Soc. 100 Lecture 16.C8 Stratification

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Edited 3/31/01

Social Stratification0. Introduction

1. Some Basics concepts * 1(b). Social Mobility *

2. Theories of Social Class *2(a) Functionalists (Meritocracy) Durkheim et. el. 2(b) Conflict Marx2(c) Wealth, Power, Prestige, Weber

3. Social Stratification in the USThe American Class System *

4. Poverty in America

5. Global Stratification

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0. Introduction

- jimmy and Bobby's life chances (pg 273)

possibilities for college

size of income

political influence

social esteem

mental illness

health

life span

where you live

Social class

Ethnicity

Race

Gender

(Talent & Efforts)

Related ordetermines

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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) ________

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You decide who is head of household

--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 professor minister (hi prestige, low $) off shore oil rig worker (low prestige, high $)

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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

LC

MC

UC M-F

M-F

M-F

Homosexual

Homosexual

Homosexual Mode:Race, ethnicity, disabilities

Gender, sexual orientation are examples of differentiationRace, ethnicity tend to be stratification

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1b. Social Mobility

(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

movement up or down the social ladder

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(a) closed system---ascribed social position (Traditional Caste system in India*)

Nearly 1/4 billion people refer to themselves as dallies, meaning “oppressed people”

• 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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(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

• Inequality due to lack of ability or individual efforts

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Mobility

A Absolute B Generational C Relative A & B Absolute

(c) Types of Individual Mobility: moving up or down the status hierarchy

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(d) Structural Mobility

1900 - 1960 (?) -- rise of the whole system; tech, jobs

1970 - 1990 --- rise of upper & decrease in lower

----Structural Mobility in U.S.-------Except for depression and recent decades consistent upward movement

With 2 workingoutside the home

With probably 1 workingoutside the home11

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

Divisions depend on the problem addressedand the differences found in the classes12

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)

Herbert Ganns sees poverty is functional; no crime -->no police, no poor---> no social worker

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2(b). Theories of Social Class --Conflict Marx The Manifesto

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

-seeds of destruction or w / in the society (feudalism produced excess and base for capitalism. Capitalism increased proletariat and provided basis for developing common ID)

Economic Determinism

Haves vs. Have notsBourgeoisie vs. Proletariat

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• 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

Some Problems with Marx’s Predictions

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

-Power: ability to have one's way in communal action

-Prestige: popularity in a group

• 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”)

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{These

Sometimes coincide and

sometimesdo not.

Ms Marx: Karl Marx’s great granddaughter

Katherina a German actress 1999

Corrupted by Capitalism?

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. Social Stratification in the USThe American Class System * Not same as text

3(a). Class structure

1018

3(b). Distribution of wealth / income in the U.S

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

See other caparisons in text page 285

Richest man USand world46 billion 2002stock market down

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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

Therefore much of wealth in US is New Wealth21

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 poor23

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*

-Homeless•

50% Of increase in povertysince 70’s is children

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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

Most welfare is designed to sustain, only 10% goes to education and training

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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

• In U.S. 2/5 of blacks unlikely to find a job28

4(c) Poverty in US* Social Theories of -Ghetto poverty

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 : creation of values by social structure

then future behavior follows from those values

---page 298-299--

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4(d). Poverty in US Causes of homelessness

Estimated 250,000 to 3 million are homeless

Why1. Decline in demand for low skilled workers

2. Cuts in assistance programs

3. cutbacks in subsidies for disabled -deinstutionalization of 70-80's4. Less availability of low cost housing

5. Arrival of crack in mid 80s (had been alcohol)

6. Polices focus on emergencies not solutions

-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

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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.31

5. Global Stratification-- Wallerstein

“World Market System”

--page 304-308

- 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

• Global stratification

industrialization reduced differences within a society

increased differences between societies. (comparison p305 and web page below)

32See “http://caldera.calstatela.edu/DemoLab/” to compare countries

5b World Systems Theory

• 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...

Economic Alignment

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5c First, Second, Third World

• 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....)

• Third World: “nonaligned”, developing countries (n=125) also used to refer to nonindustralized countries, unskilled, low tech, specialized economies (e.g. PRC, India, Brazil....

Political Alignment -Older categories Pre end of “cold war”

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5(c). Social Class and the history of societies --Lenski and Wallerstein-different chapter in

text

• there is a pattern to stratification

• pattern is related to technology development

Hunters and Gathers Horticulturists

Agrarian States Industrial Nations

World Systems

Lenski: History of the changing structure of human societies

See in more complete outline version in back of class workbook “Changing Structure of Human Societies”

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Group Study TopicsGoals

The idea is to be able to briefly present in your own words :

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

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Discussion Topics1. 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

4. DESCRIBE GLOBAL STRATIFICATION WITH EXAMPLES pg XXX

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1. WHAT IS STRATIFICATION? pg. XXX

Topics: Introduction, What is stratification?, Open and closed social systems, how to 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

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, laissez-faire

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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 Questions1.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

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 p211. 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?

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QUIZ p1answers

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

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

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Quiz p3 answers

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

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Concept Quiz Chapter 8

1. Closed System

2. Meritocracy

3. Social mobility

4. Status Inconsistency

5. Structural Mobility

6. Wealth

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Define and give an example of each of the following concepts

Omit any one term, must write OMIT over the question number