Week 7: Social Stratification

social stratification

the existence of structured inequalities between groups in society in terms of their access to material or symbolic rewards

intersectionality

a sociological perspective that holds that our multiple group memberships affect our lives in ways that are distinct from the effects of any single group membership

structured inequalities

social inequalities that result from patterns in the social structure

slavery

a form of social stratification in which some people are owned as property by others

caste system

a social system in which one’s social status is determined at birth and set for life

endogamy

the forbidding of marriage or sexual relations outside one’s social group

class

although it is one of the most frequently used concepts in sociology, there is no clear agreement about how class should be defined

life chances

a term introduced by Max Weber to signify the opportunities a person has for achieving economic prosperity

income

payment, usually deived from wages, salaries, or investments

wealth

money and material possessions held by an individual or group

social capital

the social knowledge and connections that enable people to accomplish their goals and extend their influence

cultural capital

noneconomic or cultural resources that parents pass down to their children, such as language or knowledge

upper class

a social class broadly composed of the more affluent members of society, especially those who have inherited wealth, own businesses, or hold large numbers of stocksm

middle class

a social class composed broadly of those working in white-collar and highly skilled blue-collar jobs

working class

a social class broadly composed of people working in blue-or pink-collar, or manual occupations

lower class

a social class composed of those who work part-time or not at all and whose household income is typically low

social mobility

upward or downward movement of individuals or groups between different class positions

intragenerational mobility

movement up or down a social stratification heirarchy within the course of of a personal career

intergenerational mobility

movement up or down a social stratification heirarchy from one generation to another

downward mobility

social mobility in which individuals’ wealth, income, or status is lower than what they or their parents once had

short-range downward mobility

social mobility that occurs when an individual moves from one position in the class structure to another of nearly equal status