Social Class

1. Social Class Today: What is Social Class? Sociological Perspectives on Poverty Socialism and Capitalism “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” -Bernice Johnson Reagon, singer

2. Test # 3 19. The article So Sexy So Soon discusses a 7 year old girl who: Asks her mother if she can get breast implants Thinks she is too fat Has a mother who thinks it is fine for her daughter to have a boyfriend Has a mother who allows her to wear make-up, high heels, and mini-skirts 20. Your text explains how gender roles vary. One example given is of: Boys in western Africa carrying mirrors, fixing their hair, and putting on eyeliner. Girls in the United States who play football in high school. Polyandry (the practice of one woman having multiple husbands) in ancient Tibet Sexual harassment by female bosses of male employees

3. What is social class? Ability to get others to do what you want Level of respect an individual or their position demands Property and income minus debt 1864-1920 Max Weber: people who rank closely to one another in terms of:

4. Status consistent vs. Status inconsistent Rank equally on all = Status Consistent Status inconsistent =not equal on all 3 measures of class

5. What is social class? Lawyer who works for a firm and clients Independent cab driver who owns his taxi 1818 –1883 *Bourgeois= adjective Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and “have-nots” based on the means of production 2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat

6. C. Wright Mills Power Elite Key people in three major institutions of modern society, government, military, and economy. 1916-1962

7. Power Elite Small group of people who control a high amount of wealth and access to decision-making of global consequence

8. 1.“If you put your mind to it you can get from the bottom to the top.” Do you agree? Why or why not? 2. What obstacles in U.S. History existed for African Americans to obtain wealth? 3. Fair Housing Act of 1935? 4. Impact on children? 5. How does parental wealth help?

9. How has U.S. policy influenced social stratification?View: The Way We Live. Ups and Downs of Social Stratification 9:35-17:30

10. The American Dream-Rags to Riches “America is the land of opportunities, anyone who works hard enough can achieve anything and accomplish any goal.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

11. The American Dream-Rags to Riches Horatio Alger myth: belief that due to limitless possibilities anyone can get ahead if he or she tries hard enough

12. What is social stratification? Institutionalized pattern of inequality Some people get more access to resources than others Reflecting inequalities in life chances

13. Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective • Poverty persists because it performs some positive functions

14. Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view: • Provides society with people willing to do less desirable jobs • Provides jobs • Provides a market for lesser goods

15. Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view • Talents are rewarded • All positions in a society (doctors - janitors) must be filled • Poverty discourages people from neglecting their social duties

16. Functionalist Perspective • Criticized because not all careers are rewarded for their value in society

17. Causes of PovertyInteractionist Perspective- 1st view People get used to living in poverty Have difficulty changing the situation Criticized because it seems to “blame the victim”

18. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 2nd view

19. Conflict Perspective Karl Marx: ruling class controls the economic system for its own benefit Exploits and oppresses the masses

21. Conflict Perspective Occupy Wall Street Protests http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgr3DiqWYCI

22. Extra Credit OpportunityVideo Review View Capitalism A Love Story Michael Moore If you agree with Conflict Theory: Describe 3 points the film makes that support the theory If you disagree with Conflict Theory: Describe 3 counter-arguments you have to points made in the film

23. a. Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation • b. Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities due to the label • c. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it motivates people to seek higher rewards • d. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have money and power Which explanation of poverty applies best to today’s economic crisis? Why?

24. Discuss your answers in groups of 2-4

25. Socialism and Capitalism • Socialism – spread the wealth/resources evenly • Economic system - means of producing goods and services are collectively owned Story of Gloria

26. Socialism and Capitalism • Capitalism – competition for wealth • Economic system- private individuals or groups invest $ to produce goods and services to sell for a profit

27. Extra Credit OpportunityVideo Review View Mammoth

28. Coming up: Next Class: Health-Read article on website College Students’ Health

29. Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly 1. bad economy

30. Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly 2. bad schools

31. Causes of PovertySymbolic Interactionist Perspective Culture of poverty: viewing problematic behaviors (selling drugs, dropping out of school, not having a job) as normal

32. Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly 3. family breakdown

33. Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly 4. problems with government assistance

34. Poverty In The United States Poverty in the U.S. Almost 18 million households had trouble putting food on the table (2011) Food insecure: lacking access to sufficient food for all family members