Lauren Hedrick October 3rd 2013 Social Stratification Social Stratification ranking of individuals and groups into hierarchical layers o Closed System vs Open System Closed A system of social stratification in which it is very difficult to move from one social class to another Based on ascribed status Open A system of social stratification in which it is very easy to move from one social class to another Based on achieved status o Status represents a position within a society o Ascribed vs Achieved Status Ascribed The status that is assigned to us Achieved The status that we get by choice or by competition o An example of social stratification o Caste system in India Brahmins Priests and Academics Kshatriyas Warriors and Kings Vaishyas Business Community Kshudras Servants Subordinates to all other groups The Dalit The untouchable do lower work subordinate to all Social Differentiation Process of increased division of labor and specialization Principles of Social Stratification o It is a societal characteristic Example The first class passengers on the Titanic had a higher survival rate than others because they were in a better position to get to the life boats first o Persists over generations Your children will usually live the same life you did o Is universal Found everywhere and in all societies The magnitude of inequality is different in all societies The likelihood of mobility is different in all societies There is less stratification in a primitive society because it is usually based on only age and gender but in a modern society social stratification is based on many other factors o Involves wealth and ideology How does social stratification affect your life o Life chances education and income o Life styles consumption and work orientation o Institutional participation marriage and religion o Attitudes party identification Lauren Hedrick October 3rd 2013 o Health and wellbeing longevity and happiness Sociological Perspectives on Social Stratification o Functionalism Davis and Moore 1945 Society must instill in certain individuals the desire to fill carious positions and carry our responsibilities Positions vary in their functional importance to the society o Example Dentists are prestigious in society because dental hygiene is important and not everyone can become a dentist It is also not the most pleasant type of work so there must be extra incentives given to them to encourage more people to become dentists Highest statues held by most qualified and most necessary Produces meritocracy based on ability The dysfunctions of stratification If there is too much inequality in a society it will hurt the overall society because it goes against working together and religious beliefs Public preference economic growth social cohesion o Conflict Perspective and population health Inequality is a reflection of unequal distribution of power and resources the source of central conflicts Stratification exists because it benefits individuals and groups who have power to dominate and exploit others Marx s View Capitalists extract worker s surplus value Erick O Wright A famous sociologist who is a firm believer in Marx s views and he defines social stratification into four main groups of people Capitalists managers petite bourgeoisie De unionization and inequality between capitalists and workers o Unionization gives workers more power and they share a greater value of the profit o De unionization gives workers less power and they share less of the overall profit o Symbolic Interaction Symbols You can look at the clothes someone wears the car they drive and you are able to tell about what social class they are a part of Lauren Hedrick October 3rd 2013 Summary of Social Stratification o Inequality as a ladder Looking glass self If you act in a certain way and others view you as being a part of this certain class then you are more likely to view yourself as also being a part of this class Role taking for those in close proximity People are very likely to take on the roles of the people and role models around them o Example Upper class kids have doctors and lawyers as their role models and are more likely to ascribe to be that one day Lower class kids have lesser role models to look up to such as workers and drug dealers and they are more likely to follow the roles of the people around them Height What is the separation of inequality between Breadth How many people are in each level of People can climb up and down the ladder to change Hierarchical Height and breadth social classes stratification Upward and downward social class Equality of opportunity if they so choose There are chances for everyone to change social classes Inequality in America o The most unequal of all societies in the Western world 2010 Top 5 of families received 21 3 of income Top 20 of households own more than 83 of wealth White households wealthier than African American and Women workers make about 75 of what their male The last time that the inequality was this bas was right before Hispanic households counterparts make the Great Depression After 2007 the Great Recession was the result just like what happened in the 1930 s In 1980 the inequality was the lowest the top1 of income earners held only 10 of the wealth In 1928 and 2007 the inequality was the highest the top 1 of income earners held 23 5 of the wealth