Social
Stratification
Part ONE: The Basics
Social Stratification
• DEFINITION: the ranking
of individuals based on the
unequal distribution of
power, prestige & property
• Access to scarce resources & social rewards
• Resources & Rewards:
• Ex: Education, stable job and bank loan
Social Stratification
• In most cases, power, prestige
& property occur together;
however, this is not
always true
• EXAMPLES?
Social Stratification
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Property:
Net worth and/or wealth
Objective measurement
Wealth Distribution in America
Power:
Capacity to influence people & events in order
to obtain wealth & prestige
• Subjective measurement
Social Stratification
• Prestige:
• An individual’s status
among his peers and
in society
• Subjective measurement
Social Stratification
• Which careers do you think are most prestigious? Least
prestigious? Do you agree??
Socioeconomic Status
• DEFINITION: a rating that determines an
individual’s relative position within the system
of stratification
• Three Factors:
• Education
• Occupation
• Income
Part TWO: Systems of
Stratification
Caste System
• Position based on ascribed status
• Fixed, closed boundaries
• Not much potential for social
mobility
• Endogamy; exogamy not permitted
• Status consistency
Class System
• Position based
on achieved
status
• Open boundaries
• Greater potential for social mobility
• Endogamy not required; exogamy allowed
• Less status consistency
Social Class
• DEFINITION: a group
of people who share
similar levels of wealth,
influence and status (SES)
• Sociologists use THREE methods to determine
one’s social class
Social Class
• Objective Method: analyzes
“hard” facts
• Subjective Method: asks
people what they think of
themselves
• Reputational Method: asks what people think of
others
Part THREE: Social
Stratification in the US
Hot Button Question:
Why are wealthy
people wealthy?
Why are poor people
poor?
Student Responses…Wealthy
people are wealthy because…
• Wealthy people have a different mindset than poor people.
To wealthy people, money is very important so they will do
whatever they need to become successful.
• They worked for their wealth or they were given their wealth
• Wealthy people are wealthy because they work hard and
seek for opportunities to help them. I don’t think that all
wealthy people are just born into their wealth.
• They worked hard in school and strived to be the person they
are today.
• They worked hard…some people are born into it but they
still have to work hard to continue to generate money.
Student Responses…Wealthy
people are wealthy because…
• They work for what they want.
• They tend to come from backgrounds that promote
individualism & independence.
• They generally come from wealth and know how to manage
money.
• Sometimes it has to do with what you are born into, but a lot
of it has to do with personal drive and wanting to be
successful.
• They achieve a status, they are born into wealth, or they
inherit it.
• They are hardworking or through cheating and stealing.
Student Responses…Wealthy
people are wealthy because…
• They obtain wealth by working well-paying jobs,
investing/saving their money & by making smart financial
decisions
• They are the in most cases the ones that worked the hardest
• They have made some type of effort to get the money they
have
• Because they are raised well, hard-working, and/or lucky
• They either worked their *** off all their lives or they’ve
become wealthy from a past generation that worked their
butt off
Student Responses…Wealthy
people are wealthy because…
• They have the ability to stay wealthy by maybe manipulation,
discretion, and some stay wealthy keeping poor the poor
• They could own their own business, or have a very advanced
job at a major company where they are paid good money. In
my opinion, not all wealthy people deserve to be wealthy.
Some are only wealthy b/c of money they inherited from their
parents, so in reality they worked for nothing
• Wealthy people are almost always afforded unique
opportunities from birth
• Because of their parents…or b/c they’re attractive and
married into it
Student Responses…Wealthy
people are wealthy because…
• Because our capitalist economic system is being hindered by
socialist methods from our government. These socialist policies
are to blame for the worrying pattern of the wealthy
remaining wealthy through generations, and the poor and
homeless being unable to find more success. After all,
capitalism guarantees an equal chance of finding success for
all, not guaranteed success for all…but hey, if you prefer that
comfort, please move to France and let the USA do its own
thing. 
Student Responses…Wealthy
people are wealthy because…
• They work hard to earn a living. They save their money
wisely in order to remain wealthy.
• They worked harder or smarter than everyone else.
• They are smart, work hard, and work in fields that are
their strengths.
• They went the extra mile to succeed and have the best
education to get the best paying job.
Student Responses…Wealthy
people are wealthy because…
• They have money.
• They either inherited the money or they know how the
world works.
• They can afford excess.
• They either have an amazing job, or got money passed
down.
• Often wealthy people are wealthy because they are born
into a family who has collected wealth for many years.
Student Responses…Poor
people are poor because…
• They decided to not go to school, because they were
cheated, or because they can’t find a job that can make
them enough money.
• Something detrimental happened, by choices, or just that is
has always been that way.
• They were born poor.
• Some poor people have made poor decisions (pun
intended??), while some are just going through rough
times.
Student Responses…Poor
people are poor because…
• They are underachievers with little to no aspiration to succeed.
• They didn’t work. Everyone in America has access to public
schools, an affordable community college, or even an outstanding
university for free if they work hard enough to get a
scholarship…poverty is brought on by yourself.
• They can’t manage money or didn’t take school seriously or made
a bad decision.
• They come from backgrounds that involved a lot of dependence.
• They are not working hard enough and are lazy or just very
unlucky.
Student Responses…Poor
people are poor because…
• They either didn’t try or didn’t want to work hard
• Of bad financial decisions, not having enough money to
overspend/live beyond their means
• They have not made smart financial decisions
• They have not done anything, therefore they are poor
• Usually because they are lazy or stupid
Student Responses…Poor
people are poor because…
• They are lazy and don’t work as hard as wealthy people.
• They are lazy and don’t do enough for themselves and
probably do drugs.
• Poor people don’t know how to invest and save their
money. Also, they don’t take advantage of the education
given to them.
• They don’t want to try as hard as those who are wealthier.
• They want to work for someone instead of being an
entrepreneur.
• They are unwilling to work or have bad luck.
Student Responses…Poor
people are poor because…
• Each person has a “hand” dealt to them in life.
Intelligence, as well as social opportunities such as wealth,
schooling and peer group influences our goals and
outcomes
• In most cases, I don’t think poor people work any less hard
– they just didn’t necessarily have the same advantages of
others
• Poor people usually haven’t had access to the resources
needed to break the cycle of poverty
• They were born into poverty
Student Responses…Poor
people are poor because…
• They have lower income jobs.
• They either lost a job, grew up in a poor environment, don’t
have an education, or couldn’t afford an education, or are
just lazy and live off the government.
• They were either born into a poor family and had less
opportunities or did not work hard.
• The poor are poor because of their pre-existing situation,
economic tragedies that happened in their life, and their low
access to higher paying jobs.
• Poor people may not have the same opportunities as the
wealthy.
And Finally…
• Some people are wealthy because they worked hard to get a
good job. Some people are poor because they haven’t worked
for money. HOWEVER, more often people are born into a social
class that gives them either advantages or disadvantages in
society.
Hot Button Question:
Is homelessness a
problem that should
concern the American
public? If so, what
should be done to
remedy the issue of
homelessness? Should
the government do
something?
Student Responses…YES!
• Yes, the government needs to afford all of its citizens
an equal chance at contributing their potential to
society. This equal opportunity often needs an initial
assistance to be functional.
• Yes, we should never abandon or turn our backs on
those most in need. Those who “have” think they
have worked hard for what they have and think they
poor are just lazy; however, the poor have worked
just as hard, they just aren’t given the same
opportunities
Student Responses…YES!
• Yes, because we pride ourselves on being a country to
helps all
• I feel like homelessness should be a concern to the
American public because if we were to put ourselves
in their shoes, half of us would not survive due to the
“spoiledness” that we have become…since everyone
is so quick to take in a stray dog or cat, why can’t we
as humans, help other humans in need?
Student Responses…YES!
• Yes, it should concern the public. A nation can best be
seen at how it treats its worst of citizens. Much more
than what is being done, via welfare programs and
outreach projects to actually help those in need get
back on their feet
• Yes, homelessness degrades the quality of life for all
around
• Yes, I don’t think it should be an obligation that
people help the homeless, but I still wish more people
would care to help
Student Responses…YES!
• Yes, I think that many people have the misconception
that homeless individuals are the people who made
poor decisions or didn’t follow the “right” track in
life. Though this may be true for some, most are
stuck in an unfortunate situation
Student Responses…YES!
• There is homelessness all over America, it just might
not be seen in places that aren’t big cities. I think it
should concern people. I don’t believe that people
shouldn’t have a home. More people should be
willing to open up homeless shelters and feed hungry
and homeless people.
Student Responses…UMM…
• To a certain extent, yes homelessness is a bad thing
and we should try to help in any way, but there will
always be homeless people so it should not be our
main focus.
• To an extent. There isn’t much that can be done if
they aren’t willing to work for it.
• To an extent. Charity work is great and should be
encouraged; however, it should not turn into the
burden for others to bear
Student Responses…UMM…
• Homelessness is a problem, but I think we should
look at it on a person level. I believe we should ask
the questions: Are they truly trying hard to get a
job? Are they drug-free?
• Homelessness is a problem that should be
sympathized by the American public, but not one that
should concern them because all societies have
homeless people. We should just continue trying to
create jobs and collecting food for charities.
Student Responses…NO!
• I don’t think that homelessness is that much of a
problem today because of all of the welfare bills or
acts that allow people to live off of the government.
The government is allowing people to not have to
work and still receive money.
Student Responses…NO!
• No, homelessness is not an American problem, it is
the homeless person’s problem.
• Homelessness is not a concern America should be
worried about because it’s an individual’s problem.
• No. Most of the time it’s their fault.
Hot Button Question:
Does the government
have a responsibility
to help the
homeless?
Student Responses…YES
• Yes, whether it be giving them a temporary place to
live or checks to help pay for food, help should always
be given until those people get back on their feet. If
our gov’t has the power to tax us and regulate our
rights then they have the power to administer help to
the struggling member of society
• Yes, in a democratic society where the people hold the
power, the gov’t should help those who do not have
the same advantages
Student Responses…YES
• The government’s job is to serve the people, not vice versa. It
has duty to do everything it can do to help those who are having
a difficult time in life
• Yes, the gov’t is “for the people” so it should do everything in its
power to help the less privileged
• Yes, because a lot of time its not their fault. There’s a reason it’s
called “privilege” and some people start off without that
privilege at a disadvantage and they are stuck there through no
fault of their own. The gov’t is supposed to look after the
welfare of its people and it shouldn’t be able to pick and choose
which ones to help and which ones to ignore
Student Responses…SORT OF?
• The gov’t does have a responsibility , yet they should not
continue to excessively rob those who work hard of their well
earned money
• I feel the gov’t should try and help the less privileged but not the
ones that just don’t care at all about their future – that is a
waste of time and money and effort
• Yes, to an extent… It should be verified that those who the
gov’t is investing in are having to help themselves (drug testing,
looking for jobs, etc)
• In a smaller way, yes. The gov’t should only assist those in most
need with others dependent on them…they should be actively
trying to help themselves…not just people who live off of the
gov’t
Lower Class
• 15–20% of population
• Less than $23,000/year
Lower Class
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Characteristics:
Poverty, homelessness, unemployment
(Absolute poverty v. relative poverty)
Most do not have high school diplomas
Lack of adequate housing, food, clothing,
safety, medical care, etc.
Working Class
• 30–40% of population
• Median: males ($40,000) &
females ($26,000)
• Minimally educated,
though generally have high
school diplomas
• Manual labor
Working Class
• Working poor:
• Unskilled workers
• Dishwashers, cashiers,
maids, servers, etc.
• Minimum wage; underpaid
• No opportunity for career advancement; “deadend job”
Working Class
• Blue Collar:
• Skilled workers;
trade
• Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, truck drivers,
police officers, etc.
• Better wages than the working poor
Middle Class, “Sandwich”
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•
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•
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40–50% of population
Median: males ($70,000) & females ($50,000)
Lower Middle:
Less education (B.A.) with lower incomes
Upper Middle:
Highly educated (M.A, PhD) with higher incomes
Upper Class
• 1–3% of population
• Generally 250,000+
• Top 1% owns 33% of
total wealth
Upper Class
• Lower-Upper:
• “New” money
• Made from investments,
business ventures, etc.
Upper Class
• Upper-Upper:
• “Old” money
• Aristocratic,
high-society,
inheritance
Generally have an M.A. or higher
Manual, though skilled labor
Generally have a B.A.
May or may not have a high school education
Characterized by “new” money
Part FOUR: Theory
Stratification: Theory
Structural-Functionalism
vs.
Conflict Theory
Stratification: Theory
• Functionalism:
• Social stratification is a
necessary component of
society; the linkage of
greater rewards to more
important social
positions benefits
society as a whole;
USEFUL & INEVITABLE
• Conflict:
• Social stratification is
the result of social
conflict; differences in
social rewards serve the
interests of some while
harming the interests of
others; ONLY USEFUL TO
SOME PEOPLE
Stratification: Theory
• Functionalism:
• Matches talents &
abilities to appropriate
jobs
• Values & beliefs that
legitimize social
inequality are shared
throughout society
• Conflict:
• Ensures that large
amounts of talent &
ability will NOT be
developed
• Values & beliefs tend to
reflect the interests of
the more powerful
members of society
Part FIVE:
Social Mobility
Social Mobility
• Definition:
the movement
between or
within social classes or strata
• An important feature of the open
class system
Types of Social Mobility
• Horizontal Mobility: movement within a
social class or stratum
• Does not involve any major change in a
person’s wealth, power, or prestige
• Most common
Types of Social Mobility
• Vertical Mobility: movement between
social classes or strata
• Can be upward or downward
Types of Social Mobility
• Intragenerational Mobility: a change in
social position that occurs during a
person's lifetime
• Intergenerational Mobility: form of
vertical mobility in which status differs
between generations in the same family
• A quick lesson on social mobility