Social Stratification

1. Social Stratification

2. What is Social Stratification? Social stratification � a system by which a society ranks ________ of people in a ________.

3. Stratification is a trait of society. It persists over generations. It is _______ , but _______. It involves not just inequality, but beliefs. What is Social Stratification?

4. Caste and Class Systems A caste system � social stratification based on ascription or birth. _____ alone determines one�s destiny. There is little opportunity for social _______.

5. Caste and Class Systems Caste systems are typical of agrarian societies because the lifelong routines of agriculture depend on a rigid sense of ____ and ________.

6. Caste and Class Systems The white minority had been the ruling class over the black majority. Even the end of apartheid led to little improvement for millions of poor, black people.

7. Caste and Class Systems A class system � social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement. Even blood relatives may have different social ________.

8. Caste and Class Systems Industrial societies move towards meritocracy, social stratification based on ________ ____. In class systems, status consistency is _____ than in caste systems.

9. Caste and Class Systems Stratification persists because it is backed up by an ideology, cultural beliefs that justify social ________.

10. Caste and Class Systems In class systems, social position is a reflection of personal talent and effort.

11. The Functions of Social Stratification The Davis-Moore Thesis � stratification has ________ consequences for the operation of a society. Society must attach enough rewards to the more important jobs to attract the _____ necessary to perform these jobs well.

12. The Functions of Social Stratification Other jobs demand the scarce talents of people with _______ training. The greater the _________ of a position, the more rewards attached to it.

13. Stratification and Conflict Karl Marx explained you can either own property, or work for others. Marx saw classes as defined by people�s __________ to the means of ________.

14. Stratification and Conflict Capitalism makes class conflict ________. Marx examined the conflict between the ________ class (bourgeoisie) and the _______ class (proletariat).

15. Stratification and Conflict Max Weber agreed that stratification causes social conflict.

16. Stratification and Interaction

17. Stratification and Conflict Socioeconomic status (SES) � a composite ranking based on various dimensions of ________.

18. Stratification and Technology With simple technology, survival depends on sharing what group members have. As technological advances create surplus, inequality ________. Industrialization turns the tide, lessening inequality.

19. Stratification and Technology In its post-industrial phase, the United States has shown an ________ income inequality of all high-income nations.

20. Inequality in the United States Society is highly ________. The rich have more money, more education, better health, and consume more goods and services than the poor.

21. Inequality in the United States Income � wages or salary from work and earnings from investments. On average, women have _____ income, wealth, and occupational prestige than men.

22. Inequality in the United States __________ serves as a key source of social prestige since we commonly evaluate each other according to what we do.

23. Income, Wealth, and Power Wealth � the total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts. ______ is distributed less equally than ______.

24. Work provides income and prestige. We evaluate each other according to the kind of work we do. ________ ________ are much the same in all industrial societies. Income, Wealth, and Power

25. Social Class in the United States Families in the upper class earn at least $160,000 annually and may earn ten times that much. The majority of the population are in the middle class. One-third of the population reside in the _______ class.

26. The Difference Class Makes Children born into ____ families are three times more likely to die from disease, neglect, accidents, or violence during their first year of life.

27. The Difference Class Makes Affluent people have a strong sense of family history, and are more tolerant of ___________ behavior.

28. The Difference Class Makes More ________ people support the Republican party, and people with fewer advantages favor the Democrats.

29. Social Mobility Intragenerational social mobility � a change in social position occurring ______ a person�s lifetime. Intergenerational social mobility � upward or downward social mobility of children in relation to their _______.

30. Poverty in the United States Relative poverty � the deprivation of some people in _______ to those who have more. Absolute poverty � a __________ of resources that is life threatening.

31. Poverty in the United States In 2005, the government tallied 37 million people as poor in this country. (12.6% of population)

32. Poverty in the United States Welfare Reform � recent data show that the welfare rolls have been cut __ ___.

33. Explaining Poverty One View: Blame the Poor The ____ are mostly responsible for their own poverty. Anyone who is poor either cannot or will not ____.

34. Explaining Poverty Counterpoint: Blame Society _____ is primarily responsible for poverty. The loss of jobs in the inner cities is the primary cause.

35. Homelessness Most homeless people report they do not work.

36. Homelessness One-fourth are _______ ___. Most live in urban areas.