are collectively owned
Story of Gloria
Socialism and Capitalism

Capitalism – competition for wealth
Economic system- private individuals or groups invest $ to
produce goods and services to sell for a profit
Extra Credit Opportunity
Video Review
View Mammoth
Coming up:
Next Class: Health-Read article on website College
Students’ Health
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
1. bad
economy
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
2. bad
schools
Causes of Poverty
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Culture of poverty: viewing problematic behaviors
(selling drugs, dropping out of school, not having a job)
as normal
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
3. family
breakdown
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
4. problems
with
government
assistance
Poverty In The United States
Poverty in the U.S.
Almost 18 million households
had trouble putting food on the
table (2011)
Food insecure: lacking access to
sufficient food for all family
members