Soc. 100 Lecture 16.C8 Stratification

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Soc. 100 Lecture 16.C8 Stratification
Edited 3/31/01
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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
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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 or determines
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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) ________
You decide who is head of household
--check out workbook SES questions then look
at the text page 282- 283 to determine your SES
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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

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

Nearly 1/4 billion people refer to themselves as
dallies, meaning oppressed people
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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
(c) Types of Individual Mobility moving up
or down the status hierarchy
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A Absolute B Generational
C Relative A B Absolute
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(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
With probably 1 working outside the home
With 2 working outside the home
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Status/social class measurement techniques
1. Objective criteria (SES) Wealth-Income-educatio
n 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 addressed and the differences found in
the classes
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2(a). Theories of Social Class --Functionalists
Meritocracy
Durkheim et.
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Survivability------gtDivision of labor ------gt
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 --gtno police, no poor---gt no social worker
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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 -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)
Haves vs. Have nots Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat
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Some Problems with Marxs Predictions

• Marxist inspired revolutions havent 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 Marks
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)

These Sometimes coincide and sometimes do not.
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Ms Marx Karl Marxs great granddaughter
Katherina a German actress 1999Corrupted by
Capitalism?
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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
Wealth -- what people own, ( or control)
Income -- earned money wages, interest
dividends, etc.
Richest man US and world 46 billion 2002 stock
market down
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
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Inequality in Wealth p285

• Nearly propertyless class, (45) worth lt30,000,
  few assets, bank accounts, homes (36, cars (90)
• Nest Egg class, (45) worth lt30,000-300,000,
  savers not investors (CDd, 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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Americas Rich p285-286

• Forbes identified 400 worth gt400 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 Waltons heirs, McDonalds heirs)
• Forth group notable in absence because fortunes
  are depleted or dispersed (Rockerfellers, Melons,
  Fords

Therefore much of wealth in US is New Wealth
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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) 1973s 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, Odds3X for blacks and
Latinos Age--increase for children (50
of increase since 70s) 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 poverty since 70s 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
• lt42 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

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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" SowetoChicago
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 job
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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
creation of values by social structure
then future behavior follows from those values
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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
Estimated 250,000 to 3 million are homeless
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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.
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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
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5b World Systems Theory
Economic Alignment

• 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...

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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....)
• Third World nonaligned, developing countries
  (n125) also used to refer to nonindustralized
  countries, unskilled, low tech, specialized
  economies (e.g. PRC, India, Brazil....

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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 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 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
• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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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. 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 Andys social class
according to text?
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Quiz p2
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• 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 70s?
• 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
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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 Andys 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 70s?
  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
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• 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
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Define and give an example of each of the
following concepts

1. Closed System
2. Meritocracy
3. Social mobility
4. Status Inconsistency
5. Structural Mobility
6. Wealth

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