1. What Is Stratification?

Stratification refers to systematic inequalities
between groups of people that arise as
intended or unintended consequences of social
processes and relationships.
1

2. In a stratified
society, groups at
the top of the
hierarchy have
greater access to
goods and services
in a society than
members of groups
at the bottom.

3. Paradox:
Inequality is the result of
overabundance.

4. Stratification

5. Social Stratification

A relatively fixed, hierarchical arrangement
in society by which groups have different
access to resources, power, and perceived
social worth.

6. Where do you fit on the
social ladder?

7. Social Class in the U.S.

Upper class

Upper-middle class

Middle class

Lower-middle class

Lower class
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8. Social Stratification Example

In a sports organization:
◦ Owners control the resources of
the teams.
◦ Players earn high salaries, yet do
not control the team resources.
◦ Sponsors provide the resources.
◦ Fans provide revenue.

9. Diverse Sources of
Stratification
Race, class, and gender are overlapping
systems of stratification.
 Class position is manifested differently,
depending on race and gender.
 Example: A Black middle-class man who is
stopped by police when driving through a
White middle-class neighborhood may feel
his racial status is his most outstanding
characteristic, but his race, class, and
gender always influence his life chances.


10. Forms of Stratification
estate
system is a
The
politically based
system of
stratification
characterized by
limited social
mobility.
caste
system is
The
a system of
stratification based
on hereditary
notions of religious
and theological
purity and generally
offers no prospects
for social mobility.
class
system is
The
an economically
based system of
stratification with
somewhat loose
social mobility
based on roles in the
production process
rather than individual
characteristics.
10

11. Functional and Conflict Theories of
Stratification
Inequality
Motivates people to fill
Functionalism
positions that are needed
for the survival of the whole.
Results when those with the
Conflict Theory
most resources exploit
others.

12. Functional and Conflict Theories of
Stratification
Class Structure
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Differentiation is essential
for a cohesive society.
Different groups struggle
over resources and
compete for social
advantage.

13. Functional and Conflict Theories of
Stratification
Life chances
Those who work hardest
Functionalism and succeed have greater
life chances.
The most vital jobs in
Conflict Theory society are usually the least
rewarded.

14. Social Stratification
 Why
Is There Inequality?

The Class Structure of the United
States

Diverse Sources of Stratification

Poverty

15. How Is America Stratified Today?
The income gap
between high-income
and low-income
individuals has
increased dramatically
over the last 30 years.
 One out of two people
are living in or heading
to poverty in the United
States

15

16. Inequality in the United
States
 Nearly
1 in 6 children in the U.S.
live poverty:
◦ 30% of African American
children
◦ 29% of Hispanic children
◦ 12% of Asian American children
◦ 9.4% of White non-Hispanic
children

17. Inequality in the United
States
15% of the U.S. population has no
health insurance.
 The average cost of a day’s stay in
the hospital is $1, 217—two weeks’
pay for the average worker


18. Inequality in the United
States
1% of the U.S. population controls 38% of
the total wealth in the nation.
 The bottom 20% owe more than they own.
 CEOs of major companies earn an average
of $13.1 million dollars per year.
 Workers earning the minimum wage make
$10,712 per year, if they work 40 hours a
week for 52 weeks per year and hold only
one job.


19. The Laddered Model of Stratification

20. The Double Diamond Model of
Stratification

21. Median Income by Race and Household
Status

22. Wealth and Income

Wealth is the monetary value of
everything one owns, minus debt.
◦ It is calculated by adding all financial
assets and subtracting all debts.

Income is the amount of money
brought into a household from various
sources during a given period.

23. Distribution of Wealth and
Income
The wealthiest 1% own 38% of all net
worth; the bottom 80% control only
17%.
 The top 1% also owns almost half of
all stock; the bottom 80% own only 4%
of total stock holdings.


24. The Tax Burden: For Whom?

25. Defining Social Mobility
Social mobility is a person’s movement
over time from one class to another.
 Social mobility can be up or down, although
the American dream emphasizes upward
movement.
 Mobility can also be either
intergenerational, occurring between
generations; or intragenerational, occurring
within a generation.


26. Table 7.1 Relative Social Prestige of Selected U.S. Occupations
You May Ask Yourself, 2nd Edition
Copyright © 2011 W.W. Norton & Company

27. Social Mobility
Mobility is a collective effort that involves
kin and sometimes community.
 Upward Mobility
◦ People who are upwardly mobile are often
expected to distance themselves from
their origins.
 Downward Mobility
◦ As income distribution is becoming more
skewed toward the top, many in the
middle class are experiencing mobility
downward.


28. Who are the Poor?
In 2002, there were 34.6 million poor
people in the U.S.
 The poor:

◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
31% of Native Americans
24% of African Americans
22% of Hispanics
10% of Asians and Pacific Islanders
10% of Whites
U.S. Poverty Rate Climbed To 15.1 Percent in
2011, Total Number Hit All-Time Record Total
Population - 312,000,000 – 47,000,00 in poverty

29. How do we compare to the
world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpKbO6O3O3M

30. The lines at the local food bank.

31. Who are the Homeless?

A 2001 survey of 27 cities found that
the homeless population is:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
50% African American
35% White
12% Hispanic
2% Native American
1% Asian

32. Who are the Homeless?
Battered women
 Elderly
 Disabled
 Mentally Ill (20-25%)
 Veterans
 AIDS victims


33. What do you think are the
Reasons for Homelessness?
 Unemployment
and/or eviction
 Reductions in federal support for
affordable housing
 Eroding work opportunities
 Inadequate housing for lowincome people

34. What do you think are the
Reasons for Homelessness
 Reductions
in public assistance
 Inadequate health care
 Domestic violence
 Addiction
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35. Explanations of Poverty
Culture of poverty - poverty is a way
of life that is transferred from
generation to generation.
 Structural causes of poverty poverty is caused by economic and
social transformations taking place in
the U.S.


36. Arguments Against
“The Culture of Poverty”
Fewer than 5% of the poor are
chronically poor.
 41% of the able-bodied poor work.
 The pattern of “welfare cycling” is
promoted by wages too low to support
a family.
