Social Stratification

docx

School

University of Nairobi *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

HUMAN RESO

Subject

Sociology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

5

Uploaded by ianmwabel

Report
Introduction to Sociology Module Outline 4 Chapter 7. Stratification, Social class, and Inequality 1 Stratification, Social Class, and Inequality Student’s Name Institution Affiliation
Introduction to Sociology Module Outline 4 Chapter 7. Stratification, Social class, and Inequality 2 I. As you read Chapter 7 , Stratification, Class and Inequality (from the class textbook), please define and explain the following terms: This section should be about 150 words in length, it is worth 3 points How do sociologists define Social Stratification? Sociologists refer to social stratification as the system of social standing where a society ranks its people into different categories based on their wealth, education, background, power and income. It is more of dividing groups into groups according to their social hierarchies. Examples of social stratification are social class and slavery. What is a social class? Social class is a set of concepts where society is divided based on the economic status of individuals. This is based on wealth, power and the educational attainment of an individual. Class can be divided into upper, upper middle, lower middle and the working class. This shows how the society is divided based on one his or her social status. What is the Caste system and how does it contrast to the Class system? Castle system is a class structure that is based on one’s birth. This means one has the opportunity to resources based on his or her family background. Castle system differs from class system because the latter is based on one’s economic power, education, and achievements and not where he or she was born. Castle system only favors the few whose families were established from the beginning. Those who have worked hard to uplift their families are still not counted under this system.
Introduction to Sociology Module Outline 4 Chapter 7. Stratification, Social class, and Inequality 3 II. As your read the chapter and learn about the broader theoretical explanations of Social Stratification, reflect on the following concepts: This section should be about 200 words in length, it is worth 4 points According to Karl Marx, what are the two main classes, and how do they relate to each other? Karl Marx brings out two main classes, which are the ruling capitalist class and the working class. The capitalists own the means of production while the working class provide the labor that helps to produce profits. The working classes or the proletarians work for the bourgeoisies and these two groups coexist each other. Without the capitalists, the working class will have no meaning to their labor and without the working class the capitalists will not be able to produce profits. What are the three main differences between Max Weber’s and Karl Marx’s theories of social stratification? Max says that class is determined by economic factors whereas Weber believed this to be as a result of many factors combined. Max believed that only two classes exist in our societies while Weber believed that four classes of people exist in our societies. Max argues that capitalism is as a result of revolutionary class struggle and this may lead to a more classless society where socialists will emerge. On the other hand, Weber believes that the reason for classes is because of the differences in the division of labor and thinks this can later lead to a socialist society. How does social stratification contribute to the functioning of society? What is wrong with this argument?
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help
Introduction to Sociology Module Outline 4 Chapter 7. Stratification, Social class, and Inequality 4 Social stratification is important as it creates productivity, efficiency and excellence leading to people striving for something. This means that everyone benefits from the system to a certain extent. This argument is wrong because it means that without something to strive for, then people will not work hard or will cease to exist. People exist because they have something that they want to achieve. What about young children who exist without anything to achieve? Something is really wrong with this argument. III.Putting it all together… This section should be about 150 words in length, it is worth 3 points Compare and contrast the culture of poverty argument and structural explanations of poverty Culture of poverty suggest that poverty is an outcome of people’s values and cultural norms. This means that if our grandparents were living in poverty, then we are likely to be in the same cycle. On the other hand, structural explanation is when a structure is as a result of a cause. An example is when one throws himself to a pool. Therefore, this means that the set social institutions guide us on what we do and this makes a society. Why are women and children at a high risk of becoming impoverished in the United  States today Women and children face greater risk of poverty and they are at risk of becoming impoverished in the US today because of the societal disadvantage and inequalities they face. When we look at the family structure, women are not treated the same as men and in the US they only get paid up to 77% of what men are earning from the same qualifications.
Introduction to Sociology Module Outline 4 Chapter 7. Stratification, Social class, and Inequality 5 References Tubergen, F. V. (2020).  Introduction to sociology . Routledge.