Sociology 101 Study Notes on Stratification, Race, and Gender

Materials

• Text: Ch. 9, 11, 12
• Saez, "Striking it Richer"
• Keister & SouthGate, "The Working Poor and the Underclass"
• Bonilla-Silva, "Colorblind Racism"
• Machionis, Sexual Violence & Feminism (321-333)
• Film: 13th

Social Stratification & Social Class

Four Principles of Stratification

• Trait of Society: Social stratification is a feature of society, not just individual actions.
• Generational Carryover: It persists across generations.
• Universality but Variability: Present in all societies but takes different forms and levels.
• Involves Beliefs: Associated not only with inequality but also with societal beliefs about those inequalities.

Ascription vs. Achievement

• Ascription (Closed System): Social position based on inherent traits or circumstances beyond control.
• Achievement (Open System): Position attained through merit and personal effort.

Types of Stratification Systems

• Caste System: Based on ascription; social mobility is limited.
• Class System: Combines ascription and achievement; includes social mobility and status consistency.

Social Mobility

• Definition: Change in position within the social hierarchy.
• Status Consistency: Having a high status in one area but low in another (e.g., upper class in education but lower in income).

Ideology and Inequality

Ideology

• Cultural beliefs that justify social arrangements, including inequality.

Income vs. Wealth

• Income: Money received periodically (e.g., wages, returns on investment).
• Wealth: Accumulated assets like real estate, stocks, and bonds.

Inequality Trends

• Income inequality peaked in the 1920s, declined during the Great Depression, and has risen sharply since the 1980s due to factors like cuts to New Deal policies.

Class System (Capitalism)

• Upper Class:
• Old Money: Long-established wealth associated with elite institutions.
• Lower Upper: New wealth often from corporate management.
• Middle Class: Most identify as middle class, involves education and white-collar jobs.
• Working Class: Typically blue-collar jobs; limited wealth accumulation.
• Poverty: Divided into relative poverty (deprivation in relation to others) and absolute poverty (life-threatening deprivation).

Poverty Trends

• Increase in suburban poverty; children under 18 are most affected.
• Single-parent families are at higher risk of poverty.
• "The feminization of poverty" highlights higher poverty levels among women.
• The "working poor": those employed yet falling below the poverty line.

Social Mobility

• The potential for social and economic status changes.

The Difference Class Makes

Health

• Health outcomes vary significantly with social class; US healthcare ranks low internationally.

Politics

• Major influence of class on political views; rich tend to lean conservative economically and liberal socially, while the poor often display the opposite trend.

Theories of Stratification

• Davis-Moore Thesis: Argues that stratification has essential functions for society.
• Marxist Perspective: Views class conflict as stemming from relationships to production and capitalism's inherent inequalities.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on individual perceptions of social standing and behaviors reflecting inequality (e.g., conspicuous consumption).

Race/Ethnicity

Definitions

• Race: Socially constructed categories based on perceived biological traits.
• Ethnicity: Cultural heritage shared among a group.

Intergroup Relationships

• Range from tolerance to intolerance in interactions.

Minority Groups

• Defined by physical or cultural differences; expected demographic shifts toward minority-majority by 2050.

Racism & Prejudice

• Racism: The belief in the superiority or inferiority of races.
• Prejudice: Attitudes and beliefs about a particular group.

Privilege

• Understanding unearned advantages linked to race, gender, etc.

Theories of Prejudice

• Explore the sources and impacts of prejudicial beliefs.

Colorblind Racism

• The notion that racial considerations should be ignored can perpetuate existing inequalities.

Structural Racism

• Institutional practices (e.g., redlining) that disadvantage specific racial groups.

Gender

Definitions

• Sex: Biological traits; debated regarding definitions.
• Gender: Socially constructed roles and identities for men and women.

Social Organization

• Patriarchy: Male-dominated social systems.
• Matriarchy: Rare; female-dominated social systems.

Gender Roles

• Influence of socialization on perceptions of gender.

Gender Stratification

• Inequalities in workforce, income, education, and political participation due to gender.
• Glass Ceiling: Barriers that prevent women from rising beyond a certain level in the workforce.

Gender Violence

• Includes domestic violence and sexual harassment.

Feminism

• Evolution of the women's movement with differences between radical and liberal feminism.

Theories of Gender

• Discuss frameworks for understanding gender interactions and inequalities.