Social class in america:

Test questions. Test Thursday. Tuesday paper presentation

Reading first 4 chapters

Kurbo 6,7,8,9

1. Classic study of stratification. Lynds, warner and hollings- head studies. Compare and talk about
what they did in study.
 The Lynds: was conducted in Middletown: stratification entered into Middletown research
as a mode for interpreting patterns uncovered in different institutional structures such as
the government, the educational system, the family, the churches and media.
 They were classified into 2 groups the businessmen 30% of the population, consisted of
sales man, jobs centered around people. and working class people 70% of the population,
had jobs that revolved around things and they used tools in their work.

 Warner study yankee city a small city in the new England coast and Jonesville a small town
in the Midwest. What emerged from the study was a six fold stratification system composed
of upper, middle and lower groupings. This was based on how the residents fit in the
stratification system.
 At the top of the system was the upper-upper status group. About one percent of the
population. Composed of wealthy old families who had inherited their wealth? They had the
tradition of the upper class passed down from generation to generation.
 The lower-upper status family was composed of roughly the same percentage of Yankee
city’s population. They also possessed considerable wealth but did not have the family
tradition.
 Another 10% of Yankee city was judged by town residents to be at the upper-middle status
level. Composed of successful businessmen and professionals were included in this group.
Their income was less than the upper status groups but, they were oriented towards
eventual acceptance by the upper-status level. The upper middle and the two upper status
groups comprised what Warner referred to as “the level above the common man.”
 The level of the common man included both the lower lower-middle status group and the
upper-lower status group. Slightly over 25% were white collar workers( excluding the
successful professionals), the owners of smaller businesses and some skilled blue collar
workers.
 At the bottom below the level of the common man was the 25% of the population classified
as the lower-lower group. People who were unemployed and often relied on relief from of
public welfare.
 Hollingshead: consisted of a five layered stratification system.
 Group 1: less than one percent of the population, they ranked highest in status. Family
heritage played a big role for them, their investment was a big part of their wealth, they
controlled most of the large businesses.
  Group 2: about 5% of the population, similar to the upper-middle group of yankee city. they
had little investment and was based on economic security. The people included here were
doctors, lawyers and dentists.
 Group 3: about 25% of the population the people included in this group where the most
successful blue collar families.
 Group 4: 44% of the population, most blue collar workers and their families classifies here,
the common man level of hard workers. Had enough money for necessities but little for
luxuries.
 Group 5: 25% percent this was the lowest ranked in elmtown, below the level of the
common man, semi-skilled and unskilled workers or machine operators.

2. Describe the economic stratification of the population top, middle, bottom in terms of income
and wealth.(chap 9 white book.
 the top one percent of the population had an income in 2007 of $400000 and above.
The top one percent also had about 35% of the total wealth. The top one percent
owned a greater share of the wealth than the 90 percent of the population.
 The middle in 2008 had the median income of $50300 whereas it was $52200 in 2007.
Half of the population was above those numbers and half was below those numbers.
This shows that the income for the middle population of the stratification system is
declining.
 The bottom of the stratification system in 2008, the poverty line income was 22,205 for
a family of four people. About forty million people were at that level or below. 22,205
was the highest income but in reality it ranged from 0-22,205. The percentage of the
population in the poverty/bottom group was 13.2%
3. What is the situation of the upper class in America? Be Able to describe economic situation in
terms of income and wealth, social world of the upper class/ social connections of the upper
class.
 the top one percent of the population had an income in 2007 of $400000 and above.
The top one percent also had about 35% of the total wealth. The top one percent
owned a greater share of the wealth than the 90 percent of the population.

4. How did the white collar and blue collar compare with one another.(chap 8, and 4th chapter in
white book.
 Time orientation
White collar emphasize in future.
Blue collar tend to focused on present, meet basic needs, also interested in future.
 Success ethic
 White collar formula: success achieved by ability and ambition.
 Blue collar a re-definition “chinoy” of success. Symbols of success. If I can own a home
or new car that defines success or have it for the kids
 Voluntary organization: PTA
 White collar more likely to join
Blue collar don’t join as much

 Attitude towards work

white collar c. Wright mills: both white collar and blue collar don’t own the means of
production.
 Political attitudes and behavior
White collar voters are more economically conservative to be against government
interference.
Blue collar more in favor of government interference liberal, blue collar are more
conservative social.

5. What is the poverty world like? Be able to talk about the economic situation of the poor, (chap
9. Blaming the victim and poor idea)
 Categories to classify the poor. Half the people classified in poor do work.
Unemployment. People who are disable, Kids: Women who are full-time mothers and
take care of their kids
 People who are cheating the welfare system about 15% and cheat on income tax
system.
 Leanord Goodwin: do the poor want to work. Welfare people, had the same attitude
towards work as the rest of the population.
 Many poor people when they work are involved in the secondary labor market.
 Low pay, no chance of social mobility, stay at the bottom,
 While the primary level market there is a chance to move up

 The rich blame the poor for being poor. They are poor because they want to not due to
other circumstances.
 Blaming the victim. What have the poor done to be poor and what can they do prevent
from being poor.
 School system: poor people don’t try hard enough in school.

6. Compare and contrast different theories of poverty. (Cultural poverty, situational, structural
theory.

 The rich blame the poor for being poor. They are poor because they want to not due to
other circumstances.
 Blaming the victim. What have the poor done to be poor and what can they do prevent
from being poor.

 One of the theories of poverty states that poor economic circumstances are caused by an
individual's own choices. For example, it is the individual who decides to take low paying jobs
by not seeking advanced educational training. This theory is mostly supported by political
 conservatives who tend to place the responsibility on the poor to work hard and strive towards
bettering themselves. The individualistic school of thought tends to perpetuate the idea that
self-motivation, determination and persistence are needed to achieve success, including
financial stability and wealth.
 Another of the individualistic theories of poverty focuses on the socioeconomic sub-cultures
that develop in certain population segments. This theory perpetuates the idea that poor or
working-class groups create and maintain certain attitudes, beliefs and perspectives that keep
them in poverty. For example, the idea that it is okay and better to be on welfare than work a
full-time job is considered a popular notion among some poor and working-class segments.
Essentially, this theory suggest people's own attitudes, beliefs and perspectives keep them in
poverty since they do not see other viable alternatives.

7. What role does the American culture play in perpetuating the American stratification
system.(chap 3)
 Lack of stratification recognition occurs at both the personal and aggregate levels of the
non upper class people. They have this lack of consciousness can be traced back to the
cultural belief in individualism which stresses that each one of us is unique.
8. How do divisions within the non upper class perpetuate the stratification system (chap 4)