Download Explanations for Stratification - Lecture Slides | SOC 134 and more Study notes Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! 1 © 2008 David Schweingruber Explanations for Stratification April 4, 2008 http://www.iastate.edu/~soc.134 © 2000 David Schweingruber© 20 8 David Schweingru Basic stratification terms Stratification: ranking system for groups of people that perpetuates unequal rewards and life chances in society Socioeconomic status (SES): prestige, honor, respect, and lifestyle associated with different positions or groups in society (p. 330) Social mobility: movement of people or groups from one class to another (p. 330) • Social mobility may be intragenerational or intergenerational What differs from one stratification system to another? • What determines a personʼs status (e.g., ascribed vs. achieved characteristics)? • How much social mobility is allowed? © 2000 David Schweingruber© 20 8 David Schweingru Four stratification systems Slavery: economic forms of inequality in which some people are legally the property of others (p. 327) • Slavery systems vary in how slavery status is determined and whether mobility is allowed Caste system: stratification system based on heredity, with little movement allowed across strata (p. 329) Estate system (feudal system): stratification system in which high-status groups own land and have power based on birth (p. 329) • Little social mobility is allowed Social class: group of people who share a similar economic position in society, based on their wealth and income (p. 330) • There are no legal limits on social mobility, but actual mobility is limited © 2000 David Schweingruber© 20 8 David Schweingru Measuring class Sociologists typically measure socioeconomic status (SES) by combining income, occupation and education (not wealth) Sociologist Dalton Conley has recently proposed that wealth must be added to measures of SES • Of blacks and whites with similar SES, whites tend to have much more wealth © 2000 David Schweingruber© 20 8 David Schweingru Income by education, 2002 $36,308 $18,826 $27,280 $29,725 $34,177 $51,194 $60,445 $112,845 $89,734 $0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 M ea n in co m e A ll N o di pl om a H ig h sc ho ol So m e co lle ge A ss oc ia te 's B ac he lo r' s M as te r' s P ro fe ss io na l D oc to ra te Source: 2004-05 Statistical Abstracts of the United States, table 215. © 2000 David Schweingruber© 20 8 David Schweingru Selected occupational prestige scores 86 Physician 75 Lawyer 74 College professor 69 Clergy member 66 Registered nurse 66 Accountant 64 Elementary teacher 61 Computer programmer 60 Editor/reporter 60 Police officer 58 Actor 53 Firefighter 50 Computer operator 47 Machinist 46 Secretary 43 Bank teller 42 Welder 40 Farmer 36 Childcare worker 36 Hairdresser 30 Retail apparel salesperson 30 Truck driver 29 Cashier 28 Waiter 23 Farm laborer 22 Janitor
