Social Stratification Unit 8Stratification – in geology it’s layers of rockSocial stratification – structured inequality1. Upper class1. Upper middle class2. Middle class3. Working class4. Lower classCharacteristics of stratification1) It’s a characteristic of societies, not of individuals2) All modern societies demonstrate some form of stratificationi. Hunter and gatherers demonstrate differentiation3) Systems of stratification are extremely variablei. South Africa – apartheid (whites controlled everything)ii. Saudi Arabia – stratified by genderiii. Northern Ireland – stratified by religioniv. Former soviet union: the “classless society”4) Stratification systems are persistent: they are very hard to change5) stratification systems are always supported by an ideology that justifies the stratificationClosed stratification system – caste system; can’t move up or downOpen stratification system – class system; can move up or down but its hard2 types of poverty: absolute and relativeabsolute poverty: the person can’t meet the basic needs that are required to survive – food, clothing, shelterdoesn’t necessarily evoke social problemsrelative poverty – is much more of a concern to sociologists; inequalitysociologists argue that most societal problems that seem to come from poverty actually are problems of inequalityabsolute poverty does not necessarily provoke societal problemsrelative poverty is a big problem for capitalist societiesJohn Kenneth Galbraith: The affluent societyThe model for our society Is growthIn order for things to grow, we have to create wantsWe create wants, through advertising and through “planned obsolescence” – the idea that stuff is supposed to wear out after a certain amount of timeWe have so much, but we want moreAffluenza by Oliver JamesA modern incarnation of Galbraith’s thesisInvestigates high levels of emotional distress in wealthy countriesExpected to find people happy, leading easier livesFound high levels of emotional distress – anxiety, depression, eating disordersAffluenza virus is “a rich man’s worry”The original affluent society (anthropologist Marshall Sahlins)HUNTER and gatherersLead a subsistence lifestyleThey own their time and do with it what they willThey meet hard times with calm and resolveDo not recognize the concept of povertyPoverty can only be recognized in a society where there is affluenceHunter and gatherers share, so there is no affluenceIronically, we have massive poverty in an area of massive affluenceDon’t think of them as poor, think of them as freeSex, gender and sexuality Unit 9Sex: refers to our biological characteristics that distinguish us as male and femaleGender: refers to the learned behaviors and attitudes that distinguish us as masculine and feminineSexual orientation: refers to the primary way that we experience sexual attraction and pleasure (same; different; both; or none)Dimensions of sexual orientationAttractionBehaviorIdentityThe ideal is for all three of these to match-up, but that is not always the caseSocietal norms and values serve to channel behavior into socially accepted expressionsLearningSex, gender, and sexuality are learnedGender is acquired through gender socializationSexuality is acquired through learningThe “learning” that we do in regards to sexuality isn’t necessarily directThrough subtle processes, we come to regard some stimuli as pleasurable and others as notGender role socializationThe process by which we learn the behavioral expectations for males and females in our societyGender role socialization plays a role in the development of sexualityElements of the female roleLook good. Make oneself attractive, desirableBe considerate to others and give lots of thought to other’s feelingsDon’t be too loud. Try to be self-contained and “lady-like”Don’t desire a man sexually, but dream about him romanticallyBe desirable but unattainableBe submissive and dependentThe cult of female beautyLooking good is a generalized role expectation, throughout a woman’s lifeWomen who don’t pay attention to physical appearance are stigmatized and outcastBeing a member involves a lot of effort and expensePreoccupation with appearance is considered both normal and healthy in womenDespite great variation in body type, women feel compelled to mold themselves into the popular moldMay equate what they look like with who they areBeauty is not only expected, it is heavily rewardedElements of the male roleDistancing from the female roleStigma attached to males who stray near to female roles as “sissy” or “gay”Avoidance of expressing emotions – crying and vulnerabilityBecome economically competent and self-confidentBeing adventurous and assertive, perhaps even daringMore likely to receive physical punishmentUndergo painful puberty rites (such as circumcision)Allowed more explorations of their environments (are “freer”)Socialized into cultures of sports and competition: prepare to become “warriors”Discouraged from cross-gendered behaviorsHow gender stratification hurts menMen are viewed as economic objectsAre supposed to be money-making machinesAttractiveness in men is related to earning potentialPersonality characteristics that lead to success in earning are not ones that foster love and family relationshipsMenLife expectancy in the US is 75.3Suicide rates are 4X that of womenSuicide rates for elderly men are 7X that of elderly womenExperience a loss of quality of life upon loss of economic roleHave higher rates of disease and illnessIssues in the workplaceStigma in female professionsMay be viewed as a pedophile if interested in childrenViewed as “incompetent” to do “women’s work”Do the “heavy work” when employed in female-concentrated occupationsIssues in the familyMen are less likely to be awarded custody of childrenMen are less likely to be allowed time from work to take care of the kidsCourts tend to enforce failure to pay child support order more stringently than visitation ordersMen as victims of domestic violenceAttitudes about men hitting women have changed dramaticallyWoman can hit men with near impunityThe language of domestic abuse says a man can’t be abusesSocial ridicule faces men who admit to being the victim of domestic violenceMen and criminal justiceMen are much more likely to go to prison than women, even for the same crimesMen are much more likely to be executed. Only 11 women have been executed since