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.