CHAPTER 9

Social Stratification

Section 1:

Systems of Stratification Section 2: The American Class System Section 3: Poverty

SECTION 1

Systems of Stratification

Question:

What are the major theories of social stratification?

SECTION 1

Systems of Stratification Theory Functionalist Cause of Stratification Stratification is needed to help society function smoothly by ensuring that specific roles are performed. Higher rewards guarantee that important roles that require more skill are filled.

Conflict:

 

Marxists American Theorists Criticisms of Theory



Society does not provide equal access to education and jobs.



Rewards do not always reflect the social values of roles.



The bourgeoisie exploit and control the proletariat to maintain wealth and power.



Groups compete for scarce resources. Those with power use it to maintain their position.

It fails to recognize that unequal rewards are based in part on differences in talents, skills, and desires among people.

SECTION 2

The American Class System

Question:

What are characteristics of the American class system?

SECTION 2

The American Class System AMERICAN CLASS SYSTEM Upper Class: 1 percent; prestigious schools; heirs, investors, large business owners and top executives Upper Middle Class: 14 percent; college or university; business executives and professionals Lower Middle Class: 30 percent; high school or college; lower-level managers, skilled craftworkers, supervisors Working Class: 30 percent; high school; factory and clerical workers, lower level salespeople, some craftworkers Working Poor: 22 percent; some high school; laborers, service workers — gardeners, house cleaners, etc.

Underclass: 3 percent; some high school; undesirable low-paying jobs, unem-ployed, or on welfare for some time

SECTION 3

Poverty

Question:

What groups of Americans are affected by poverty?

SECTION 3

Poverty Sex:



Women are the largest segment (57 percent).



Female-headed households account for about half of all poor families.

Age:



Children are the largest group (37 percent).



Three times more African American and Hispanic children are poor than white children.

Characteristics of Poor Americans Race and Ethnicity:



African Americans and Hispanics are far more likely than white Americans to be poor.

CHAPTER 9

Chapter Wrap-Up 1. How do caste systems and class systems differ?

2. How do the functionalist and conflict explanations of stratification differ?

3. What are the six social classes recognized by most American sociologists?

4. What is the poverty level, and how is it calculated?

5. How can poverty affect the life chances of Americans?

6. How have government programs to assist poor Americans changed in recent years?