CHAPTER 9

Section 1: Systems of Stratification

Section 2: The American Class System

Section 3: Poverty

Social Stratification

SECTION 1

Question:What are the major theories of social stratification?

Systems of Stratification

SECTION 1

Systems of Stratification

Theory Cause of Stratification

Criticisms of Theory

Functionalist

Conflict:

Marxists

American Theorists

Stratification is needed to help society function smoothly by ensuring that specific roles are performed. Higher rewards guarantee that important roles that require more skill are filled.

Society does not provide equal access to education and jobs.

Rewards do not always reflect the social values of roles.

It fails to recognize that unequal rewards are based in part on differences in talents, skills, and desires among people.

The bourgeoisie exploit and control the proletariat to maintain wealth and power.

Groups compete for scarce resources. Those with power use it to maintain their position.

SECTION 2

Question:What are characteristics of the American class system?

The American Class System

SECTION 2

The American Class SystemAMERICAN CLASS SYSTEM

Upper Class: 1 percent; prestigious schools; heirs, investors, large

business owners and top executives

Working Class: 30 percent; high school;

factory and clerical workers, lower level salespeople, some

craftworkers

Lower Middle Class: 30 percent; high school or college; lower-level

managers, skilled craftworkers, supervisors

Upper Middle Class:

14 percent; college or university;

business executives and professionals

Working Poor: 22 percent; some high school; laborers,

service workers—gardeners, house cleaners, etc.

Underclass: 3 percent; some high school; undesirable

low-paying jobs, unem-ployed, or on welfare for some time

SECTION 3

Poverty

Question:What groups of Americans are affected by poverty?

SECTION 3

Poverty

Characteristics of Poor Americans

Sex: Women are the largest

segment (57 percent).

Female-headed households account for about half

of all poor families.

Age: Children are the largest group

(37 percent).

Three times more African American and Hispanic children are poor

than white children.

Race and Ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanics are far more likely

than white Americans to be poor.

Chapter Wrap-Up

1. How do caste systems and class systems differ?2. How do the functionalist and conflict

explanations of stratification differ?3. What are the six social classes recognized by

most American sociologists?4. What is the poverty level, and how is it

calculated?5. How can poverty affect the life chances of

Americans?6. How have government programs to assist poor

Americans changed in recent years?

1. How do caste systems and class systems differ?2. How do the functionalist and conflict

explanations of stratification differ?3. What are the six social classes recognized by

most American sociologists?4. What is the poverty level, and how is it

calculated?5. How can poverty affect the life chances of

Americans?6. How have government programs to assist poor

Americans changed in recent years?

CHAPTER 9