Social Stratification and Poverty Terms

These flashcards cover key terms related to social stratification and poverty, providing definitions to help understand and study for upcoming exams.

Absolute poverty

Not being able to afford the basic things you need to survive in life, e.g., food, clothing.

Achieved status

Social positions earned through personal talent, merit, and effort, not fixed at birth.

Ascribed status

Social positions/status fixed at birth due to class, and do not change over time.

Bourgeoisie

The ruling class who own the means of production and exploit the working class.

Culture of dependency

The welfare system encourages people to remain on benefits rather than support themselves through work.

Glass ceiling

An invisible barrier in employment that prevents certain groups, such as women or ethnic minorities, from gaining promotions.

Life chances

The opportunity/chance of achieving positive or negative outcomes (e.g., healthy/ill, rich/poor) throughout life.

Power

The ability to get what one wants, despite opposition.

Pressure group

A group formed to influence government policy on a particular issue.

Relative poverty

Not being able to afford to meet the general standard of living compared to most others in society.

Social exclusion

The inability of some groups in society (e.g., the elderly, working class) to play a full part in society or access its full benefits.

Social inequality

The uneven distribution of resources (e.g., money, power) and opportunities.

Social mobility

The ability to move up the social ladder.

Social stratification

How society is structured in a hierarchy of layers based on factors such as age, gender.

Status

The social standing or prestige given to someone by others in society.

Underclass

A group in society with different attitudes and values, experiencing long-term unemployment and reliance on benefits.

Wealth

The ownership of assets (e.g., property, land, jewelry) and savings, shares, etc.

Welfare dependency

When individuals are reliant on the government for income for a prolonged period.