What is stratification?What is stratification?

A system in which nations or A system in which nations or people within a nation are people within a nation are ranked ranked according to relative power, according to relative power, property, and prestige.property, and prestige.

1.4 billion live on less than $ 1 U.S. Dollar per day 1 billion of those are women and children.

Why should we look at Why should we look at this?this?

Life chances are impacted by Life chances are impacted by stratification i.e., the extent to stratification i.e., the extent to which individuals have access to which individuals have access to important resources, such as important resources, such as food, clothing, shelter, education, food, clothing, shelter, education, health carehealth care

What are some systems of What are some systems of stratification that have stratification that have existed?existed?

SlaverySlavery -- the owning of other people -- the owning of other people [no mobility ][no mobility ] ascribed, lifelong, considered ascribed, lifelong, considered

property, not human, no rights, property, not human, no rights, controlled via coercion controlled via coercion

contemporary examples?contemporary examples? Child labor, debt bondage, contract Child labor, debt bondage, contract

labor labor

““Today’s slaveholders have Today’s slaveholders have all the benefits of ownership all the benefits of ownership without the legalities.”without the legalities.”

K. Bales K. Bales Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global EconomyEconomy

estimates 27 million people due to bonded labor or debt estimates 27 million people due to bonded labor or debt bondagebondage

Concentrated in Southeast Asia, Northern and Western Africa, Concentrated in Southeast Asia, Northern and Western Africa, and parts of South America but exists in all countriesand parts of South America but exists in all countries

examples: child prostitution in Thailandexamples: child prostitution in Thailand enslaved brickmakers in Pakistanenslaved brickmakers in Pakistan domestic slaves in Francedomestic slaves in France Gatos - labor recruiters in Brazil Gatos - labor recruiters in Brazil Subsistence farming is giving way to cash-crop agricultureSubsistence farming is giving way to cash-crop agriculture loss of common landloss of common land govt. policies that focus on the production of cheap food for govt. policies that focus on the production of cheap food for

citiescities threat of physical forcethreat of physical force desperate conditions of povertydesperate conditions of poverty 1.4 billion people live on less than $1 (US) dollar per day. 1.4 billion people live on less than $1 (US) dollar per day.

CasteCaste -- lifelong status determined -- lifelong status determined by birth based on parents by birth based on parents ascribed status Apartheid India ascribed status Apartheid India Hinduism [no mobility]Hinduism [no mobility]

Some social scientists see a racial Some social scientists see a racial caste system today in the U.S. caste system today in the U.S. with long history against with long history against interracial marriagesinterracial marriages

Class -Class -- possession of money or - possession of money or material possessions based upon material possessions based upon ownership and control of resource ownership and control of resource [more mobility in theory].... [more mobility in theory].... begins as an ascribed status but begins as an ascribed status but may have some degree of may have some degree of individual mobility via individual mobility via achievementachievement

Gender stratification is found in Gender stratification is found in all societies (although types may all societies (although types may vary)vary)

How does stratification work in How does stratification work in America?America?

BeeghleyBeeghley -- Monopoly Game and -- Monopoly Game and American class structureAmerican class structure

Social ClassSocial Class -- groups who rank -- groups who rank about even in power, wealth, and about even in power, wealth, and prestige (socio-economic status prestige (socio-economic status or ses)or ses)

Based upon ownership and Based upon ownership and resources (materialism)resources (materialism)

Theories of StratificationTheories of Stratification

MarxMarx - -- class is determined by - class is determined by person’s relationship to means of person’s relationship to means of production -- labor is production -- labor is sold sold and a and a reserve army keeps wages low, reserve army keeps wages low,

WeberWeber -- property (i.e., wealth), -- property (i.e., wealth), prestige, and power dictate class prestige, and power dictate class standingstanding

Marx’s View of Marx’s View of StratificationStratification

Davis and Moore - Davis and Moore - Functional PerspectiveFunctional Perspective::

1 - some positions are more important than 1 - some positions are more important than othersothers

2 - important positions must be filled by qualified 2 - important positions must be filled by qualified people people

3 - qualified people have talents which must be 3 - qualified people have talents which must be translated into skillstranslated into skills

4 - for their sacrifice, society must offer them 4 - for their sacrifice, society must offer them greater rewardsgreater rewards

5 - stratification is necessary for society to 5 - stratification is necessary for society to function properlyfunction properly

6 - stratification is inevitable –it’s universal6 - stratification is inevitable –it’s universal 7 - inequality should be left to evolve on it’s 7 - inequality should be left to evolve on it’s ownown

Some consensus……Some consensus……

OccupationsOccupations Occupation is the most important index for Occupation is the most important index for

stratification in the U.S.stratification in the U.S. How do we Americans rank occupations?How do we Americans rank occupations? 1. Pay1. Pay 2. Service to Humanity2. Service to Humanity 3. Education3. Education 4. Whether the job includes abstract 4. Whether the job includes abstract

thinkingthinking 5. Social Prestige5. Social Prestige 6. Autonomy (creative decision making 6. Autonomy (creative decision making

opportunities)opportunities)

Occupational Prestige Occupational Prestige Rankings of Selected Rankings of Selected Occupations in the U.S.Occupations in the U.S.

Physician 86 Physician 86 Supreme Court Judge 76 Supreme Court Judge 76 Attorney 75Attorney 75 College professor 74 College professor 74 Architect 73Architect 73 Aerospace Engineer 72Aerospace Engineer 72 Astronomer 74 Astronomer 74 Dentist 72 Dentist 72 Bank officer 72 Bank officer 72 Engineer 71 Engineer 71 Clergy 69Clergy 69 Chemist 69 Chemist 69 School teacher 64School teacher 64 Nurse 62 and others……….Nurse 62 and others………. Author 60 Accountant 57 Actor 55 Computer programmer 51 Athlete 51 Bank Author 60 Accountant 57 Actor 55 Computer programmer 51 Athlete 51 Bank

Teller 50 Electrician 49 Police officer 48 Secretary 46 Mail carrier 42 Plumber Teller 50 Electrician 49 Police officer 48 Secretary 46 Mail carrier 42 Plumber 41 Farm owner 41 Dancer 38 Mechanic 37 Bus Driver 32 Cashier 31 Gas 41 Farm owner 41 Dancer 38 Mechanic 37 Bus Driver 32 Cashier 31 Gas station attendant 22 Taxi Driver 22 Garbage collector 28 Janitor 20 Maid 20 station attendant 22 Taxi Driver 22 Garbage collector 28 Janitor 20 Maid 20 shoeshine 9 shoeshine 9

Tumin asks, “But how does one measure Tumin asks, “But how does one measure the importance of a position?” the importance of a position?”

Who decided that school teachers are Who decided that school teachers are less valuable to society than lawyers?less valuable to society than lawyers?

Who decided that clergy are less valuable Who decided that clergy are less valuable to society than funeral morticians?to society than funeral morticians?

Why not pay those who do the dirty work Why not pay those who do the dirty work (i.e., those jobs the rest of us don’t want (i.e., those jobs the rest of us don’t want to do) more?to do) more?

StratificationStratification

Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective

Rewards are given to those in power or Rewards are given to those in power or those who serve to keep the powerful as those who serve to keep the powerful as they are (wealth among the richest in the they are (wealth among the richest in the U.S. is inherited – “old” versus “new” U.S. is inherited – “old” versus “new” money)money)

- There is less consensus than we think- There is less consensus than we think - Tasks and rewards are seldom equal, - Tasks and rewards are seldom equal,

just defined that way by the powerfuljust defined that way by the powerful - It prohibits society from working as well - It prohibits society from working as well

as it would with true meritocracy as it would with true meritocracy

Modern conflict theoristsModern conflict theorists: : Contemporary focus upon consumption and Contemporary focus upon consumption and

higher standard of living lead to complacency higher standard of living lead to complacency among consumers and fraudulent practices among consumers and fraudulent practices on wall street. on wall street.

The United States filed a fraud lawsuit against Bank of America The United States filed a fraud lawsuit against Bank of America Corp, accusing it of causing taxpayers more than $1 billion of losses Corp, accusing it of causing taxpayers more than $1 billion of losses by selling thousands of toxic mortgage loans to Fannie Mae and by selling thousands of toxic mortgage loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – 10/24/2012 ReutersFreddie Mac – 10/24/2012 Reuters

Combined these lead to Combined these lead to Alienation Alienation (a feeling of powerlessness)(a feeling of powerlessness) http://Debt by Credit.....http://Debt by Credit.....

Social mobilitySocial mobility

the movement of individuals or the movement of individuals or groups from one level of stratification groups from one level of stratification to another to another

(Intergenerational -- from one (Intergenerational -- from one generation to the next)generation to the next)

(Intragenerational -- over one’s (Intragenerational -- over one’s lifetime)lifetime)

Structural and exchange – societal Structural and exchange – societal forces. forces.

Reasons for Slowed Reasons for Slowed MobilityMobility

Shifts in labor marketShifts in labor market 1 – real wages declined after inflation1 – real wages declined after inflation 2 -manufacturing jobs were lost and not 2 -manufacturing jobs were lost and not

regained at the same level of payregained at the same level of pay 3 - unions defeated and therefore not 3 - unions defeated and therefore not

able to bargain for higher wages and able to bargain for higher wages and benefits.benefits.

4 - relocation of manufacturing to 4 - relocation of manufacturing to overseas or states with lower wages- overseas or states with lower wages- out-sourcedout-sourced

5 - assistance to the poor still being 5 - assistance to the poor still being cut wealthy have been given cut wealthy have been given significant tax breaks and incentives - significant tax breaks and incentives - welfare for the rich “wealthfare” welfare for the rich “wealthfare”

6 - increased use of part-time 6 - increased use of part-time employees to avoid fringe benefits, employees to avoid fringe benefits, health insurance, etc...health insurance, etc...

7 - job growth - but at the lowest end 7 - job growth - but at the lowest end of skill spectrum. Arkansas – new data of skill spectrum. Arkansas – new data reveals growth at minimum wagereveals growth at minimum wage

Class Dismissed.... How TV frames the working classClass Dismissed.... How TV frames the working class

Conflict theorists add:Conflict theorists add: In our society, if you work hard, In our society, if you work hard,

you might get lucky, but chances you might get lucky, but chances are, you will remain in the same are, you will remain in the same social class as your parents social class as your parents unless some structural unless some structural opportunity allows you to opportunity allows you to experience upward mobility. experience upward mobility.

Poverty, Race, and Framing of the Working Class

Last Part of Class Dismissed

How does it look for us?How does it look for us?The United States? The United States? Arkansas?Arkansas?

Have we been effected by these Have we been effected by these changes?changes?

So What do we look So What do we look likelike

Who are the Poor?Who are the Poor?

About 43.6 Million or 14.3% of our About 43.6 Million or 14.3% of our population (1 in 7 Americans) population (1 in 7 Americans)

But number of “food insecure” has But number of “food insecure” has risen to 56 Million risen to 56 Million

Number of uninsured 50.7 millionNumber of uninsured 50.7 million New Data U.S. Census.govNew Data U.S. Census.gov New Poverty since the recession......New Poverty since the recession......

So how do we measure So how do we measure povertypoverty

relative versus absoluterelative versus absolute When a low cost food budget cost When a low cost food budget cost

more than one third monthly more than one third monthly income for a family income for a family

““thrifty food plan” updated each thrifty food plan” updated each year using the consumer price year using the consumer price indexindex

What determines poverty…What determines poverty…Age is a major factorAge is a major factor

Kids represent 33 percent of those in povertyKids represent 33 percent of those in poverty One in five kids are poor in the U.S. (20.7%)One in five kids are poor in the U.S. (20.7%) Children 18 and under in Arkansas 29%Children 18 and under in Arkansas 29% Over 65, social security is the safety net [??]Over 65, social security is the safety net [??]

Race is a major factorRace is a major factor Although most poor persons are white – the within group Although most poor persons are white – the within group

proportions are much higher for minoritiesproportions are much higher for minorities White households have 10 times the wealth of black familiesWhite households have 10 times the wealth of black families 13 % Whites13 % Whites 35 % Blacks35 % Blacks 34 % Hispanics34 % Hispanics 23% Other23% Other

Source: http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparebar.jsp?Source: http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparebar.jsp?ind=14&cat=1ind=14&cat=1

See also National Poverty Center See also National Poverty Center http://npc.umich.edu/poverty/http://npc.umich.edu/poverty/

Education is a factor Education is a factor poverty by race and poverty by race and educationeducation

EducationEducation All All RacesRaces WhiteWhite

African African AmericaAmerica

nnHispanicHispanic

No No diplomadiploma 22.422.4 19.819.8 35.635.6 27.027.0

High High School School

Graduate Graduate 12.012.0 10.010.0 22.622.6 16.216.2

Some Some collegecollege 8.28.2 7.07.0 14.714.7 10.110.1

College College degreedegree

(or more) (or more)3.93.9 3.63.6 5.65.6 6.06.0

Gender is a factorGender is a factor

female headed households Feminization of female headed households Feminization of Poverty – women and girls constitute a Poverty – women and girls constitute a disproportionate share of the poor. disproportionate share of the poor.

Due to divorce, unwed mothers, lower wages Due to divorce, unwed mothers, lower wages than menthan men

Older women are twice as likely to be poor Older women are twice as likely to be poor than older menthan older men

Single Parent Families: Single Parent Families: 28.3 percent female headed versus 13.6 male headed28.3 percent female headed versus 13.6 male headed 4.9 percent for married families4.9 percent for married families

Geography is a factorGeography is a factor

Rural versus UrbanRural versus Urban Southern region has highest rates Southern region has highest rates

with more rural areas – some with more rural areas – some individual metropolitan areas individual metropolitan areas have high rateshave high rates

Rank Occupation

1. Physicians and surgeonshttp://www.studentdoc.com/salaries.html

2. Dentistshttp://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_hc07000220.html

3. Chief executives (CFO/CEO/ Hedge Fund)

4. Podiatrists

5. Lawyers

6. Engineering managers

7. Optometrists

8. Petroleum engineers

9. Natural sciences managers

10. Actuaries /Insurance

Highest earning occupations

Jobs are a factorJobs are a factor

If we start with the 43.6 millionIf we start with the 43.6 million Working poor – an additional 10.8 million – Working poor – an additional 10.8 million –

those who earn up to 125% poverty = 54.4 those who earn up to 125% poverty = 54.4 MillionMillion

If we use a more realistic measure (“working If we use a more realistic measure (“working class”) of 155% poverty (e.g., 31,000 for a class”) of 155% poverty (e.g., 31,000 for a family of 4),the total is family of 4),the total is 1818 million million

Subtotal of the poor = 62.4Subtotal of the poor = 62.4 million million Add those lifted out of poverty via social Add those lifted out of poverty via social

security benefits (16 million)security benefits (16 million) Subtotal of poor = 78.4 Million Subtotal of poor = 78.4 Million

(approximately 1 in 4 Americans are poor or at (approximately 1 in 4 Americans are poor or at risk of poverty) risk of poverty)

Meet the Smiths Meet the Smiths

What would life be like in What would life be like in northwest Arkansas for a family of northwest Arkansas for a family of 4 with two minimum wage 4 with two minimum wage earners? Official poverty earners? Official poverty guideline is $22, 050guideline is $22, 050

Working families in Working families in ArkansasArkansas

A full time minimum wage worker A full time minimum wage worker in Arkansas working 40 hours a in Arkansas working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, will earn week, 52 weeks a year, will earn $290.00$290.00 per week, or per week, or $15,080.00$15,080.00 per year. The per year. The national poverty line for a family national poverty line for a family unit consisting of two people is unit consisting of two people is $14,570/year. $14,570/year.

Roberto, Alice.. and Roberto, Alice.. and two kids –two kids – Both work $30,160 Both work $30,160

- Approximately $6937 in Taxes Approximately $6937 in Taxes - [federal, state, Medicare and OASDI][federal, state, Medicare and OASDI]

- Net Income to work with is Net Income to work with is - $23, 223$23, 223

- Divided by 12 = $1935.25Divided by 12 = $1935.25

$ 1935 to work with……..$ 1935 to work with……..

Rent: Rent: Utilities: Utilities: Car Payment:Car Payment: Child careChild care Groceries:Groceries: Insurance: Insurance: Clothing:Clothing: Medicine: Medicine: Entertainment: Entertainment:

Living wages are those wages Living wages are those wages necessary to meet minimum necessary to meet minimum monthly expenses. monthly expenses.

Arkansas advocates for Children and Arkansas advocates for Children and Families argues that Roberto and Families argues that Roberto and Alice would need to earn Alice would need to earn approximately $13.70 per hour in approximately $13.70 per hour in order to meet their family’s order to meet their family’s basicbasic needsneeds