Social Stratification in the United States

Introduction to Social Stratification

• Max Weber’s three dimensions:
  • Economic class
  • Social status
  • Power
• Focus: social stratification in the United States
• Question: Do we live up to the ideals of equality?

Income Inequality

• Quintiles: Division of the population into five parts (20% each)
  • Bottom quintile: <$22,800/year
  • Median income: $56,000/year
  • Top quintile: >$117,000/year
• Income Distribution:
  • Top quintile earns ~50% of all income
  • Top 5% earns ~20% of all income
  • Bottom quintile earns ~3.4% of all income

Wealth Inequality

• Definition:
  • Wealth: the total value of money and assets
  • Includes real estate, stocks, bonds
• Wealth Distribution:
  • Bottom quintile: average net worth is negative (-$6,000)
  • Median wealth: $68,000
  • Top quintile: average net worth $630,000
  • Top 1%: $2.4 million
• Demographic Variations:
  • Gender: Women < Men
  • Marital status: Married > Unmarried
  • Race: White households > Black households
  • Homeownership: Major source of wealth for White Americans

Historical Context: Redlining

• Federal Housing Agency (FHA):
  • Insured mortgages in the 1930s
  • Redlining: Denial of loans to minority neighborhoods
• Impact:
  • Continued racial wealth inequality
  • Segregation in homeownership

Political Power and Influence

• Study by Gilens and Page:
  • Political influence correlates with high income
  • High income correlates with educational attainment and civic activity

Occupational Prestige

• Social Perception of Jobs:
  • Top jobs: Surgeons, College Presidents, Lawyers
  • Middle jobs: IT technicians, Office Supervisors
  • Bottom jobs: Busboys, Parking lot attendants
• Education and Prestige:
  • Top jobs require advanced degrees
  • Prestige correlates with higher pay

Education and Socioeconomic Status

• Statistics:
  • High school diploma: 88% of adults
  • Bachelor’s degree: 33% of adults
  • Advanced degree: 12% of adults
• Socioeconomic Influence:
  • College attendance linked to income background
  • Racial disparities in education attainment

Meritocracy vs. Inherited Status

• Meritocracy:
  • Social stratification based on merit
  • Encourages hard work and skill development
• Inherited Status:
  • Socioeconomic status often passed down generations
  • Environment influences life opportunities

Conclusion

• Key Aspects of Stratification:
  • Income inequality
  • Wealth inequality
  • Political power
  • Occupational prestige
  • Educational attainment
• Role of Sociology: Understanding inequalities among demographic groups
• Further Exploration: Upcoming episodes on inequalities

Acknowledgments

• Production: Dr. Cheryl C. Kinney Studio
• Support: Crash Course funded by Patreon