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SOCIAL CLASS IN THE U.S.
This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:
any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;
preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;
any rental, lease, or lending of the program.
What is social class?Sociologists have no clear-cut
definition of social class.The two schools of thought are:MarxWeber
Marx and Social ClassConflict theorists (based Marx’s
teaching) see 2 social classes: those who have means of production & those who do not.
Ex-The doctor who makes $500,000 a year has access to resources that the $13,0000 a year burger flipper does not.
Weber and Social ClassWeber defined social class as “a
large group of people who rank close to one another in wealth, power, and prestige” (Henslin, 2007:260).
There are distinctions between wealth and income:
Wealth is the value of a person’s property minus its debts. Examples of this would be land, buildings, back accounts etc.
Income is the flow of money. Examples of this would include paycheck, disability benefits, stocks & bonds etc.
Who owns the Wealth and Income in the U.S.?
Distribution of the property of Americans
How Income is distributed among Americans
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME OF AMERICANS
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same…Income really hasn’t changed since
the end of the Great Depression. The richest 20% receive all most
half of the nation’s income (46.2%), while the poorest 20% receive only 4.2% of the nation’s income.
Despite government anti-poverty efforts, the poorest 20% of the population receive the same % of income they did in 1935.
THE HIGHEST PAID CEO’S
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It’s not just about $, it’s about lifestyle…
Having access to money gives you access to resources (i.e. healthcare, food, shelter etc.).
For people on the lower end of the scale not having access to resources could cause them to make some tough decisions (i.e. do I buy food or pay the heating bill this month?).
PowerPower is defined as: “the ability
to carry out your will, even over the resistance of others”(Henslin, 2007:263).
Some sociologists believe that the a small group of people make the big decisions for U.S. society.
Mills called this the “power elite” (Henslin,2007:263).
Prestige Prestige is respect or regard.
Occupations and Prestige
They Pay More
They Require More
Education
They Entail More Abstract
Thought
They Offer Greater
Autonomy
Sociological Models of Social Class
Updating Marx
Capitalists-large business owners.
Petty Bourgeoisie-small business owners.
Managers-who sell their own labor but
have authority over others.
Workers-people who simply sell their labor.
Sociological Models of Social Class
Updating WeberCapitalist Class-this top 1% is worth more then the bottom 90%of the country.The Upper Middle Class-most shaped by education. Often works for the capitalist class.The Lower Middle Class-work lower-level management, but are often able to climb the social ladder.The Working Class-have a high school education. Consider “suits” as having no real skills.The Working Poor-work minimal jobs, often high school dropouts.The Underclass-here poverty persists across generations.
Consequences of Social Class
Physical Health
Mental Health
Consequences of Social Class
Education
Religion
Politics
Consequences of Social Class
Crime and the Judicial System
Social Class and the Changing
Economy
Social Mobility
Women and Social Mobility
Studies of Boys
More Recent Studies with Girls
Interpreting Statistics on Social Mobility
Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From Tree
The Pain of Social Mobility
Poverty
Who are Poor?
Drawing the Poverty Line
Geography
POVERTY BY STATE
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
POVERTY-RACE ETHNICITY
POVERTY-EDUCATION
Poverty
Who are Poor?
Feminization of PovertyOld AgeChildren of Poverty
Myths About the Poor
Most are Lazy
Poor are Trapped and Few Escape
Most are Latino and African-
American
Myths About the Poor
Most are Single Mothers and Kids
Most Live in Inner City
Most are on Welfare
Dynamics of Poverty
Culture of Poverty. Most Poverty is Short-lived.
Dynamics of Poverty
Number of Poor Relatively Stable.
Why are People Poor?
Social Structure Features of Society Characteristics of Individuals
Poverty
Welfare Reform ◦ Welfare Restructured in 1996
Deferred Gratification
Poverty
Where is Horatio Alger?Pull yourself up by your boot straps. Anyone can get ahead.
Social Functions of a MythHaving this myth places blame on the squarely on the person, so there is no need to change society.
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