Sociology - Social and Global Stratification - Quick Guides

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Study GuideSociology–Social and Global Stratification1. Types of Social Classes of PeopleSocial classrefers to a group of people who share similar levels ofwealth, power, and socialstatus. Sociologists study social class tounderstand how people live, work, and interact in society.To identify social class, sociologists commonly usethree methods:•Objective method:Looks at measurable facts, such as income, education, and occupation.•Subjective method:Asks people how they see themselves in society.•Reputational method:Asks people to classify others based on social standing.Using these methods, researchers estimate that in the United States today:•About15–20%of people are in thelower class•Around30–40%are in theworking class•About40–50%belong to themiddle class•Only1–3%are part of theupper classLet’s take a closer look at each group.1.1 The Lower ClassThelower classis often associated withpoverty, unemployment, and homelessness. Manypeople in this group have not completed high school and struggle to meet basic needs. Commonchallenges include limited access tohealthcare, safe housing, nutritious food, proper clothing,and job training.

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Study GuideUnfortunately, the media often portray the lower class in negative and unfair ways. They may labelpeople as part of an “underclass” and suggest harmful stereotypes, such as welfare abuse or criminalbehavior. These portrayals are inaccurate and ignore thereal structural barriers—like lack ofopportunity and resources—that contribute to poverty.1.2 The Working ClassTheworking classincludes people withminimal educationwho usually work inmanual or hands-on jobs. These jobs often havelittle prestigeand limited chances for advancement.•Unskilled workers—such as dishwashers, cashiers, maids, and waitresses—are oftenunderpaid and may be referred to as theworking poor.•Skilled workers, like carpenters, plumbers, and electricians, are known asblue-collarworkers. They may earn more money than some middle-class workers, but their jobs areusuallyphysically demandingand sometimesdangerous.1.3 The Middle ClassThemiddle classis often called the“sandwich class”because it sits between the working classand the upper class. Middle-class workers typically earn more than those below them but less thanthose at the top.This class is divided intotwo levels:•Lower middle class:Includes people with moderate education and income, such asteachers, secretaries, managers, and small business owners.•Upper middle class:Includes highly educated professionals with higher incomes, such asdoctors, lawyers, CEOs, and stockbrokers.Most middle-class jobs are consideredwhite-collar, meaning they involve office or professional workrather than manual labor.

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Study Guide1.4 The Upper ClassTheupper classmakes up only1–3%of the U.S. population, yet it ownsmore than 25% of thenation’s wealth. This group is extremely wealthy and highly influential.The upper class is divided into two groups:•Lower-upper class:People with“new money”, earned through businesses, investments, orother financial ventures.•Upper-upper class:Families with“old money”who have been wealthy for generations.Their wealth is inherited, and they often live off income from investments.Theupper-upper classis usually seen as more prestigious because of its long family history ofwealth.No matter how they got their money, people in both groups areexceptionally rich. They typically liveinexclusive neighborhoods, belong toelite social clubs, and send their children totop privateschools. Because of their wealth and connections, they holdsignificant power and influence, bothnationally and around the world.2. Social MobilityWhen sociologists studysocial class, an important question comes up:Can people move up or down in society?This movement is calledsocial mobility, whichmeans achange in a person’s social position within a society.The answer isyes, social mobility is possible—buthow easy it is depends on the type of society.2.1 Closed Societies and Caste SystemsIn aclosed society, social mobility isvery limited or not possible at all. These societies usuallyhave acaste system.In a caste system:

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Study Guide•A person’s social position is based onassignment, not achievement.•People areborn intotheir caste or marry within it.•Changing castes isextremely rare.A modern example isIndia, where traditional caste divisions still exist. People born into the lowestcaste, often called the“untouchables,”traditionally cannot move into higher castes.South Africahas also had a caste-like system in its social structure.2.2 Open Societies and Class SystemsIn contrast, anopen societyhas aclass system, where social mobility ispossible.In a class system:•Social position depends more onachieved status, such as education and job success.•It depends less onascribed status, such as gender or family background.TheUnited Statesis an example of an open society. Because education, skills, and careers matter,people are more likely to move between social classes.2.3 Patterns of Social MobilityThere areseveral different wayspeople can experience social mobility.2.3.1Horizontal MobilityHorizontal mobilitymeans moving within thesame social level.For example, a nurse who leaves one hospital to work as a nurse at another hospital has changedjobs but stayed in the samesocial class.

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Study Guide2.3.2Vertical MobilityVertical mobilityinvolves movingup or downthe social ladder.•Upward mobility:Gaining a higher status, such as receiving a promotion in the Army.•Downward mobility:Losing status, such as being demoted in rank.2.3.3Intragenerational MobilityIntragenerational mobility, also calledcareer mobility, happenswithin a person’s lifetime.An example is someone who starts in an entry-level job and gradually moves up the corporate ladder.2.3.4Intergenerational MobilityIntergenerational mobilityoccursacross generations.For example, a person from a lower-class family who graduates from medical school has achievedupward mobility compared to their parents.Sociologists in the United States pay special attention to this type of mobility because it reflects theidea of the“American Dream”—the belief that hard work can lead to success and “rags-to-riches”opportunities.2.4 Structural Mobility and Individual MobilitySometimes, large changes in society allowmany people to move up at the same time. This iscalledstructural mobility.Examples include:•Industrialization•Increased access toeducation•Growth ofcomputer technologyin a post-industrial society

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