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Social Stratification Explanations. Each sociological perspective explains social stratification in a different way. Functionalism. The most qualified fill the most important positions. People are rewarded for their efforts. Inequality exists because certain jobs have more importance.
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Social Stratification Explanations Each sociological perspective explains social stratification in a different way.
Functionalism • The most qualified fill the most important positions. • People are rewarded for their efforts. • Inequality exists because certain jobs have more importance. • Money pays for sacrifices. • I.e. More money for more education, talent, training.
Conflict Theory • Inequality exists because people are willing to exploit others. • Stratification is based on force rather than choice. • Based on Marx ideas
Karl Marx • Predicted that society would be reduced to two social classes • Bourgeoisie- own means of production (rulers) • Proletariat- workers (ruled) • Capitalists legitimize their behavior. • False Consciousness-adoption of the ideas of the dominant class by the less powerful class
Symbolic Interactionism • People are socialized to accept existing stratification. • It’s not fair to challenge the system. • Looking-Glass Self Perspective • Causes of different self-concepts
Absolute Poverty • The absence of enough money to secure life’s necessities (food, safe place to live)
Relative Poverty • A measure of poverty based on the economic disparity between those at the bottom of a society and the rest of the society
Identifying The Poor • How are race and ethnicity related to poverty? • How are gender and age related to poverty? • Feminization of poverty, a trend in society in which women an children make up an increasing proportion of the poor
International Poverty Line • Minimum level of income deemed adequate to live • $1.25=0.470 Fils • 12.7 % of all Americans are below the poverty line. (37 million people)
Responses To Poverty Problem • Focus on self-improvement vs. temporary relief • Work Experience/Opportunity Programs • Youth Training Programs • Welfare • Temporary economic assistance for needy • I.e. Food stamps, Tax Breaks, Medical Leave
Social Mobility The movement of individuals or groups between social classes
Types Of Social Mobility • Horizontal Mobility- a change in occupation within the same social class • Vertical Mobility- a change upward or downward in occupational status or social class • Intergenerational Mobility- a change in status or class from one generation to the next
Caste System • A stratification structure that does not allow for social mobility • Social status is inherited and cannot be changed. • Relationships are limited. • Religious, biological, superstitious, or legal justification • I.e. Indian Caste System
Open-Class System • A system in which social class is based on merit and individual effort • Movement is allowed between classes. • Based on ideas, abilities, education, and resources • In reality, opportunity limits open-class systems.