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Study Guide: Social Problems, Stratification, and Inequality

Social Problems

Definition of Social Problems

• Social problems are conditions that harm society and require collective action to address.

• They often involve both objective (measurable) and subjective (perceived) components.

Private Troubles vs. Public Issues

• Private Troubles: Personal hardships affecting individuals.

• Public Issues: Problems stemming from larger social structures and institutions.

Wright Mills and The Sociological Imagination

• C. Wright Mills introduced the sociological imagination, which connects individual experiences to broader social forces.

• Encourages viewing personal issues within a larger social and historical context.

The Objective and Subjective Components of Social Problems

• Objective: Empirical evidence (e.g., crime rates, unemployment statistics).

• Subjective: Public perception and moral judgment about an issue.

The Natural History of a Social Problem

1. Emergence & Claims Making: Groups highlight an issue and demand recognition.

2. Legitimacy: The issue gains wider acceptance and is discussed in media and policy.

3. Renewed Claims Making: Advocacy continues as solutions are debated.

4. Development of Alternative Strategies: Long-term approaches are implemented to address the issue.

Sociological Perspectives on Social Problems

• Functionalist Perspective: Social problems arise due to system dysfunctions but can also contribute to social change.

• Conflict Theory: Social problems result from power struggles between dominant and disadvantaged groups.

• Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on how individuals and groups define and react to social problems.

Social Inequality’s Role in Social Problems

• Systemic inequalities exacerbate social problems, limiting access to resources and opportunities.

Social Stratification and Poverty

Definition of Social Stratification

• The hierarchical arrangement of individuals based on wealth, power, and social status.

Extent of Poverty (Measuring Poverty)

• Poverty is measured by income thresholds known as the poverty line.

Increasing Inequality and the Feminization of Poverty

• Poverty Line: A government-set income threshold to define poverty.

• Feminization of Poverty: Women, especially single mothers, are disproportionately affected by poverty.

Key Factors About Poverty in the U.S.A.

• Economic shifts, wage stagnation, lack of affordable housing, and educational barriers contribute to poverty.

Who Are the Poor?

• Poverty is not evenly distributed and varies by race, gender, age, region, and family structure.

Social Patterns of Poverty

• Race & Ethnicity: Higher poverty rates among Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations.

• Gender: Women, particularly single mothers, experience higher poverty rates.

• Age: Children and elderly individuals are at higher risk.

• Region: Southern and rural areas have higher poverty rates.

• Family Structure: Single-parent households are more vulnerable to poverty.

7 Myths About Poverty in the U.S.A.

• Available on Canvas (review these misconceptions about poverty).

Sociological Theories on Poverty

• Conflict Theory: Poverty results from systemic inequalities and exploitation.

• Functionalism: Some inequality is necessary, but too much disrupts social stability.

• Symbolic Interactionism: Examines how society labels and stigmatizes the poor.

Social Structural Factors of Poverty

• Government policies, economic trends, family patterns, and access to education shape poverty levels.

Why Does Poverty Persist?

• Individual Explanation: Blames personal choices and behaviors.

• Structural Explanation: Emphasizes economic and policy-driven inequalities.

• Cultural Explanation: Suggests that values and norms of poverty-stricken communities perpetuate poverty.

Income Inequality and Racial Disparities

Income Inequality by Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

• Wage gaps persist among racial groups and between men and women.

Dimensions of Racial Disparities in the Labor Market

• Unequal access to jobs, wage discrimination, and employment segregation.

Sociological Explanations for Income and Labor Market Inequality

• Individual: Skills and effort determine success.

• Cultural: Social norms shape job opportunities and career choices.

• Structural: Discriminatory policies and economic systems maintain disparities.

Land Ownership After Slavery

• Freed Black Americans were largely denied land and economic opportunities post-slavery, contributing to the racial wealth gap.

The Creation of Residential Segregation

• Redlining, discriminatory housing policies, and unequal lending practices segregated communities.

How the Racial Wealth Gap Was Created

• Historical discrimination in land ownership, housing policies, employment, and education led to wealth disparities.

Explaining the Wealth Gap in the Twenty-First Century

• Ongoing racial discrimination, unequal pay, and disparities in intergenerational wealth transfer continue to widen the gap.

Article: 'The Racial Wealth Gap: Why Policy Matters'

• Explores how targeted policies could address wealth disparities.

Reducing Racial and Ethnic Inequality

• Policy solutions include fair housing laws, reparations, wealth redistribution, affirmative action, and improved access to quality education and jobs.

Conclusion

• Social problems, poverty, and income inequality are deeply intertwined.

• Structural factors, historical legacies, and sociological perspectives help explain and address these issues.

• Reducing inequality requires systemic changes in policy, education, and economic opportunities.