Sociology Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Social Inequality in Canadian Society
Overview
Learning Objectives (LO):
LO1: Understand social stratification as sanctioned social inequality.
LO2-3: Measure inequality using wealth.
LO4: Measure inequality using poverty indicators.
LO5-6: Identify who is at risk of poverty.
LO7: Explore reasons for class stratification in society.
Social Stratification (LO1)
Social stratification refers to a system that creates inequality among people in a hierarchical manner.
Characteristics:
Inequality is socially sanctioned, meaning society accepts and maintains these inequalities.
Groups are arranged hierarchically based on various factors.
Systems of Stratification:
Closed Systems: Rigid boundaries prevent movement between classes.
Open Systems: Allow for movement between classes based on achievement.
Social Inequality (LO1)
Featured Quote: "Justice is what love looks like in public."
This concept encompasses the unequal distribution of life chances in society.
Canada exhibits significant unequal outcomes across different demographics.
Social Class (LO1)
Two Perspectives on Class:
Struggle membership classifier.
Measuring Social Class (LO1)
Social Class is determined by a combination of:
Income
Education
Occupation
This combined measure is also referred to as socioeconomic status.
Social Mobility (LO1)
Types of Social Mobility:
Vertical Mobility: Movement up or down the social hierarchy.
Horizontal Mobility: Movement within the same social level.
Intragenerational Mobility: Changes in social status over a person's life.
Intergenerational Mobility: Changes in social status from one generation to the next.
Factors Affecting Social Mobility (LO1)
Influencing factors include:
Family Background: Ascribed traits influence opportunities.
Structural Factors: Economic conditions and job availability.
Unforeseen Events: Unexpected life circumstances impacting status.
Measuring Inequality Using Wealth (LO2)
Components of financial wealth:
Work Income: Salary or wages.
Real Estate: Value of property.
Savings and Investments: Includes stocks and bonds.
Median Incomes: Analyzing household income levels.
Deciles: Grouping based on income distribution.
Income-based Class Structure (LO3)
Classes categorized as:
Higher Class (30%): Deciles 8-10, incomes $100,000+, accounts for 58% of total income.
Middle Class (40%): Deciles 4-7, shrinking middle class, average incomes between $44,400 and $82,400, accounts for 33% of income.
Lower Class (30%): Deciles 1-3, incomes below $39,300, represents 9% of total income, includes working poor.
Regional Income Distribution (LO3)
Income and inequality vary significantly across regions.
Notable Statistics:
Minimum hourly wage rates as of January 1, 2023, show disparities.
Net Worth and Class Structure (LO3)
Key measures of class structure:
Net Worth: Includes assets such as home ownership and pensions.
Measuring Inequality Using Poverty (LO4)
Canada's Official Poverty Line: Defined as the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO).
Who is at Risk of Poverty? (LO5)
Demographics predominantly featured among the impoverished:
Singles, Lone-Parent Families, Indigenous Peoples, Immigrants, and Persons with Disabilities.
Consequences of Social Inequality (LO5)
Impact of Social Inequality:
Education disparities, poorer health outcomes, and increased hardships.
Poverty Reduction Strategies (LO6)
Social Safety Net: A collection of strategies to support individuals facing poverty.
Supplemental Financial Supports: Targeted programs aimed at aiding the needy.
Major inquiry: How to fund these initiatives?
Reasons for Social Classes in Society (LO7)
Functionalist Perspective: Stratifcation as a beneficial aspect; introduced by the Davis-Moore Thesis which advocates the idea of meritocracy.
Conflict Perspective: Capitalism as a driver of stratification; includes views from
Marx (emphasizing private property and class alienation).
Weber (advocating the spirit of capitalism).
Elite Theory & Porter's Perspective: Focus on corporate and economic elite controlling power.