Social Structure

1. Social Structure • Capitalism: • the means of production (land, money, equipment) are privately owned • Corporate capitalism: • the economy is dominated by large, powerful corporations

2. Dilbert • many workers are employed by corporations • no such thing as “a job for life”

4. USA (1997): Richest 20% 46.4% income Poorest 20% 5.2% income UK (1995): Richest 20% 43.2% income Poorest 20% 6.1% income Social Inequality

5. Poverty • 13% of families in USA below the “poverty line” (1999) • many are African-American, Hispanic, or Native American

6. Social Classes • Upper class: • inherited wealth, or • successful business owners or managers • Middle class: • “white collar” workers (educated professionals) • Lower class (working class): • “blue collar” workers (manual labour)

7. Middle Class • more that 50% of Americans • mainstream America • largest consumer group • largest voting group

8. Class in Britain • a long history of class • aristocratic families • a strong awareness of class

9. Class in USA • most immigrants were poor • belief that anyone can be successful • belief that class “doesn’t exist” • but it does!

10. Class in Australia • similar to USA • “the Aussie battler” (respect for the working class)

11. Family • basic social unit: nuclear family (parents and children) • can easily move (to find work)

12. Moving Out • many people want to leave home as soon as they can afford to • in America it is common for students to study at a college in a different city

13. Households • nuclear family • extended family • young couple • older couple (children grown up) • single • shared