ch2 key terms Flashcards
society’s system of ranking categories of people in a hierarchy
social stratification
categories of people who have similar access to resources and opportunities
social classes
salary or wages from a job plus earnings from investments and other sources
income
the value of all the economic assets owned by a person or family, minus any debts
wealth
a policy that raise tax rates as income increases
progressive taxation
an income level set by the US government for counting the poor
poverty line
the difference between the actual income of the typical poor household and the official poverty line
poverty gap
the trend of women making up an increasing share of the poor
minimization of poverty
poor people who live in areas with high concentrations of poverty and limited opportunities for schooling or work
underclass
the plight of poor people who lack shelter and live primarily on the streets
homelessness
organized efforts by government, private organizations, or individuals to assist needy people considered worthy of assistance
social welfare programs
cultural patterns that make poverty a way of life
culture of poverty
a system of social inequality in which social standing corresponds to personal ability and effort
meritocracy
a breakdown in social order caused by rapid social change
social disorganzation
finding the cause of a social problem in the behavior of people who suffer from it
blaming the victim
