Social Stratification in the United States
- Read the introduction to social stratification, paying attention to Robert and Joan's story. Make guesses or connections between the example provided and why you think this example might be an introduction to stratification.
- Take notes on the bold terms as well as on the three systems of stratification. What stratification system is found in the U.S.? How might this affect one's life chances?
- Take note of the different classes found in the United States and the types of mobility. Other than homes or luxury items, what are some things money can buy that are not readily available to people living in the lower class? How might being in the lower class affect one's chances at upward social mobility?
- Read the two sections found in this chapter. In addition, you should spend a few minutes comparing the two photos in Figure 1, jotting down some thoughts on the photos and the accompanying text.
- Take note of the three different theoretical approaches to studying social stratification. How do you think Marx would view the Davis-Moore thesis?
Key Terms
caste system
a system in which people are born into a social standing that they will retain their entire lives
class
a group who shares a common social status based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation
class system
social standing based on social factors and individual accomplishments
class traits
the typical behaviors, customs, and norms that define each class (also called class markers)
conspicuous consumption
the act of buying and using products to make a statement about social standing
Davis-Moore thesis
a thesis that argues some social stratification is a social necessity
downward mobility
a lowering of one's social class
endogamous marriages
unions of people within the same social category
exogamous unions
unions of spouses from different social categories
global stratification
a comparison of the wealth, economic stability, status, and power of countries as a whole
income
the money a person earns from work or investments
intergenerational mobility
a difference in social class between different generations of a family
intragenerational mobility
a difference in social class between different members of the same generation
meritocracy
an ideal system in which personal effort - or merit - determines social standing
primogeniture
a law stating that all property passes to the firstborn son
social mobility
the ability to change positions within a social stratification system
social stratification
a socioeconomic system that divides society's members into categories ranking from high to low, based on things like wealth, power, and prestige
standard of living
the level of wealth available to acquire material goods and comforts to maintain a particular socioeconomic lifestyle
status consistency
the consistency, or lack thereof, of an individual's rank across social categories like income, education, and occupation
structural mobility
a societal change that enables a whole group of people to move up or down the class ladder
upward mobility
an increase - or upward shift - in social class
wealth
the value of money and assets a person has from, for example, inheritance