Families and Social Class

Chapter 4

Discussion Outline: Social Class and the Family• I. Social Stratification• What is Social Class?• Theories of Social Class• Social Class and Parenting Styles

• II. The American Class Structure

• III. Social Mobility and Class Persistence

Social Stratification=Social HierarchyThe

American Class system

Dimensions of class Stratification:-?-?-?-?-?-?

What do those towards the top of the class structure generally have that those towards the bottom do not?

I. Social Stratification

Jobs…Careers…Occupations

• Division of Labor• Process of determining who does what work and for what rewards…

• How do consensus theorists and conflict theorists view the division of labor much differently?

Theories of Social Class

Consensus (Functionalist) Theory

• Inequality seves an essential function for society…

Conflict Theory

• Inequality is the result of economic exploitation, in which the “haves” dominate over the “have nots”

• Unequal rewards reproduce an unequal system…

Theories of Social Class

Max Weber and Life Chances• The practical opportunity to achieve desired material conditions and personal

experiences.

Parents level of income/occupation

Child’s life chances/opportunities to succeed

I.e.: Educational opportunity/inequality

Changing Culture: Educational Inequality (High School Dropout and College Completion Rates)

Changing Culture: Educational Inequality (Differences in Earnings by Education)

• It’s not what you know, but who you know…

• Is this true?

Theories of Social Class

• Pierre Bourdieu and Social Capital• The access to resources one has by virtue of relationships and connections

within a social network

• Family and Family friends: Examples• http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-county-fire-family-20141026-story.html

Family Networks and Social Capital

Social Class and Parenting Practices

Annette Lareau and Class Parenting

• Concerted Cultivation

• Natural Growth

Discussion Outline: Social Class and the Family• I. Social Stratification• What is Social Class?• Theories of Social Class• Social Class and Parenting Styles

• II. The American Class Structure

• III. Social Mobility and Class Persistence