Ch. 8- Social Stratification

Bell Work…

Watch Dr. Seuss’s Sneetches.

As we watch the video, notice the different groups that are present throughout.

What was it like to be a star-bellied Sneetch?

How was it different to be a plain-bellied Sneetch?

Social Stratification- ranking of people or groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources

Social Class- segment of society whose members have similar economic circumstances, norms, and status

Your Task…

Read about the 3 Dimensions of Social Stratificationon pages 206-209. Complete the chart provided by answering the questions and writing in the key terms.

Dimensions of Social StratificationThe Economic Dimension The Power Dimension The Prestige Dimension

Bourgeoisie

Proletariat

Wealth

Power Prestige

How is the distribution of

economic resources related

to social class?

How can power be exercised

without wealth?

How is prestige awarded?

How would you describe the

distribution of wealth in the

U.S.?

What role does knowledge

play in power?

What factors besides wealth

are related to prestige?

Theories of Stratification1. Functionalists view stratification as an ordered and stable

society; stratification ensures that the most qualified people fill the most important positions, perform tasks competently, and are rewarded for their efforts

2. Conflict Theorists say that stratification occurs as a result of the struggle for scarce resources; inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others (force rather than agreement)

3. Symbolic Interactionists teach us to understand the existing stratification structure; American children are taught that a person’s social class is the result of talent and effort; social class has an impact on an individual’s self-esteem

Your Assignment…

Describe evidence of social stratification you see in the world around you.

Identify examples of the three dimensions of social stratification.

This should be at least 3 paragraphs long.

Bell Work…

Copy and answer the following question into your notebook:

Which theoretical perspective is most likely to be supported by the upper classes? Why?

Class Consciousness- identification with the goals and interests of a social class

Your Task…

As we read through the various social classes in the text, pages 213-215, write key characteristics that define each social class on the chart provided.

Social Classes in the United StatesSocial Class Characteristics

Upper Class

Middle Class

Working Class

Working Poor

Underclass

Poverty in the U.S.1. Absolute Poverty- absence of enough money to secure life’s

necessities

2. Relative Poverty- based on the economic disparity between those at the bottom of a society and the rest of the society

3. U.S. gov’t states poverty is equivalent to $22,314 for a family of four

4. Feminization of Poverty- trend in US society in which women/children make up an increasing proportion of the poor

5. Poverty, health care, and welfare reform are continually being reevaluated in regards to their relationship

Your Task…In partners, discuss the following scenario, then answer the questions that follow:

There are those in American who live at the poverty level, or very close to it. They may have a roof over their heads and food to eat, but they might be eating too much pasta and their car might need servicing and new brakes. They might be facing eviction and their television might be broken, and they don’t have enough money to take family members to the doctor or dentist.

Does this scenario describe absolute poverty or relative poverty?

Why did you decide on that answer?

Bell Work…

Copy and answer the following question into your notebook:

What are the social classes in the United States, and what are their characteristics?

Your Task…

Complete the EdPuzzle Video Quiz: Social Stratification.

Bell Work…

Copy and answer the following question into your notebook:

How do functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism explain stratification?

Social Mobility- movement of individuals/groups between social classes

Horizontal Mobility- change in occupation within the same social class

Vertical Mobility- change upward or downward in occupational status/social class

Intergenerational Mobility- change in status or class from one generation to the next

Caste and Open-Class Systems

1. Vertical mobility varies from society to society

2. Caste System- stratification structure that does not allow for social mobility

3. Statuses are assigned at birth and individuals must limit relationships with people of a different class

4. Open-Class System- social class is based on merit and individual effort; movement is allowed between classes

5. Discrimination/lack of resources can deny opportunities for social mobility in the U.S.

Your Task…

Read the section, Upward and Downward Mobility, found on page 225 in the text.

Summarize the section in your notebook under a heading with the same name.

Your Assignment…Research the ‘rags to riches’ story of one of the following individuals:

J.K. Rowling

Abraham Lincoln

Henry Ford

Chris Gardner

Sylvester Stallone

Walt Disney

Then, create a Publisher Poster based on your findings. Be sure to include a picture of the person, a brief summary of their background/childhood, struggles they faced early on, and ultimately, their successes.

Bell Work…

Copy and answer the following question into your notebook:

How is a caste system different from an open-class system?

Global Stratification- unequal distribution of wealth, power, and resources among the countries of the world

Standard of Living- necessities, comforts, and luxuries enjoyed by an individual/group

Industrialization- movement from an economy based on agriculture to one based on manufacturing

Globalization- development of an increasingly integrated global economy

Your Task…

Complete the following chart as you read Lesson 4: Global Stratification (pg. 226-230).

Global StratificationIncome Example Brief Description

High-Income

Countries

Middle-

Income

Countries

Low-Income

Countries

Your Assignment…

Complete the Case Study: Young Adults from Middle Income Families at Higher Risk for Student Loan Debt Than Their Poorer Peers.