MulticulturalismMulticulturalismSocial Class

Cultural Capital

Social CapitalAssignments…must handed in

Ephram…can’t open your files

A word on notes

You should not try to write down everything that is on a slide…this will simply make your hand and brain hurtJot down NOTES…key ideas…examples…main points…I will post slides one week prior to the final exam

http://www2.widener.edu/~spe0001

Multiculturalism?

Anyone know what this term refers to?

MulticulturalismTerm becomes widespread in the 1980s with recognition that most courses had certain unacknowledged biases

Focus on White European men

Few, if any, women, people of color or working class people were dealt with in class

Abe Lincoln but no Harriet TubmanGeorge Washington but no Susan B. AnthonyPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt but no John L. Lewis

Multicultural courses emerge that begin to incorporate the previously “invisible” subjects into the curriculum

This course will spend time exploring previously “invisible” issues of class, race, ethnicity, immigration and gender…

Class Society

One of the “invisible” topics that often goes unexamined is the topic of “class”

So…when a sociologist says America is a class society, what does she mean?

Class Society

ClassA grouping of individuals with similar economic positions within a society

Class…

THE tale of Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, the 36-year-old former tennis pro who is demanding $320,000 a month in child support from her former husband, the 84-year-old billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, has caused a stir among hard-working Americans. Mrs. Kerkorian, who was married to Mr. Kerkorian for one month in 1998, filed court papers on Jan. 7 seeking support for their daughter, Kira, 3. Among other things, she wants $14,000 a month for parties and play dates; $5,900 for eating out; $4,300 for eating in; $2,500 for movies and other outings; $7,000 for charitable donations; $1,400 for laundry and cleaning; $1,000 for toys, books and videos; $436 for the care of Kira's bunny rabbit and other pets; and $144,000 for travel on private jets. Sure, that sounds like a lot of Taco Bell for a 3-year-old, but Mrs. Kerkorian will need every penny. -NYT, 2002

Class…Katie and Todd Clarke of Parkersburg know the feeling. The paycheck Katie earns on $10.90 an hour as a secretary isn't enough to cover all of the family's expenses. Food takes priority; money left over goes to whichever bill collectors threaten to cut off services first.

"There's no way to pay it all," said Katie Clarke.

The Clarkes and Bergers are like thousands of Iowans who work hard without getting ahead. Many of these families will cover their basic monthly expenses and have little, often nothing, left over. Most are white, between 19 and 64 years old. Many have a high level of education, and they're often single women. http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2005/04/04/news/top_story/bd7b5d0be02b283386256fd9004ea9b2.txt

Different Classes…5 of 10 wealthiest people on planet are Waltons

Fortunes range in the $20 to $40 billion range• H. Scott, President and CEO WALMART received $17,165,783 in

total compensation in 2001

In 2001 most Walmart “associates” made < $8.50…$17,680 a year full time

• Poverty for Family of 4 (2001) $18,104

• Wal-Mart wages for all of California is 20 to 30 percent below the average wage paid by retailers with 1,000 or more workers. (NYTSeptember 2, 2004 Wal-Mart and Productivity By JEFF MADRICK )

Different Ways to Measure ClassSocio-economic status

Income & wealth • Measure by counting the $

Occupational prestige• Autoworker, Chemical Engineer, Janitor

Measure by asking people to rank

Educational level• Measure by counting the years

Combine the measures above and get a scale that might look something like this

Different Researchers get different scales…but you get the idea

Upper Class

Upper Middle Class

Middle Class

Lower Middle Class

Lower Class

Class Society AssignmentSo classes differ in terms of money, education and occupations…

We’ll study money more on Thursday

Differ on other dimensions too…that’s what “The Mighty Wedge of Class” was about…Let’s explore…

Video clip from the TV show “Rescue Me”Tommy Gavin (blonde guy) is a firefighter…his wife is a home-maker

This clip shows a visit to their daughter’s school…daughter is embarrassed by her parent’s class background and has told lies

• A meeting with daughter’s roommate and a dinner

• Just to warn you…Some “salty” language…but was on regular tv…

Please identify at least two differences between the “Gavins” and the other dinner guests that you think relates to their different social classes.

Class Society AssignmentPlease identify at least two differences between the “Gavins” and the other dinner guests that you think relates to their different social classes.

Residency… “the city”Second Homes…

Dress…jeans & last years dressDrinkingEating with wrong fork…Sense of Humor…Jews into ConnecticutLifestyle…liposuction“Looking down their noses…”

Cultural Capital

Cultural capital- general cultural background, knowledge and disposition

Linguistic and cultural competence which help ensure success in school and the workplace

Linguistic competence: proper English, absence of swearing, gesticulating, “like”, proper pronunciation

Vocabulary exposure…Anyone remember what I mentioned the other day?

Cultural CapitalCultural capital- general cultural background, knowledge and disposition

Vocabulary exposure varies by class

• Child in professional home exposed to 2,000 words an hour vs. child in a working class home who his exposed to 1,300 words vs. child in a welfare mother’s home who is exposed to 600

• By age three Professional kids vocabulary 50% larger

• Will impact academic achievement throughout schooling

• What looks like natural talent or effort (good vocabulary) is actually something kids inherit

Cultural Capitalgeneral cultural background, knowledge & disposition

Linguistic and cultural competence which help ensure success in school and the workplace

• Linguistic competence: proper English, absence of swearing, gesticulating, “like”, proper pronunciation

• Cultural competence:knowledge of literature, art, music, architecture, foreign cultures, or current events

Hip Hop or Vivaldi; Football or Polo; Pizza or Pate; Palermo or Wildwood

• Disposition: style of dress, hair, mannerisms, chewing gum, confidence Corn rows or straight hair; Low rider pants or Brooks Polo Shirts

More than just money…

F. Scott Fitzgerald to Ernest Hemingway: “You know, Ernest, the rich are different from you and me.”

It’s about more than money…

In “The Mighty Wedge of Class,” the author suggests that his working class background left him unprepared for the new world of college. Explain some of the reasons that he felt that way.

“The Mighty Wedge of Class”“”…there was no measure of the things I didn’t know…my working class background left me unprepared for this new world. It wasn’t just poise or spending money that I lacked. Everything from my colloquial speech to my primitive social skills to my wardrobe drew a discreet line between me and my new peer group” (Erkel 1994: 102).

Family at home that had low educational expectations

Internalized low expectations and feelings of shame and helplessness

Poorly spoken, lacking confidence, reluctant to ask for help

Stuck between two worlds… doesn’t quite fit in anywhereFriends at home who resented himPeople at college who were different and had no recognition of importance of class

Author was lacked Cultural Capital that would help in college…

Class, College and Cultural Capital Most of you are in this program because of your class background

Act 101: Economically disadvantaged by having an annual family income equal to or less than 200% of the family income level in the US

Not news to you that your families have less money that most other families in America…

Want you also to be aware of how you come to college with different types of Cultural Capital

These differences will present you with challenges that differ from many other college students

At times will feel like guy in the article…note that you are not alone in feeling this way…many members of your social class experience this

College will be opportunity to build new types of cultural capital…take advantage of it

Ok…so now lets look at money and Class

Breaking the population into quintiles is a common method of looking at class

Top Quintile (20%) of Income Earners

Second Quintile of Income Earners

Middle Quintile of Income Earners

4th Quintile of Income Earners

Bottom Quintile of Income Earners

Income & Wealth

Wealth-assets, particularly those that are income producing.

For most people their home…for many nothing

But for some people a second home in the Hamptons or Virgin Islands, an apartment in London, a Van Gogh, race horses, shopping malls, hotels, ships, sports teams, bonds, stocks, cash reserves, etc.

Wealth and Income

Income-money, wages, and payments that are periodically received from investments

For most people a paycheck

Income & Wealth

Which do most Americans depend on to make ends meet?

Income & WealthWhich do most Americans depend on to make ends meet?

Income80% of us are production and non-supervisory workers who depend primarily on a paycheck to make ends meet…we have no real wealth

• Factory workers, cops, construction workers, teachers, cashiers, nurses, secretaries, cooks, janitors, computer technicians, social workers, engineers etc.

Income and Wealth

So how are income and wealth distributed among a society’s population…

How do we divide the pie?

Class Society

2. In the “Great Divergence” Paul Krugman discusses recent trends in inequality. How have ordinary American’s fared in the recent economy? Who has benefitted the most from recent economic growth? What has the trend for CEO pay been? Be sure to incorporate at least one direct quote from the text into your answer.

MulticulturalismInequality

Distribution of IncomeDistribution of Wealth

Social Mobility

AssignmentMost did well…Some did not

• Some did not answer clearly, or did not complete all parts of a question• Out of 2, those who got 1.5 or better did ok…others need to step it up…this is not High

School…this is collegeNew One now…last one returned at end of class

A word on notesThere are MANY charts and graphs today… take notes on the general trends you see You should not try to write down everything that is on a slide…this will simply make your hand and brain hurtJot down NOTES…key ideas…examples…main points…I will post slides one week prior to the final exam

http://www2.widener.edu/~spe0001

Income and Wealth

So how are income and wealth distributed among a society’s population…

How do we divide the pie?

Class Society

What does the data show about the distribution of income in America?

Video ClipVideo addresses who gets what and why in the US

“Why is the middle class shrinking?”

From Now, a weekly show on PBS hosted by Bill Moyers

Based on research in th chapter you were assigned this week…

Krugman

1. Income Gains…Who has benefitted the most from recent economic growth?

Increasing Inequality in America…The “Super Rich” have gained the most…Last 30 years have witnessed an “astonishing concentration of income and wealth in just a few hands.” (Krugman, p.2)

Top 1% of families have seen after tax income rise 157%…compared to 10% for middle income families

Most income gains since the 1970s were to the top 1%… those people making more than $230,000

And 60% of those gains went to the top .1%, those who make more than $790,000

And almost half of those gains went to the top .01%, those with income of at least $3.6 million

Growing Inequality“…Top 10%, top 1% and fractions of the top 1 percent enjoyed their greatest share of income since 1928 and 1929” (Johnston 2007:1)

Note the Blue Boxes

Income Distribution Over Time…note the “Great Compression”

The hope of some…the fear of others…We’ll see…

Krugman

2. Relationship of top gains to other’s position? What does it mean for the rest of society if the rich take more of the money?

Upward Redistribution of Income

What does the data show about the distribution of income in America?

Winners and Losers

Simple Math tells us… “if the rich get more, that leaves less for everyone else.” (Krugman p. 9)

The richest 13,000 families have almost as much income as the 20 million poorest…

CEO Pay

What has the trend for CEO pay in the US been?

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Huge and Growing Pay GapBetween U.S. CEOs and Workers

• In 1980, CEO pay equaled 42 times the average blue collar worker’s pay.

• By 2000, CEO pay had grown to 531 times the average blue collar worker’s pay -- by far the widest gap in the world.

Sources: Business Week; New York Times; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Business Week, Fall 2004

CEO Pay Compared….

It hasn’t always been like this…

It’s not like this elsewhere…

This is a big issue right now…

Now and Krugman

3. Home prices vs. income…

New Home Prices Up, Income Flat

New Home Prices Up 120%

Income for Middle up 10%

Shifting Pension Risks

What happened to the teacher’s retirement nest egg?

“The Great Risk Shift”

Bottom line: American Exceptionalism… “No other advanced country has seen the kind of surge in inequality that has taken place here” (Krugman p.137)

Ratio of Top 10% to Bottom 10%

So what does a typical person earn…

When studying income, median is better than mean (average)

What do we mean by median income?

When studying income, median is better than mean…

What do we mean by median income?

The midpoint of a distribution

Why do we look at Median Income instead of Mean….”Bill Gates walks into a bar…”

Imagine 5 people…$25,000; $30,000; $35,000; $50,000, $10,000,000

Mean vs. Median???

When studying income, median is better than mean…

Why do we look at Median Income instead of Avg….Imagine 5 people…

$25,000; $30,000; $35,000; $50,000, $10,000,000• Average. vs. Median???

Note the differenceAverage = $2,028,000…doesn’t really reflect realityMedian=$35,000…better representation of reality

So what was the Median Household Income, 2006

Median income over time…

$48,201…up a bit over time…but much of this is thought to because households are selling more labor…whose labor in particular?

So what do people earn…Some typical incomes?

Cop $41,950Middle School Teacher $43,580Accountant $50,000Lodging Manager $36,000Social Worker $31,800Corrections Officer $33,700Registered Nurse $48,240Civil Engineer $61,000 Annual Earnings, 2002

It will take most of us 20 years to make a million dollars…

Percentage of Households by Income, 2005

Income % of Population

Under $10,000 8.3 72% of American households earn less than $75,000 a year

$10-14,999 6.4

$15-$24,999 12.4

$25-$34,999 11.4

$35-$49,999 14.9

$50-$74,999 18.4

$75-$99,000 11.1

More than $100,000 17.2

Census Bureau: Marger, p.63

Income & Wealth

Wealth-assets, particularly those that are income producing.

For most people their home…

But for some people a second home in the Hamptons or Virgin Islands, an apartment in London, a Van Gogh, race horses, shopping malls, hotels, ships, sports teams, bonds, stocks, cash reserves, etc.

This American life…

Wealth…

10 Volunteers Up Front…

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Fewer People Own More Wealth

Source: Edward N. Wolff, “Recent Trends in Wealth Ownership”

2001: richest 10% of the U.S. population owned 70% of all wealth.

1976: richest 10% of the U.S. population owned 50% of all wealth.

Try this with a pizza tonight…

US has highest rate of inequality in Wealth Distribution (Gini Index: closer to 100 the > inequality)

Japan 24.9

Sweden 25

Germany 30

UK 36

US 40

Interesting to note changes over time…Again, note the New Deal

Year Pct. Of Wealth Held by Top 1%

1922 31.6

1929 36.3

1939 30.6

1949 20.8

1958 23.8

1969 20.1

1989 38.3

1995 38.5

Concentration of Wealth

BOTTOM LINE:

Top 10% own vast majority of everything…

The rest of America splits what left

Thus the widespread discussion of the new inequality

What of Social mobility?Social Mobility

The movement between different class positions within a society

• Occupations, income brackets, social classes

• How likely to go from bottom to top…

• Is the “rags to riches” story a common story

Top Quintile (20%) of Income Earners

Second Quintile (20%) of Income Earners

Middle Quintile (20%) of Income Earners

4th Quintile (20%) of Income Earners

Bottom Quintile (20%)of Income Earners

Social MobilityO.K…immense inequality…but if people in the bottom 90% don’t like it, they can always work harder and join the top 10%…

Of the poorest 20 percent of Americans in 1988, what percent were still in the poorest 20 percent in 1998?

Family Mobility

Social Class is sticky…The Next Generation

Class + Race…

Comparative Mobility…US LagsUS and Europe…

By international standards, the United States has an unusually low level of intergenerational mobility: our parents’ income is highly predictive of our incomes as adults.

Intergenerational mobility in the United States is lower than in France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Finland, Norway and Denmark. Among high-income countries for which comparable estimates are available, only the United Kingdom had a lower rate of mobility than the United States.

“…Americans are clearly mistaken if they believe they live in the world’s most mobile society.” Meritocracy in America

Class Matters…Studies of Social Mobility pose a serious challenge to the idea that is primarly talent and hard work, not inherited social advantage that separates the classes…

Hard for some to accept…but mountains of research demonstrate

What would help explain why most people don’t move very far from the class in which they where born?

Put another way…What keeps the low income people and their kids low income?What keeps middle class people and their kids middle class?What keep the rich people and their kids rich?

What to do?

What if anything, should our society do about the difficulties faced by middle class families and others? Is it just life, or does it not have to be this way?