Module 5 Flashcards
income
amount of money received through paid labour and/or investments
social class
A grouping based on social factors, including income, wealth, education and occupation
implies a shared standard of living based on these social factors
social class impacts
how much power and prestige individuals have
-People in the same class share similar life chances/opportunities
shared opportunities to succeed and gain economic power, health, physical activity (or not)
-social class exists in all countries
systemic social inequalities in life chances/opportunities always exist
success is not always a direct result of how hard one works
-what does this idea of effort - outcome reflect?
what are the social classes in Canada?
-upper, middle, lower = social gradient in health
Consistent association between social class position and Health status
as social class goes up, health status goes up and physical activity goes down
as a group least health is lower social class
upper class
-wealthiest and most powerful class
powerful: corporate leaders whose decisions affect job status of millions
-have control over their lives and their economic positions give them power to control their lives
ex.
-own media companies that shape our identity
-start charitable organizations that influence social causes
upper class tend to be divided in two
old money: inherited wealth, passed on to the next generation
new money: wealth earned by oneself
-less social connections to old money circles
middle class
-most tend to have a minimum of bachelors or two-year college degree
- comfort is key descriptor of middle class
-work hard and have fairly comfortable lives
-white collar jobs, including lower-level managers and highly skilled blue collar workers
white collar workers = perform non-manual labor/tasks (not physically demanding), salaried
bleu collar workers = performs manual labor, hourly
upper middle class
bachelors or postgraduate degree
-comforable incomes, allowing holidays
children recieve quality education
lower middle class
bachelors or associates degrees (community or technical colleges)
-hold jobs supervised by upper class
-decent lifestyle but struggle to maintain it
Also threatened in recent years by higher taxes, education costs and shelter costs
called the middle class squeeze
lower class
-have less education and usually earn smaller incomes than the middles class
working class:
-perform blue collar jobs, requiring little skill or experience
-perform routine tasks under close supervision
working poor
-perform blue collar jobs requiring little skill or experience without benefits
-usually seasonal or temporary work
-even if they work full time they earn less than a living wage
-amount needed for basic needs (foods, shelter, clothing) and participate in community life
*there is not one set number to tell us what a living wage is
-varies by location and number of family members
underclass
-live mainly in inner cities
-unemployed or underemployed (low pay for basic tasks)
-homeless
-rely on government assistance (food, medical care, housing)
social mobility
-ability to change social positions
A high degree of social mobility, upwards, or downwards - suggests that equal opportunities exist for all people
intergenerational mobility
difference in social classes between different members of the same generation
-differences in social class different between different members of the same generation
structural mobility
societal changes enable a whole groups of people to move within the social ladder
how does social mobility happen ?
-if equality of opportunity exists then access to rewards would exactly equal ones personal effort and talents/abilities (merits) to achieve those rewards
-social class standing does not impact the relationship between efforts/merit and rewards
alternative viewpoint: equality is a myth, aimed to keep people motivated to work hard
-and gets them to not see social inequality; instead as a lack of personal efforts or merit
-ideology of equality of opportunities is a mirage that masks inequality in society
does social class matter to being physically active
YES, social classes do not have equality of opportunities
Have different participation rates
-have distinct types of physical activity that they participate in
reflective of different opportunities
participation in Physical activity and the upper class
1) social exclusivity
-private clubs with expensive membership fees and strict requirements
-emphasizes the idea that wealthy and influential people deserve special places to play sport
participation in Physical activity and the upper class
2) conspicuous consumption
using physical activity as a means of showing off privileged position
-personal trainers, sport coaches (golf pro)
-expensive sporting equipment
participation in Physical activity and the upper class
3) control over time: flexibility in work hours
-haivng flexibility to go yachting, skiing , golfing,
where they can take time away from work
participation in Physical activity and the upper class
4) sport and physical activity as purely “leisured” activity
-aesthetic and/or expensive sports team
- gymnastics, figure skating, archer, hockey, lacrosse
participation in physical activity and the middle class
Team sports
cheaper, higher number of players
-basketball, volleyball
-schools, community based
requires a fee
participation in physical activity and the middle class
structured leisure
-sport and exercise are regulated around work times
-creates demand for weekend, evening and summer leisure
and early-bird fitness
