Chapter 7: Social Inequality P1

What is social stratification?

is a system in which categories of people are ranked in a hierarchy.

How are people ranked in the United States?

People are ranked according to:

• Income

• Occupation

• Education

• Social class

What is social class?

is a person's position in society based on income, education, and occupation.

Why is the Titanic important to sociologists?

The Titanic demonstrates how social class affects life chances. First-class passengers were more likely to survive because their cabins were located near the lifeboats, while third-class passengers were below deck.

What sociological concept does the Titanic illustrate?

It illustrates social inequality and how social class influences opportunities and survival.

Why does social class affect a person’s health?

Social class affects:

• Diet

• Type of job

• Neighborhood

• Access to health care

• Education

Why does diet vary by social class?

People with lower incomes often buy cheaper, less healthy foods, while wealthier people can afford healthier options.

How are jobs affected by social class?

Jobs that are “working class” can be physically
demanding or dangerous.

Examples of Job Social Inequality.

• Servers have a greater likelihood of having bladder
  infections, foot and back pain.

• Garbage collectors inhale dangerous toxins when they
  work.

• Plant workers are exposed to harmful conditions.

How is where you live proof of social inequality?

• Wealthier neighborhoods are safe and provide healthy environments for children (safe parks, playgrounds).

• The needs of residents in lower income neighborhoods are most likely to be ignored.

Example of social inequality where you live in favor of wealthy.

Summary:
About 15 years ago, residents of the wealthy Houston neighborhood of West University Place opposed the construction of a high-rise in their community. They successfully organized, gained significant media attention, and brought their concerns to the attention of city officials. Although a judge ultimately ruled in favor of the developers, the project had still not been built as of 2024.

Example of social inequality where you live for poor.

Meanwhile in a low-income neighborhood
in Houston (Acres Homes), residents
complained that companies were
disposing of garbage and tires onto empty
lots. It wasn’t until dead bodies were being
dumped for the residents to get any
attention. I have posted a link that
discusses this

Why does where you live affect your health?

Wealthier neighborhoods usually have safer environments, parks, and better resources, while poorer neighborhoods often receive less attention and investment.

Why is access to health care unequal?

People without insurance or with limited coverage may delay medical treatment because of costs, causing health problems to worsen

How does education associate with social inequality.?

Research indicates that those who have degrees have a much higher earning potential than those who do not have degrees.

According to Max Weber, there is more to social class than just money. What concept did he belived?

Socioeconomic status (SES)

What is socioeconomic status (SES)?

is defined as a composite social ranking based on various dimensions of social inequality.

According to Max Weber, what are the three dimensions of SES?

Class

Status

Party (Power)

According to Max Weber, what is class?

focuses on the economic aspect it does not mean you are respected

According to Max Weber, what is status?

Status is the respect or prestige a person or occupation receives from society.

According to Max Weber, what is party (power)?

the ability to exert influence over others.

Why did Weber believe income alone does not determine social class?

Someone may earn a great deal of money but not be respected, or have high prestige while earning less money.

What factors do sociologists consider when determining social class?

• Income

• Wealth

• Occupational prestige

• Gender

• Education

What is income?

refers to how much someone earns, salary and wages.

What is wealth?

refers to how much someone is worth (ex. Savings,
property, retirement accounts).

What is occupational prestige?

the respect that people get for doing the job that they do

What is gender?

”pink collar jobs” are dominated by women. They
may be low status and low paying.

How do social scientists study social
class?

1. Subjective method

2. Reputational method

3. Objective method

What is the subjective method?

This method involves asking the subject directly with which social class do they identify with and see themselves as belonging to that group

What is one weakness of the subjective method?

People may really not know what social class they are a part of and respond with “middle class”.

What is the reputational method?

Asking those who are familiar with the social class of the subject about their class affiliation

What factors would these individuals consider in
using the reputational method?

You would look at what kind of job they have, where
they live, what kind of material possessions they
have—car, clothes, etc.

What is one weakness of the reputational method?

People may judge others based on possessions even if they are deeply in debt.

What is the objective method?

This involves taking into consideration quantifiable
dimensions such as income, wealth, occupation,
level of education

Why is the objective method considered the most scientific?

It uses measurable data rather than opinions.

What are the six social classes in the United States? Gilbert and Kahl model.

• Capitalist (Upper Class)

• Upper Middle Class

• Lower Middle Class

• Working Class

• Working Poor

• Underclass

What is new money?

These are people who have
earned money during their lifetimes. Ex.
Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates

What is conspicuous consumption?

Showing off wealth through expensive possessions. Usually seen in new money.

What is old money?

These are families that have had wealth in their families for generations. We know them by family name, ex. Kennedy, Rockefellers.

What type of money is most likely to engage in noblesse oblige?

Old money

What is noblesse oblige?

The belief that wealthy families have a responsibility to help society through charitable giving.

Name an example of noblesse oblige.

In Houston, many buildings are named after the Cullen family. This is evident at the Texas Medical Center and the University of Houston.

The middle class is divided into two
categories. Name the two categories.

The upper-middle and the lower-middle.

What is the difference in jobs between upper-middle class and lower-middle class?

The upper-middle have more flexibility in their work schedule and receive more benefits

What is the working poor?

People who work full-time (often multiple jobs) but still live below the poverty line.

What is the poverty line?

The official government measure used to determine who is considered poor in the United States.

What does the poverty line stipulates?

one third of annual income is spent on food, one third on rent, and one third on miscellaneous items (medical, transportation, etc).

Who created the poverty line?

Mollie Orshansky in 1964

The poverty line is adjusted in how long?

is adjusted every year to take into account cost of living changes and family size and location.

What is the underclass?

Individuals who remain in poverty for generations, including many elderly and disabled people.