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This comprehensive overview explores social stratification through various sociological lenses, including Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism. Functionalism posits that the most qualified individuals assume crucial roles, leading to inequality based on job importance. Conflict Theory, inspired by Karl Marx, highlights exploitation and the two-class divide—bourgeoisie and proletariat. Symbolic Interactionism emphasizes socialization in accepting stratification. The text also discusses absolute and relative poverty, identifying factors like race and gender, along with mechanisms to address poverty and different forms of social mobility, including caste and open-class systems.
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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.
