CH.6 - Class & Inequality Flashcards
proletariat (working class)
The social group that exchanged labour for wages.
bourgeoisie(capitalists)
The social group that posses capital and thus also owns and commands the means of production
Class
The division of people into social groups based on the distribution of material resources and power
Class conscioiusness
A shared sense of identity and common interests that stems from an awareness of similar econnomic position
Socioeconomic status
A method of ranking people that combines measures of income, wealth, and prestige.
Social stratification
A hierarchal system of inequality that is based on class, socioeconomic status, and power combined with other forms of differentiation, such as gender and ethnicity.
Conspicuous Consumption
Purchasing of valuable goods to express class belonging and status
Upward Mobility
- to move to a higher position in the stratification heirarchy
- Canada has high social mobility
- edu. can help with social mobility
- Grow up poor = going through poverty cycles, limits opportunities to rise up
Exchange mobility
Movement within an occupational hierarchy that can only occue when an exsisting position becomes vacant.
(The role of president is filled until they time out and sb else can fill role)
Structure mobility
Movement withing an occupational hierarchy that can occur as a result of the creation of new jobs or positions without displacing jobs of others.
Primary labour market
Industries that provide jobs with high wages, good opportunities for advancement, and job security. (Jobs in tech are in high demand now compared to labour jobs)
Secondary labour market
Sectors in the economy that offer low-paying jobs characterized by fewer opportunities for advancement and insecurity.
Intergenerational Mobility
The movement of people into positions that are higher or lower than the positions held by thier parents. (Most likely from getting an education)
Intragenerational (career) mobility
Social mobility within a person’s lifespan into positions that are higher or lower
(social mobiltiy can be affected by ethnicity, class, gender, and sexual beliefs)
Downward mobility
Social mobility into lower-regarded and lower-paid jobs. (w/ ppl lose thier job and take a worse job)
Underemployment
Employment in a job that requires far less expertise, skill, or ability than the job-holder has to offer.
Measuring poverty and well-being
Lack of income needed to fulfill basic needs & lack of access to education, health care, and political representation
Low income cut-off
A method used to measure the income thresholds in which a familiy will spend a larger portion of its income in essential necessities compared to a higher income family.
(Might spend ab 1/2 of income on essentials compared to a higher income family that may spend ab 1/5)
Market basket measure
Calculates how much income a household requires to meet its need, including basic needs, and needs that satisfy community norms
Low income measure
Calculates low income threshold of a household as one half of the meidan income in same-sized households in similar sized communities.
Absolute poverty
Level at which a persons income does not meet basic survival needs
Relative poverty
Person’s income meets basic needs but they live below general living standard
Stigma
Marginalized because of someone’s life circumstances or characteristics, excluding that person from full social acceptance
Hidden homeless
People without homes who stay in friends and families houses rather than shelters
Indigenous pop. and ecomonic challenges
- inadequate health care
- high costs of living
- high unemployment rates
Food banks
Use of food banks are due to: unstable economy, unemployment, refugees, spike in food prices
* not all ppl using food banks are homeless
Social derterminants of health
The social factors affecting a persoms health and well-being
* healthy eating and lifestyle
* ppl w higher education have better health
* things that affect health are edu., income, employment, childhood devel., gender, racialization, immigration, working conditions
Childhood education and childcare
Children that are exposed to early education will gain more advantages in later life
Formal education and credentials
- edu. is the single most important equalizer in society
- edu. helps w finding a job, getting a higher wage, and maintaing employment
Safety nets
- 3rd party solution to inequality
- programs that provide social assistance, universal health care, homeless shelters and foodbanks
- In canada we have a publiclly funded health care system
Social assistance
Programs that provide payments to lowest earning individuals who fail to meet basic needs
* but this system often fails ppl who use it as ppl still use food banks and still cannot give thier kids access to equal opportunities
Universal Basic Income
A monthly payment to all members of society guarunteeing acceptable standard of living such as welfare (seen during covid with cerb)
