Sociology of Social Class, Gender, Race, and Marriage

How do sociologists view stratification?

As a system that organizes and constrains life chances, not merely as a ladder of individual effort.

What was the survival rate of 1st-class passengers on the Titanic compared to 3rd-class passengers?

60% of 1st-class passengers survived compared to only 25% of 3rd-class passengers.

What correlation exists between wealth and life expectancy?

The richest Americans live nearly 15 years longer than the poorest at age 40.

What does the 'Cultural Mismatch' Hypothesis suggest?

It suggests that American universities favor 'Independent' models, disadvantaging working-class students who are socialized in 'Interdependent' models.

What is the impact of emphasizing independent norms in universities on working-class students?

It often leads to lower GPAs for these students, but reframing to include interdependent values can narrow the performance gap.

What is the 'Moral' Anxiety of the Rich according to Rachel Sherman?

Wealthy individuals often hide their consumption to avoid being seen as 'obscene' and justify their wealth through perceptions of hard work.

How is gender conceptualized according to West & Zimmerman?

Gender is viewed as a performance created through social interaction, not a fixed internal trait.

What does the theory of Masculine Overcompensation suggest?

Men may support aggressive policies and express homophobic attitudes to reassert their masculinity when it feels threatened.

What is the wage gap between women and men?

Women earn approximately 84 cents for every dollar earned by men, influenced by occupational segregation.

What is the 'Paradox of Meritocracy'?

In companies promoting fairness, managers may show bias favoring men for raises and promotions, believing their judgments are objective.

How is race categorized according to Penner & Saperstein?

Race is a fluid category, with individuals being classified differently based on social outcomes over time.

What does the 'Wealth Myth' suggest about Black boys compared to white boys?

Black boys from wealthy families are more likely to fall into lower income quintiles than to remain wealthy, unlike white boys.

What is symbolic racism?

The belief that racial disparities result from a lack of effort by minorities rather than systemic barriers.

What happens to white Americans' scores on symbolic racism scales during economic decline?

Their scores increase, leading to support for cutting welfare and social safety nets.

How has the concept of marriage shifted from historical to modern times?

Marriage shifted from being a strategic alliance for resources to prioritizing romantic love, though choice is still structured by homogamy.

What impact has the decline of stable manufacturing jobs had on marriage rates?

As men's economic prospects decline, marriage rates drop, reflecting structural responses to economic instability.

What do sociologists suggest about high divorce rates?

They may indicate that romantic love is alive, as marriage is no longer necessary for economic survival.

What is a 'Covenant Marriage'?

A 'no-exit' marriage contract offered in some states to lower divorce rates, though only 1% of couples choose them.