Unit 2 Stratification Flashcards
What is inequality?
Inequality is a very lively topic in sociology and in the UK today. It creates disagreement because it is about who gets the best things in society.
What is social stratification?
Stratification is the way that society is divided up. Most societies have some kind
of stratification system. Sociologists are divided between those who think this is a
good thing and those who criticise it. There is also disagreement about whether the
UK is a meritocracy. We will learn about these views in the following sections.
What is the functionalist view of stratification?
Functionalists offer an explanation of why we must have inequalities. They believe that stratification (society being made up of unequal layers) of rich and poor is necessary for society to function well. Davis and Moore say that stratification helps to find the right people for the right jobs and motivates people to try their best. However, some sociologists disagree because not everyone has a fair chance. In the next sections you will find out what Marxists and feminists have to say about this.
What is the Marxist view of stratification?
Marx’s ideas have had a huge impact on the world. Many sociologists have
continued to use his theories to help understand our fast-changing world. People
who disagree with Marx would say that the countries that tried communism have
failed. Most countries have abandoned their communist societies.
What did Weber say about stratification?
Weber’s idea is useful for understanding our complex society. It recognises that several things affect a person’s life-chances and what is important to them. Marxists would criticise Weber for underestimating the power of the ruling class and how much being a worker without power affects life-chances.
What is the feminist view of stratification?
Although social class and ethnicity are major differences, feminists see the most important inequalities as those between men and women. Women face disadvantages in many areas of life. Things have clearly changed in the UK, but feminists disagree about how much.
What is social differentiation?
People in the UK have become much more aware of social difference. Sociology has
changed as a result of this, but has also helped to make changes. Gender, ethnicity
and social class will remain important aspects of sociology. However, disability and
sexuality are also areas that sociologists now study.
What is power?
Marxists would criticise the functionalists’ view as power is not shared equally. The rich and powerful ruling class has the ability to use the agencies of social control to protect its interests. Feminists would add to this that the rich and powerful are mostly male and use the power to protect male interests.
What is authority?
Weber thought that, in reality, all three types of authority were likely to occur. In the UK, we have aspects of all three working together. The queen has traditional authority, but we have an election system to choose our government and prime minister. However, personality (charisma) might play an important part in who we choose.
Do we live in a classless society?
There is disagreement between sociologists as to whether social class is still important. The New Right believe that class is disappearing, but Marxists would say that class still has a powerful influence on life-chances. Studies present mixed evidence about this issue.
Are inequalities of social class still important in the UK?
Most evidence shows that social class inequality in the UK is increasing. Sociologists
disagree about whether this is something to worry about. The New Right hopes that
increased wealth will make everyone better off, but Marxists believe that inequalities
are becoming greater, especially for the working class.
How does social class affect life chances?
Higher social classes appear to have better life-chances. The New Right would put this down to greater ability and attitude, but Marxists would see it as due to the inequalities of capitalism.
How does society present gender roles in the UK today?
Feminists challenge stereotypes about gender shown in the media. They also criticise the whole socialisation process as being harmful to boys and girls. Whether they have been successful in changing things so far is a really important question for sociologists to consider today.
How does gender affect life chances?
Despite legislation in the form of the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay
Act, which are supported by the Equality Act of 2010, there continues to be
discrimination against women in the workplace.
What is the feminist view of patriarchy?
Feminists all agree that the stratification system in the UK leaves women in an unequal position to that of men. Although improvements have been made, feminists disagree about how to improve things further. All feminists see the social world as male dominated in many ways and consider this to be unhealthy for society as a whole.
How have men been affected by social changes in UK society?
The idea of being a man is changing rapidly in today’s society. Sociologists argue
that 21st-century men are confused about their role and identity. Concepts of
masculinity seem to be changing all the time.
How doe norms of different age groups vary in different societies?
There are many changes to the expectations of age in the UK. Elderly people still
have relatively low status, although they work longer now. Childhood is becoming
shorter and may disappear altogether. Marxists say that concepts of age change to
suit the needs of capitalism. All of these arguments support the view that people’s
identity based on age is socially constructed.
How does the media present different age groups?
All of this stereotyping has harmful effects on both young and old people. It might
affect their confidence, wellbeing and opportunities. It could also harm society
in terms of wasting talent and creating unrest.
How does age affect life chances?
The Equality Act of 2010 brought legislation about ageism into line with racism and sexism. However, stereotypes might still lead to prejudice and discrimination which might be difficult to prove, affecting life-chances for both the old and the young.
How do issues of race and ethnicity affect people in 21st Century UK?
One aspect of the controversy over immigration in the UK is racism. Racist attitudes have remained a problem that the government is trying to deal with alongside fears about too much immigration.
How does the media portray different ethnic groups?
There have been improvements in the way ethnic minorities are shown in the media. There are more programmes now that feature ethnic-minority characters in lead roles, such as Luther and Crazyhead, and storylines not on stereotypical lines. However, there are still many areas for improvement. Idris Elba, star of Luther, first found success in the USA in The Wire. David Harewood, probably best known from Homeland in the USA, has criticised British television for the lack of black characters.
How does ethnicity affect life chances?
Racism remains a very live issue in British society. On the one hand, there are
improved laws protecting ethnic minorities, but evidence indicates that racism still
affects life-chances.
How is disability viewed in our society?
A prejudice continues to be held by many members of society which assumes that
disabled people are less capable than non-disabled people. This is more so when
people have mental health or learning disabilities.
How does disability affect life chances?
The social model of disability focuses on three barriers for disabled people. The
first of these are physical barriers. Legislation specifies that employers should make
reasonable adjustments to allow disabled people to be successful at work. The
second barrier, discrimination, is illegal. However, the third barrier, stereotyping by
the media and prejudice of people in everyday life, is still damaging life-chances for
disabled people.
