Unit 2 Stratification

Question 1

What is inequality?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What is social stratification?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

What is the functionalist view of stratification?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is the Marxist view of stratification?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What did Weber say about stratification?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What is the feminist view of stratification?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What is social differentiation?

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

What is power?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What is authority?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Do we live in a classless society?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Are inequalities of social class still important in the UK?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

How does social class affect life chances?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

How does society present gender roles in the UK today?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

How does gender affect life chances?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What is the feminist view of patriarchy?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

How have men been affected by social changes in UK society?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

How doe norms of different age groups vary in different societies?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

How does the media present different age groups?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

How does age affect life chances?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

How do issues of race and ethnicity affect people in 21st Century UK?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

How does the media portray different ethnic groups?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

How does ethnicity affect life chances?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

How is disability viewed in our society?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

How does disability affect life chances?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

How have attitudes to sexuality changed over time?

Answer 25

There is no doubt that the media and social norms have changed a great deal. As
usual, sociologists disagree about whether this is a good thing or bad thing. New
Right sociologists question the extent of social changes. Other sociologists would
see the new attitudes as leading to more tolerance and equality.

Question 26

How does sexuality affect life chances?

Answer 26

The 21st century promises change for people in LGBT groups. However, the
life-chances of these groups are still affected by prejudice and discrimination.
Government efforts to improve education in schools have helped, but there is still
need for improvement.

Question 27

What is poverty?

Answer 27

The definition of poverty varies across times, places and cultures. Poverty has been
seen for the last hundred years as something which governments should try to
prevent. The definitions of absolute and relative poverty are useful in understanding
and measuring poverty.

Question 28

What is deprivation?

Answer 28

There are two kinds of deprivation. Material deprivation means being without the
goods or circumstances needed for an acceptable lifestyle. Cultural deprivation
means being without life experiences and quality family support.

Question 29

Which groups suffer from poverty?

Answer 29

Some groups are more likely to live in poverty than others. Class, age, gender,
ethnicity and disability are all significant factors in poverty. Discrimination,
unemployment and low pay are all key reasons for this. Some people might belong
to more than one of the groups affected.

Question 30

What is social exclusion?

Answer 30

Social exclusion happens when some groups are not able to take part in society.
These groups will feel marginalised, powerless and unable to enjoy the benefits of
living in society. There are several groups that suffer from social exclusion, including
ethnic minorities, unemployed people and disabled people.

Question 31

Why are poverty and social exclusion difficult to solve?

Answer 31

Even a wealthy country like the UK has found poverty and social exclusion difficult
to break down. Government attempts to promote social inclusion have had limited
success with some parts of the underclass and some excluded groups. The New
Right blames the culture of the poor and the government for encouraging very
poor people to be dependent on benefits. Marxists blame the capitalist system for
encouraging greed and inequality.

Question 32

How does globalisation affect affect poverty in the UK?

Answer 32

Globalisation can bring wealth and better lifestyles to a country. However, some
of the features of globalisation make people on low incomes very vulnerable to
unemployment and poverty.