Social Inequality & Social Stratification

Week 5: Online

Social Inequality v. Stratification

• Inequality = Unequal rewards

• Stratification = Groups created by or groupings that create unequal rewards

Social Inequality

• Unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards

• How are rewards distributed?• Caste system: (closed system, movement

impossible)• Scarce resources and social networks are

distributed on the basis of ascribed statuses

• Class system: (open system, movement possible?)

• Rewards are determined on the basis of achieved statuses

Social Class

• A social class is a group of people who share a similar economic position in society based on their wealth and income.

• Therefore, social class is essentially an economic stratification system.

Social Class (Max Weber)

• What determines social class?• Wealth: income, property, assets • Power: The ability of people or groups to achieve

their goals despite opposition by others (Ex: political parties)

• Prestige: The respect person or status position is shown by others (Ex: doctors)

Social Mobility

• Social mobility refers to the movement within the social structure, from one social position to another (changing social statuses).

• Types of mobility:• Horizontal• Vertical

Social Mobility

• Horizontal mobility: A change in occupational position or role without a change of position in the social hierarchy

• Vertical mobility: • Movement from one status to another• Movement within the social hierarchy• A change within the lifetime of an individual to a

higher or lower status than the person had to begin with

Social Stratification

• R. W. Murray defines social stratification as:• “… arrangement of any social group or society

into hierarchy of positions that are unequal with regard to power, property, social evaluation, and psychic gratification.”

• The division of society into classes, categories, or ranks.

• Division in society, leads to social inequality.

Social Stratification

• Groups created by or groupings that create unequal rewards.

• Most common divisions:• Class• Race• Ethnicity• Gender• Sexuality

• We will spend the next few weeks discussing these stratification systems

“Invisible Inequality: Social Class and Childrearing in Black

Families and White Families.” (Lareau)

• Ethnography of middle class and working class white and black families with 10-year-olds

• Class differences in the home impacting children’s life chances (parenting styles and child’s future opportunity)

• Class matters, in terms of social class• Middle class families:

• Concerted cultivation• Working class families

• Accomplishment of natural growth

• Who receives more advantages in life?