Socy Final
British Airways Advertising -- Inequality & Gender
"IT TAKES A SPECIAL KIND OF GIRL TO INSPIRE THIS KIND OF TRUST" + AD for Flight Attendants back when women were STEWARDESSES + example of the way that we are socialized and structured into particular social positions that may reinforce different types of inequality + This advertisement is specifically looking for women to do this job of CARING FOR PEOPLE ~ good with children ; needing to be a good caretaker ; comes naturally to women. +REINFORCEMENT within the image of women NEEDING to be CARING FOR PEOPLE Sociologists 1st Study Looking @ EMOTIONAL LABOR = studied flight attendants and how a major aspect of their job is doing this emotional labor + MANAGING THE EMOTIONS OF OTHERS = the emotion work that is generally assigned to women in our culture ~ expectation of women. EMOTIONAL LABOR = Women's work that is not necessarily recognized on a paycheck the way it is for Physical Labor / Intellectual Labor (men). + ex. intellectual labor = recognized as its own form of labor - deserving of its own form of reward (Paycheck). + Emotional Labor = thought of as a gift that "comes naturally" to women because "women love people" and its "nice to do" -- Rather than "its difficult" + Women = not compensated accordingly which sets up differences in recognition
Hegemony
"a condition by which a dominant group uses its power to elicit the voluntary 'consent' of the masses" Hegemony (covert violence) vs. overt Violence Example: Hegemonic masculinity/femininity
Subculture
"a group united by sets of concepts, values, symbols, and shared meaning specific to the members of that group and distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same culture or society"
Stereotypes
"a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing"
What does a JUST & SUSTAINABLE society look like?
"can it perpetuate itself / continue without breaking down?" STRUCTURAL PERSPECTIVE a. POLITICS = taxes, public funding, assistance, franchise / voting participation in decision making (@ structural level) b. MEDICINE & HEALTH = - Medicine = availability, affordability, & quality - Health = environmental justice, food deserts, housing, & emotional support centers c. CRIMINAL JUSTICE / LAW = policing, incarceration, rehabilitation, sentencing, & representation d. EDUCATION = availability, affordability, &quality e. ECONOMY = labor market, distribution of goods & services, wages ALL could be distributed more equitably in our society -- impacts the life changes of people who run through a system -- unfair / unequal ways people are treated differently by the system
Cultural Scripts
"modes of behavior and understanding that are not universal or natural" Example: sexual scripts
Ethnocentrism
"the belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others, and the tendency to view all other cultures from the perspective of one's own"
EXAMPLES of WHITE PRIVILEGE
#1 "I can CRITICIZE my GOV and NOT be seen as a CULTURAL OUTSIDER or "LOW LIFE" ~ Freedom to engage in social protests #2 "I can find FOODS that fit my CULTURAL HERITAGE, my BACKGROUND, my PREFERENCES, etc. very EASILY" ~ Closest supermarket with foods necessary for Asian Cooking = over an hour away #3 DIFFERENCES in INCOME & WEALTH ~ When you look at incomes and control for education & occupation, Asians actually do not get paid as much as they should ~ White people paid more on average ~ THUS: there IS SYSTEMIC RACISM
SOCIAL CHANGE : SOCIOLOGISTS SEVERAL ASSERTIONS
#1 Change in one INSTITUTION creates changes in ANOTHER INSTITUTION. ~ "No institution is an island" #2 SHIFTING ECONOMIES [ AGRICULTURAL --> INDUSTRIAL ] = FAMILY SIZE [ decreases ] ~ Family size SHRINKS as economy shifts from agricultural to industrial (a "given") ~ Based on "personal reasons" ... but these reasons are shared by everyone else in society -- ROOTED in these STRUCTURAL CHANGES. ~ Changes in one causes changes in the other! #3 INCREASING WOMEN in WORKFORCE = WOMEN'S INDEPENDENCE ~ The increasing women in the workforce RESULTED in the changes in the SOCIALIZATION of women ~ Women's independence RESULTED in changes in familial structure ~~ From willingness to LEAVE MARITAL SITUATIONS & the willingness to choose either CHILDLESSNESS or SINGLENESS. #4 INCREASING WOMEN in COLLEGE = INCREASE in NEW SEXUAL IDENTITIES [specifically women] ~ College Students = attitudes & behaviors do NOT reflect the conventional norms / standards of society ~ outside of college ~ The increase in women going to college RESULTED in an INCREASE of SEXUAL EXPERIMENTATION & SEXUAL IDENTITIES [women especially] ~~ SEXUAL REVOLUTIONS: CHANGES of SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, NEW RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS, etc. ~~ MEN = same behaviors & relationship patterns, BUT with DIFFERENT KINDS of PARTNERS + THUS: these changes have contributed to some LARGER CULTURAL CHANGES [more so for women than men] #5 NEW TECHNOLOGY + MEDICINE & The FAMILY = The PILL = WOMEN'S INDEPENDENCE From MOTHERING ~ Social change in medicine & technology RESULTED in changes and shifts in FAMILY PLANNING, AGE @ CONCEPTION, & STARTING FAMILIES --> Women's independence in mothering + BEFORE: women had set expectations for reproduction + THEN: The PILL = enabled a reliable & consistent distinction between SEXUAL BEHAVIOR & REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR ~ THUS: Mind-blowing changes in SEXUALITY & WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.
EFFECTIVE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
#1 EXPRESS CLAIMS to WIDE AUDIENCE in IMPACTFUL way [but not necessarily SYMPATHETIC] - Articulate the IDEOLOGY [interconnected beliefs that offer explanations + solutions regarding social issues], NATURE of GRIEVANCES, FOCUSED BLAME for GRIEVANCES, & JUSTIFIES RELEVANT POLITICAL ACTION. ~ EVOKE EMOTIONS!! -- Social Movements / Campaigns are MOST EFFECTIVE use TACTICS which evoke emotions ; this gets people invested & engaged --- By getting people to pay attention, they can then be inspired to take action. ~ Make GRIEVANCES APPARENT and CLEAR! -- Simplification of the issue while specifying the reasons it is wrong and that it needs to be addressed in order to justify the relevant action. --- IMPLICIT VALUE CLAIM in the background of a GRIEVANCE ; the campaign / movement makes the IMPLICIT VALUE CLAIM --> EXPLICIT!! #2 RECRUIT and RETAIN ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP ~ NEED the RIGHT BALANCE of being both ENGAGING & REQUIRING some kind of INVESTMENT from those who are PARTICIPATING -- But NOT OVERTAXING them so that they become BURNT OUT & FADE AWAY. [ Donating $, Donating Time, Showing up for particular tactics, i.e., voting ] ~ NEED enough MEMBERS for connectedness, But NOT TOO MANY that they get BORED.
Material Culture
(buildings, freeways, phones, clothes, books, furniture)
Distribution of net worth in US
(graph) - HUGE disparity in wealth !! -- TOP 1% = 40% net worth -- BOTTON 80% = 10% net worth (many in negatives) - social justice sociologists call this INEQUALITY -- underlying social forces at play - maintaining the inequality - explanations depend on the theoretical lens you look through
Ratio of US CEO pay to Avg. worker pay
(graph) - companies worth = standard pay of the CEO - GAPS in EARNING! -- wage workers = LOW pay -- top executives = astronomically more pay Recent US Trend - CEOS in full charge of the multi-billion dollar companies -- take assets rather than income ! - EXPLOSION in 2000 = reflects changes with tech internet boom, emergence of transnational corporations, and conglomerates becoming more the norm
NON Material Culture
(language, values, beliefs, social norms, conceptualizations)
Hooks -- Conversation Reading
- Learning & talking together, we break with the notion that our experience of gaining knowledge is private, individualistic, and competitive - conversation is awesomely democratic - we live in a culture in which many people lack the basic skills of communication because they spend most of their time being passive consumers of information - Feminist theory that critically examines constructions of masculinity shows that to make boys into partiarchal men, society trains them to value silence over speech -they may find themselves becoming people who either CANNOT talk OR when the do talk they only engage in monologue - withholding gives one power over another person & promotes + maintains a hierarchy of domination - conversation = about GIVING -genuine conversation = about the sharing of power & knowledge - fundamentally a cooperative enterprise - in Classroom discussions that are not conversations - there is often a sense that argument and negative contestation are the only ways to address relevant issues - negative conflict based discussion almost always invites the mind to close -there is much obsession in academic circles about the ownership of ideas -competition for academic regard leads individuals to have a desperate need to be seen as the "one" who first thought of an idea
Examples of Privilege
1. personal level = an internalized level of attitudes & beliefs about others -- prejudice ! -- believing that my race/culture/customs/body type/gender/way of having sex/ other preferences are "NORMAL" or even BETTER than others -- and NOT having that CHALLENGED -- gives me: comfort, confidence, & ease as I travel through life ---- doesn't take up emotional bandwidth to navigate conflicting messages about me --- not based on my group membership! -- I don't have to fear about others beliefs/attitudes/expectations about me -- RESULTS in = me having the confidence to apply for everything -- even if I'm not qualified 2. interpersonal level = involves the actions of others -- being welcomed, accepted, & treated as an individual and with respect 3. Structural / Institutional level = access to opportunities, services, support, infrastructure, etc. that facilitates my daily life, success, & beliefs about the world & what is normal / worthy -- supports my daily life -- "Doors Open" = "doors are just open for me" 4. Cultural level = we have examples of people who are LIKE US ; we are the 'center of the story' ; being the "hero" of history ; being recognized & legitimated in group identity & personal choices ; hearing about your group in a positive way -- your culture recognizes you as one of them If we feel like EVERYONE should have access to these things in the cultural background -- it would be an unearned entitlement The point is NOT to take away from certain groups
examples of oppression
1. personal level = feeling as if i have to doubt my perceptions if they conflict with others - take into account others feelings, needs, & views above my own - question my worth or normalcy - belonging [internalized...ism] - may not even apply for job / school because of feeling defeated - prioritize dominant groups - constantly assessing their feelings/perceptions ------ what do they need? How do I dance with that? - "we don't think we belong" - so we don't ask for more money, we don't apply for that job, etc. 2. interpersonal level = from the actions of others - when interacting with others, if I don't have privilege, I may be treated as a stereotype/asked to speak for/represent your entire group - experience verbal harassment, physical violence, or the threat of such - being denied employment by individual employers/opportunities/treatment by individual doctors - actions interpreted negatively no matter what I do -- ex. women on the job - constantly contradicted & silenced 3. structural / institutional level = fewer opportunities - being denied employment, financial aid, or equal treatment because of institutional policies - being subject to excess surveillance, & punitive action by police & courts - being denied employment, but also looked down upon if apply for assistance - DAMNED IF YOU DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON'T 4. cultural level = a. denial of culture b. distortion of events / history (erasing members / experiences) c. silencing & invisibility of groups d. negative symbolism (certain characteristics associated with them carry broader negative connotations) e. scapegoating of groups f. blaming the victim g. tokenism ("see, they made it" - the Oprah defense) also = sometimes being offered opportunities so that the dominant org. / group can say "theres no problem here, look @ ____" -- used as "PROOF" that there is no inequality
Status Hierarchy System
1/4 of the Ideal types of Stratification Based on Social Prestige!! - prestige can be linked to diff things (just not economic) - occupation, lifestyle, or membership in certain organizations --- ex. age status (most sociologists study occupational status) - SHOULD turn its focus onto Social Media: -- the status hierarchy system is based on followers & likes -- the stuff that gets you economic rewards
Estate System
1/4 of the Ideal types of Stratification assigned status @ birth very little social mobility political justifications played into pre-civil war -- particularly in the south and feudal Europe SIMILAR to the Caste System
Class System
1/4 of the Ideal types of Stratification economically based system of stratification - categories based on your role in the production system - economic indicators & relationship to the means of production relative categorization and somewhat loose social mobility - believes in social mobility - less dependence on hereditary factors PROLETAIAT VS BORGEOISE - Karl MARX & Conflict Theory
Caste System
1/4 of the Ideal types of Stratification religion based - religious justifications no social mobility - assigned status at birth - stuck where you were born - your status is reflective of your parents dependence on hereditary factors SIMILAR to the Estate System
Haratio Alger stories
19th Century novels that portray myth --> that you could go from "rags to riches" STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE "Dime Books" - extremely popular in the US SUCCESS STORIES = - basic plot with variations in each -- but in each one you knew what was going to happen - standard tensions with HAPPY ENDINGs - MORAL = if you start from very humble beginnings, you will have challenges, BUT if you value hard work and have good morals (ex. don't drink) you will GET AHEAD POP. TITLES = - "risen from the ranks" ; "rags to riches" ; "strive and succeed" ; "only an Irish boy" ; "slow and sure" ; "struggle upward" Reflects ETHIC STRATIFICATION - ex. "only an Irish boy" -- at this time, rise were considered different race than white Americans -- faced great deal of discrimination --- "even the humble beginnings of an Irish boy can succeed" POPULAR IN THE US BECAUSE = US tend to be really interested in individual explanations for things -- we want to say that there is something within the individual - 19th century - based on individual characteristics - these ideas translated into the 20th century -- but added cultural characteristics --ex. cultural settings holding group back
According to YMAY ch 7, what percent of the world's wealth is owned by what percent of the world's population?
50% of wealth owned by 6% of population
The Politics of the Family & Stranger Danger by Paul Renfro
80's saw a rise in crime - Neoliberal state High profile cases of missing children -- Etan Patz Threats come from outside the family Overstated statistics Caused a stereotype of especially gay men as predators - Sexual/ gender liberation was blamed as part of the problem Why was this? - To 'shore up' the idea of a heteronormative family - To blame women's entrance into the workforce as a reason for the rise in crime
Social Construction of categories & identities
A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE - looks @ phenomenon that other sociologists might "take for granted" (others study the consequences of categories & identities but NOT the reasons for the development of them) Focus: where categories emerge from historical context & power dynamics Starting Assumption: these categories are SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED !! - we "made them up" ; "defined them in language" -- Just because it is made up does not mean it does not matter --- the CONSEQUENCES are REAL - Broadly considered under symbolic interactionism VARIOUS STARTING ASSUMPTIONS = A. Categories exist in language ~continuous variations exist in "NATURE" -- ex. male/female ; dog/cat - When human beings INVENT categories, they like them to be "MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE" -- distant & exhaustive. ---- meaning = a good category is when you can only belong to one of the categories + in LANGUAGE = distinct, neat, fitting categories ---- allows us to describe our world & shapes our world + in NATURE = graduations of categories -- we tend to impose our categories on the variations within nature -- Nature = where continuous variations exist B. Categories & meanings are historically & culturally specific that vary across time & space -- Categories & their associated meaning inform & justify distribution - there can be similarities between cultures BUT you cannot assume that the same behavior & characteristics will be labeled in the same way in different cultures and during different historical periods + Categories = inventions of particular historical and cultural conditions C. Our experiences of our bodies, desires, & capacities is mediated through culture !! ~primarily through language !! -- Ableism = our experiences of very physical things are mediated through culture -- definitions of ability --- because we experience our bodies through the lens of culture -- primarily through language + Categories shape our ability to interpret our experience (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis) + Language -- allows us to describe our world but also shapes our experience of it. D. What identities are available & what they mean is a product of ongoing political & social negotiations -- Identities = social & political products / activities rooted in power & interaction E. These meanings inform & justify distribution of resources in society ~ they matter!!! ~ and are crucial to understanding & addressing inequality & freedom -- Yes we made it up & IT MATTERS.
socioeconomic status (SES)
A division of population based on occupation, income, and education. - any measure that attempts to classify groups, individuals, families, or households in terms of indicators such as occupation, income, wealth, &/or education -- sometimes includes Net Worth US = everyone considers themselves as middle class income vs wealth
Sociologists Definition of RACISM
ATTITUDES, IDEAS, + PRACTICES that MAINTAIN or REPRODUCE a System of STRUCTURAL ADVANTAGE BASED on RACE. IF THE OUTCOME RESULTS IN STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY, then Sociologists CALL IT RACISM. ~ DO NOT care about individuals INTERNAL MOTIVATIONS, but the OUTCOME of those motivations. THINKING backed up with POWER & ACTIONS. -- where ACTIONS have CONSEQUENCES.
The NEW KINDS of RACISM
As OVERT RACISM DECLINES, Scholars are beginning to find traces of a new kind of racism gaining ground... + Replacement of BIOLOGY with CULTURE & presumes that there is something FIXED, INNATE, & INFERIOR (deficient) about NON-WHITE CULTURAL VALUES. COLOR-BLIND RACISM = The view that racial inequality is PERPETUATED by a supposedly Color-Blind Stance the ends up REINFORCING HISTORICAL and CONTEMPORARY INEQUALITIES, DISPARATE IMPACT, & INSTITUTIONAL BIAS by "IGNORING" them in FAVOR of a TECHNICAL NEUTRAL APPROACH. ~ shows up in LEGISLATION & other political rhetoric + Argue that we have racism in our society because we are "paying attention to race" ~ so we need to ignore the historical & structural discrepancies, and instead take a more NEUTRAL APPROACH... ISSUES: A) IGNORES this "UNEQUAL STARTING POINT" B) IGNORES these very very real experiences. C) Has a very NEUTRAL RHETORIC -- yet it ERASES the experiences of people of color. RECENT EXAMPLE: The response to BLACK LIVES MATTER with "ALL LIVES MATTER" ~ Underlaying point = under this "all lives matter" -- Black lives DON'T. ~ CLAIMING that the UNIVERSAL ERASES the SPECIFIC EXPERIENCES INSTEAD: it is only when we CONSCIOUSLY and DIRECTLY CONSIDER the lives who have been TARGETED by POLICE VIOLENCE & other forms of STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE, that we can then say "all lives matter." RESULTS in CONSEQUENCES and/or OUTCOMES that are "LESS than IDEAL for our society" ~ If we want our society to REFLECT the AMERICAN VALUES of EQUALITY ... + How do we get there?? + How does society transform or change in a way that we are given a say on how it turns out? EX. "STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE" = Brunch, believing in a different religion than parents, etc. ~ Some elements that EXPOSE this "FLAVOR" OF WHITENESS ~ upper middle-class-ness. ~ Exposes that race & class can be COLLAPSED ~ even SATIRICALLY.
ANCIENT GREEK Sex Categorization
Ashmolean Museum University of Oxford (ymay). - piece of Ancient Greek art - two male bodies ~ "genital play" Essentialised interpretation of sexuality = homosexuality - assumes that sexual desire and behavior is rooted in the body -- desires pre-exist before cultural meanings and social expectations - Thinking based only on the two categories of Homo & Hetero + Social Constructionists = "This is at a particular time and place with its own categories and own meanings" -- Picture is from a time when there were NO CATEGORIES -- they did not exist in language until the 19th century + The first word that arose was in a PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSIS = "HETEROSEXUALITY" -- if you were someone who identified as a heterosexual, it meant that you had a psychiatric diagnosis -- there was something WRONG with you -- meant you had MORBID SEXUAL DESIRE for someone of the other gender + MORBID = associated with death ; meant that you wanted to have sex with the other gender but you did not want to have babies -- SEX FOR PLEASURE NOT FOR PROCREATION + When they noticed that people wanted to have sex with the same gender could NOT MAKE BABIES --> now "HOMOSEXUALITY" as also being a MORBID SEXUAL DESIRE -- "Homosexuality" = term arose after discovering "sick heterosexuals" + The gender of your sex partner did not really say anything about your categorization -- they did not have rules governing sex between particular genders + BUT they DID have RULES governing SEX between CITIZENS & NON-CITIZENS -- important category for determining who is an eligible sex partner CITIZEN = A Free white male OF AGE - who could participate in GOV processes -- entitled to the bodies of all non-citizens NON-CITIZEN = appropriate sex partners -- "Fair Game" as a sex partner for a Citizen - included: women, non-free individuals, and young men (before they were of age and could participate in political activity). IDEAL BODY = MALE BODY Pre-Citizen Young Male & Older Male Citizen = an appropriate HETEROSEXUAL encounter - under the meaning system of socially significant categories sunder that particular culture at that particular time "HETERO - DIFFERENT CATEGORIES" SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONISTS = emphasize that is it inappropriate and can lead to a false understanding of situations IF we try to apply OUR categories and understandings on a different culture or historical period -- other understandings This is EVIDENCE for SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONISTS -- shows the importance of meaning and the flexibility of sexual desire and the assignment of gender
How is the stratification system maintained?
BELIEFS & IDEOLOGIES - which justify the arrangements & distribution of resources
Sociological Imagination
C. Wright Mills the ability to see the connections between our personal experience (biography) and the larger social forces (history) "Both the correct statement of the problem and the range of possible solutions require us to consider the economic and political institutions of the society, and not merely the personal situation and character of a scatter of individuals" (Mills 1959) Influences how we think about solving problems Personal trouble (Seeing a problem as influenced by an individual's personal and moral failings) --> Public Issue (Seeing a problem as influenced by social structures and forces)
Proletariat vs. Bourgeoisie + Marx's Critique
CLASS SYSTEM = Karl Marx & Conflict Theory Proletariat (working class) who sells labor to the Bourgeoisie (capitalist class) who owns the means of productions = the goods/services that make MONEY Marx's Critique = usually the working class winds up bearing the brunt of any instability in the economic system - bear the risk but do not reap the rewards OTHERS response = the Bourgeoisie REAP the risks & rewards because even though they risk their own capital expenditure to build a factory -- they are entitled to have more of a share
RACIALIZATION
CREATING DIFFERENCES & DISTANCE between groups of people through the INVENTION of CATEGORIES & MEANINGS of CULTURAL TRAITS that are then ASSOCIATED with PHYSICAL or INHERENT DIFFERENCES. + Due to the HIERARCHY of those Racial Categories + Leads us to the process by which people / groups of people can become RACIALIZED. RACIALIZATION = Inherently Different Q. HOW do we INVENT NEW RACIAL CATEGORIES?!?!? A. The process known as OTHERING. OTHERING = difference with DISDAIN & DANGER + Creating those differences with disdain ; your different & less than & dangerous Classic Examples Provided by Sociologists: 1. MUSLIMS in the US = cultural & religious group that has been RACIALIZED over the course of the last 20 yrs BECAUSE they are CULTURALLY & RELIGIOUSLY DIFFERENT from the MAINSTREAM US Groups -- US = they are "inherently dangerous & different" 2. IRISH Immigrants in the US = that "Irish Immigrants are a different race" ; considered NON-WHITE (also in Europe) -- British JUSTIFICATION for colonizing Ireland and their terrible treatment towards them EVEN WHITENESS was seen as a process of RACIALIZATION for WHITE to SEE THEMSELVES as WHITE ~ To DISTANCE from other groups.
. Qualitative Research
Collects information about the social world that cannot be converted to numeric form Meanings participants ascribe to the world and/or mechanisms by which social processes occur Lived experience, personal experience, understanding, meaning, and stories. Types of Data Collection: 1. Interviews = Researchers asks about certain themes and the interview can change course depending on what the person has to say 2. Participant-observation = Engages in everyday life and takes notes in a particular social setting 3. Ethnography = Usually, a mix of interviewing and participant-observation - Spends a long period of time to gain depth of understanding 4. Content analysis = Analyzes documents or media for patterns in words, phrases, images etc. 5. Historical methods = Usually analyzes documents to collect info about events in the past LIMITATIONS: 1. time consuming 2. May not be able to get access to a particular kind of group 3. Not generalizable in the same way as quant (theories and processes generalizable) 4. Can be difficult for the researcher emotionally
Prison Industrial Complex - Clips from documentary 13th
Connect to history deviance is socially constructed what is considered as deviant changes across time who is labeled deviant works to benefit some and harm others
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: Getting the Movement INSIDE & People OUTSIDE
Creating ENTHUSIASM + COMMITMENT INSIDE the participants so that they can then go OUTSIDE and participate in the campaign. FRAME RESONANCE [one way to achieve this] = Deep connection between MOVEMENT'S FRAME of MEANING and the EXPERIENCE / EMOTIONS / COGNITIONS of members & potential recruits. ~ Get that MESSAGE OUT!! [Social Media has greatly contributed to their rising popularity] ~ Successful Frame Resonance = "speaking my language" ; "they understand the world the same way that I do" Like an ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN; Branding, Logos, Martyrs, + [sacred] Places ~ BRANDED in a particular way ~ Martyrs = HEROS = set up examples of why the campaign needs to succeed; why the grievances are clear + justified; there is something larger at stake; OR social change for someone who has fallen. Conveyed through STORYTELLING: ~ GOOD STORIES = Metaphors, Horror Stories, & War Stories [fortifying myths] -- Photographs, Documentaries, Films, etc. -- Horror Stories = worst case scenarios that we are trying to prevent -- War Stories = FORTIFYING MYTHS told by Participants = "something really terrible happened but it proves how committed and strong we are -- bringing us all back together" -- Where bad things happen to bring people together [can be a motivating and energizing principle ; turning point for social benefits] + These stories come from a variety of experiences, but are used to get a particular message across & to resonate
US thoughts on Meritocracy
Definition goes against US values & principles about the ways society "should" rank HOWEVER: both US & Meritocracy have the consistent idea that there IS a ranking system that is consistent in society Most US citizens do not believe in this -- - contrasts Americans views on what the preferred ways of distributing resources are
What would an EQUITABLE society look life?
Depends on WHO you ask. (1) AMERICAN IDEOLOGY = a. equal respect b. equal treatment under the law -- rules of the game are the same c. equal opportunity / condition -- equal starting point + DIFFERENCES arise as a result of MERITOCRACY: people rewarded on the basis of individual ability & hard work - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION = not the same as equal opportunity ; it is getting the "word out" affirmatively - aims to represent the pop with all aspects considered BUT does not guarantee equality of starting point nor condition (2) ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUNISM = a. equality of outcome ("leveling of outcomes") -- rules ensure everyone winds up with the same (or nearly the same) -- everyone needs are provided for through gov policies --ex. taxation/regulation - SOCIALISM = leveling through providing a lower supporting safety net -- no falling through - COMMUNISM = when it shifted to more capitalist economy -- inequality skyrocketed (3) ASSOCIATED WITH CONFLICT THEORIES = a. equitable outcomes -- require unequal / "preferential" conditions / treatment - Holistic view! -- "even the playing field"
CONFLICT THEORY on RACIAL INEQUALITY
ESSENTIALLY = RACISM IS GOOD FOR THE RICH!!!!! A. Dividing the working class through RACISM ~ SERVES the OWNERS INTERESTS + Because it forces the working class to work together for their common interests ~ especially if WHITES are with OWNING. B. GROUP COMPETITION for RESOURCES in a society C. See WHITE SUPREMACY as a TOOL for a DISTRACTION ~ Workers share a common disadvantage in society + Gives "FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS" that PREVENTS WORKER UNIT & REVOLUTION -- "False Consciousness" in WHITE workers to CONSOLIDATE & KEEP their POWER. D. STRUCTURED DISADVANTAGE = Maintains the "UNDERCLASS" who must work under the LEAST DESIRABLE jobs for LOWER WAGES = Thus, KEEPING ALL WAGES LOWER. ~ Intentionally kept out of the livable occupations.
Expanding on the 2 class model (& the class model critique)
Erik Olin Wright = past class model had contradictory class locations. - idea that people can occupy locations in the class structure that fall BETWEEN the 2 "pure" classes defined by Marx - mix of both OUTCOME = those who are exploited by the class system can support it and agree with it because there is some way in which we are benefiting from it
Glass Ceilings, Glass Escalators
Glass Ceilings = an invisible limit on women's climb up the occupational ladder + upper limit that women can't seem to get past. KANTER = argues that this is due to a cultural conflation of authority with masculinity + Symbolic Interactionist Approach -- We CONFLATE the meaning of AUTHORITY w/ masculine characteristics in our society + If a women does exhibit LEADERSHIP or AUTHORITY = deemed UN-FEMININE & thus, NEGATIVELY VALUED when a women exerts it. BUT...... when a man exhibits it, they are applauded, rewarded, maybe even promoted. Glass Escalator = the accelerated promotion of men to the top of a work organization, especially in feminized jobs + when men are in women dominated positions and they are engaging in these kinds of behaviors that we think just come "naturally" to women, they are APPLAUDED & REWARDED for them. Reflects this trend we see when we analyze promotion and different levels of income -- even within an occupation we can see that men rise to the top rather quickly in these feminized jobs especially. SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONIST = would say that language of things coming "NATURALLY" tends to have us DE-VALUED for the work that goes into it -- UNLESS if a Man does it.... EX. Nursing.
According to lecture and YMAY ch 7, one category of social stratification is called the elite-mass dichotomy. C. Wright Mills and other conflict theorists see this consolidation of power among a small number of institutions and leaders as
Harmful to the interests of the masses
INCOME vs WEALTH
Income is assets EARNED while wealth is assets already OWNED. INCOME = $ received by person/work/transfers/returns on investments -- "RENT" -- ex: gifts, inheritance, gov assistance WEALTH = NET WORTH ; family / individuals net worth -- "OWNING HOUSE" -- the stuff we own that is worth something -- ex. comic book collection NET WORTH = total assets - total debts
According to lecture, which of the following statements best represents the structural-functionalist perspective on stratification?
Inequality exists in society so that the most qualified people are properly motivated to fill important roles.
RACISM: What is it!?!?
Is it a PSYCHOLOGICAL DISEASE or a SOCIAL PLAGUE? U.S. SOCIOLOGISTS = Racism is more embedded in STRUCTURE ~ which can get INTO US through SOCIALIZATION of NORMS & through the USE of LANGUAGE which ENFORCES racist notions. ~ Sociologists are always looking for "that" advantage that is embedded in "those" structures. DAVID WELLMAN = "A SYSTEM of ADVANTAGE ~ Based on RACE." + CONNECTION to PRIVILEGE!!!! ~ For Privileged = Our WHEELS are GREASED in the machinery of life because of our RACIAL CATEGORY ~~ White people do not have to OVERTLY EMBRACE racist ideas/actions in order to benefit from a structure that advantages us simply by our race!!!! ~~~~ Can yield feelings of DEFENSIVENESS. A. EASIER to think about RACISM as MERE PREJUDICE: ~ The U.S. likes INDIVIDUAL BASED EXPLANATIONS ~ As prejudice resulting from certain attitudes and ideas of people B. EASIER to think about DISADVANTAGES then PRIVILEGE: ~ Focussing on "solving disadvantage" is easier than "well what do we do if we actually do benefit from this system of privilege?" ~ People do not want to give up anything ; would rather solve disadvantage than ask themselves "what did I get that I don't deserve?" THINKING backed up with POWER & ACTIONS. -- where ACTIONS have CONSEQUENCES. LOCATED in STRUCTURE & CULTURE that GETS INSIDE OF US. ~ Thus, we should examine it and become responsible for it.
Structural Functionalist Perspective on Stratification & Inequality
Key idea/claim = society's main parts (institutions, norms, traditions, etc.) mesh to produce a stable, working whole that evolves - if something is persistent in society, it must serve some purpose -- otherwise it would have faded away - society has many parts & evolves slowly overt time if it is good working order STRATIFICATION = reflects differences in ability, fitness, &/or effort -- those who have more -- "because they are better" -- idea of a meritocracy DIFFERENTIAL REWARDS are NECESSARY to MOTIVATE the best qualified to fulfill the most important roles -- "pay out" for being "better" -- EXPLOITATION = associated with cultural theories of social inequality and more individual based explanations -- the thinking that is around in the US -- peaked in the 19th century -- if someone is @ the bottom of the hierarchy -- "they just don't value to train themselves / their behaviors to help them get ahead in society"
according to the canvas reading on Making Systems of Privilege, which of the following statements is true?
Language can maintain the invisibility of privilege
symbolic interactions perspective on gender
Looking @ Gender from a FACE-TO-FACE, EVERYDAY LEVEL KEY WORDS = Meanings, Learning, & Interaction. A. How the CONCEPT of Gender & its MEANINGS are CREATED & MAINTAINED in our EVERYDAY SOCIAL INTERACTIONS B. Learned through SOCIALIZATION. + Socialization = an interactive process + Focuses on the kinds of EXPERIENCES that we have (especially in EARLY LIFE ; school) and PROCESSES that turn out this thing we recognize as men and women + Including how these processes SET US UP with certain TENDENCIES & CAPACITIES which then lead to later DECISIONS and BEHAVIORS --- which may further reinforce INEQUALITY C. FOCUS on "DOING GENDER" = how it is ACCOMPLISHED & EXPRESSED in INTERACTION + GENDER as a PROCESS -- How we do gender. + we perform our gender in particular ways that get us recognized as the category that we want to be interacted with as + THUS: We may be ASSIGNED SEX @ BIRTH, BUT as we grow and develop, we have to CREATE a PERSONA & PERFORMANCE that gets us RECOGNIZED the way we WANT to be. Gender becomes not just an IDENTITY or SOCIAL STATUS, but also an ONGOING PROCESS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT!! + Where we are continually recognized as (or not recognized as) by the CATEGORY that we CHOOSE to identify as D. Focus on how INEQUALITIES are CREATED, REFLECTED and MAINTAINED ~ through LANGUAGE & INTERACTION & MEANINGS that are associated with PERCEIVED DIFFERENCES & CATEGORIES. + In our everyday interactions + THIS then CREATES this IDEA that REINFORCES what we see as DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENDER CATEGORIES
Conflict / Critical Perspective on Gender Inequality
Looking for CONFLICT, TENSION, COMPETING INTERESTS, etc. "WHY DOES THIS EXIST? because it serves the ruling class and maintains social order." See Men & Women as having COMPETING INTERESTS ~ AKA "pitted" against each other in an INDUSTRIAL CAPITALIST SOCIETY BECAUSE = they are REDUCED to COMPETING WAGE EARNERS. --> SOLIDIFYING POWER into the hands of the OWNING/RULING CLASS. -- This serves owning/ruling class interests to keep workers alienated from one another (whether it is working inside or outside the home) + CONFLICT Theory still SEES us as WORKERS or OWNERS PATRIARCHY (Male Privilege) in CAPITALISM reduces women to another form of property that even the poorest man can own (if you convince women they want or need that) -- institution of marriage = institution that reduced women to another form of property Because "even the poorest man can own women as property" = these poor men identify with the owners/ruling classes in the ownership/management of women within the Family within Institutions of Marriage --- Generating a sense of FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS for poor men + As sovietes emerge, women began to gain more rights (property) and more economic activities ... "You kinda gotta convince the women now that THEY want to buy into this as well" -- There also may be other kinds fo structural conditions that channel women or influence women into still participating in these kinds of GENDERED RELATIONSHIPS that SERVE the RULING CLASS & ECONOMIC INTERESTS ---- ex. weddings -- billion dollar industry Restricting women's economic opportunities enforces their dependence on men (fathers and husbands -one man away from poverty) and provides a labor market for reproductive labor (unpaid or low paid household labor and childbearing) + LOWER WAGES, FEWER OPPORTUNITIES, difficulty finding CHILD CARE, etc. These RESTRICTIONS lead to GENDER INEQUALITY & Gender Inequality exists because it serves the ruling classes interests + "Want to stay out of poverty? You NEED MEN."
Non Working Poor
Many work part-time, have bad health or lack skills or confidence, opportunities - often unemployed / seasonally employed ; no property ; little/no/negative net worth -- Can be situational or long term
RACIST vs RACISM
May or may not be CORRELATED ~ no DIRECT correlation between them. Being a part of the perpetuation of racism = knowing that your role perpetuates structural inequality. LOCATED in STRUCTURE & CULTURE that GETS INSIDE OF US. ~ Thus, we should examine it and become responsible for it.
Transience and the Postmodern Self: The Geographic Mobility of Resort WorkersPatricia Adler and Peter Adler
Modernist "self as a genuine, real attribute, as reflexive, self-conscious, rational, and therefore autonomous." Postmodernist "self.. as an illusion, evoked situationally, but adapted and fragmented, emotionally flat and depthless" - Do we buy this? (Adler & Adler's Q)
Case Study: Stop and Frisk policy implemented under New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration
Policy was to stop anyone who 'looked suspicious' Resulted in 85% of the persons being stopped being people of color Of those stopped only .01% had anything to do with violent crime However, many of those stopped were indicted for petty crimes and misdemeanors (possession charges) TAKEAWAYS: 1. Young black and white men report consuming drugs at similar rates 2. If police are targeting a specific group of people, then there are going to be more cases of possession of illegal substances 3. When you look at a statistic, consider how that evidence was gathered.
WORKING CLASS
Proletariat -- A social class broadly composed of people working in blue-collar, or manual, occupations. - class-employed - often in vulnerable situations & low-paying jobs ; no property ; none/negative net worth ; can slip under the poverty line due to various life events -ex. getting sick "The Working Poor"
Definitions of Race
RACE = A SALIENT & IMPORTANT SOCIAL CATEGORY When sociologists look @ race, they find that there are SEVERAL DIMENSION that we could use. Common Characteristics of the Sociological Definitions: 1. Physicality aspect to it ("perceived common physical characteristics") 2. Social Definition / Perception part of it ("Distinct by virtue" ; "in social relations with others" ; "different from other groups by virtue") + Sociologists definitions are NOT saying that there is any real/inherent/universal set of characteristics that define distinct categories -- INSTEAD: they argue that race is a SOCIAL DEFINITION!!! --- it is the CREATION of these SOCIALLY RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES -- on the basis of perceived physical differences (which caries and is fairly arbitrary) RACE -- Fairly RECENT invention in human history
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM on RACIAL INEQUALITY
RACIAL IDENTITY FORMATION ; FACE-TO-FACE Q. How does our racial identity come to be woven into a sense of ourselves? A. INTERNALIZED RACISM and the SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS of RACISM ~ How the racist beliefs / values get INSIDE the people and how it impacts those people A. Racism is in our EVERYDAY INTERACTIONS ; MICRO-AGGRESSIONS. ~ How people are made to feel unworthy / not belonging / unwanted by the little things that show up in the environment -- The things SAID & DONE in daily interactions which the BECOME a PART OF the STRUCTURED INEQUALITY
Structural Functional Perspective on Gender Inequality
REMEMBER: STRATIFICATION - when stratification goes awry & resources get distributed on the basis of group membership, leads to INEQUALITY -- differences between these categories of gender -- normative, cisgender, and gender deviance -- are INTERSECTIONALITY !!! "Why do we have gender differences?" = Because it is necessary for society to run smoothly. "GENDERED - DIVISION OF LABOR" = Structural functionalists term for gender stratification or gender inequality A. Effective division of labor - especially for child rearing + system for assigning certain tasks/resources to their recognized genders in a society -- simply makes for an "effective distribution of labor" -- ESPECIALLY when it comes to REPRODUCTION of the citizens B. Outcome of men doing the dangerous or necessary tasks and so necessary to motivate them to do so + functional to assign men to do these "dangerous & necessary" jobs -- to get men to do so = must MOTIVATE them BY having appropriate rewards (Ex. pay more). PARSON'S SEX ROLE THEORY = assumes gender differences exist to fulfill necessary societal functions ----- does not allow for the possibility that other structures could fulfill the same function or that structure changes throughout history + ARGUMENT = we generate meanings, categories, differences ~ between genders in order to fulfill the necessary outcomes in order to motivate the people to fulfill their roles LIMITATION of this theory = the assumption that it must be this way because it is the only way to do it (common critique of this theory) -- Assumes that because something is done in a particular way in society that it NEEDS to be done that way. - doesn't acknowledge that there are other ways of doing this which could have resulted in different inequalities -- or even LESS inequalities
TOOLS for TRANSFORMATION
REMEMBER: The GOOD news / BAD news about the SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE = If you do not like the way society is, the option is to speak about it and/or to act differently. Claim in SOCIAL CONSTRICTION = Everything that we DON'T SAY or DO ~ we are still serving to MAINTAIN / TRANSFORM the SOCIAL WORLD we live in. --- INDIVIDUAL + COLLECTIVE ACTIONS can CHANGE the WORLD. WHAT CAN I DO!?!?!? #1 SELF KNOWLEDGE + SELF-REFLECTION = powerful first step in being an effective agent for social change. #2 EDUCATION + ABILITY to SEE THROUGH MULTIPLE LENSES -- Being able to discern elements of truth from sources -- Being able to understand people [ex. When talking about ideas] ; SHIFTING in order to have a FULLER + COMPREHENSIVE understanding of a situation. #3 COMMUNICATION SKILLS = A) Writing & Speaking to DIVERSE AUDIENCES in THEIR "LANGUAGE" = based in standards of evidence, argument, + agreement ; "speaking into their listening" B) LISTENING: For what IS & what IS NOT SAID = sometimes the most important or telling things come from wha tis NOT said in a conversation [ex. not talking about sexuality] C) SELF-EXPRESSION + CREATIVITY: Find your VOICE/MEDIUM & PARTICIPATE = When you tap into your gift/mode of self-expression, you are at your greatest ability for social change ; impact the world. #4 CONNECTION + COMMUNITY: We are MOST effective when we come TOGETHER [sum greater than its parts] A) COMPASSION!!! = connection of compassion; being able to connect to another persons experience of oppression/inequality & not seeing it as "someone else's problem" but as ALL OF OUR PROBLEM [When there is a problem in our society, we are not at our best] B) COOPERATION!!! = coming together to cooperate towards a common means + to work together ; a major tool that works its way into much LARGER things -- Social Change! C) COLLECTIVE ACTION!!! = working together through collective action is something we are all capable of ; compassion and cooperation are both things that human beings can develop ; LEARN TO CONNECT & DEVELOP.
Origins of the IDEA of Race
Recent invention in human history -- from a variety of situations. A. Came about as a result of CONTACT with OTHER human populations through exploration & the imitation of trade/occupation of new land by these Western European nation state representatives. -- "Crazy Ideas" from interacting with people in other locations. ~ Still mostly about CIVILIZED & UNCIVILIZED ; CHRISTIAN & HEATHEN. B. END of the 18th CENTURY = Race as a DISTINCT CATEGORY of Human Being. + From patterns of relations established that involved COLONIZATION, OCCUPATION, SLAVERY, GENOCIDE, etc. + EMERGING in WRITING, PRACTICE, & LAW. PRIME MOTIVATOR = SLAVERY + historians argue that slavery is the prime motivator for the INVENTION of WHITENESS as a DISTINCT CATEGORY. WHITENESS = the racial category that emerged in PRIMACY ; invention of what it is to be white ~ where there then is this "other" that is less than. C. Accepted HIERARCHY. + Reinforced primarily through the SYSTEM of SCIENCE ( and partially Religion ) -- SCIENTIFIC RACISM = the principles of science & biology were used to JUSTIFY the UNEQUAL TREATMENT of people in these newly recognized categories. ---- JUSTIFICATION for RACISM, COLONIZATION, & OCCUPATION. ~ Slavery = "something you and your descendants we're never going to be free of." D. 19th CENTURY = CATEGORIES + "WHITE" = 1st racial category to emerge -- In US, WHITE was synonymous with ENGLISH ---- ENGLISH & NON-ENGLISH + Along with the rise in the importance of WHITENESS & NON-WHITENESS... AKA = The doctrine of Manifest Destiny E. Concept of WHITENESS RISES with the CONCEPT of WHITE SUPREMACY + Essentially = just by certain physical characteristics ; even became divorced from characteristics and religion -- SIMPLY by virtue of physical characteristics -- especially COLOR. Ex. Treaties ~ no rights for land
"Jezebel at the Welfare Office" by N. Tatiana Masters et. Al
Researchers sat in on interviews with welfare workers and clients Racialized/gendered stereotypes surrounding welfare and sexuality - Immoral "Jezebel," focused on sexual fulfillment without responsibility; - "welfare queen" who tricked the state into supporting her and her children - "matriarchs" who abandoned marriage in favor of asserting dominance within the family; - "Mammies" who bore children only to neglect them. Version of a good Mother is class/ race based Structural constrains ignored
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS = MACRO-LEVEL CHANGE
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS = INTENTIONAL SOCIAL CHANGE brought about FROM HUMANS ~ Human Action. ~ CONSCIOUSLY ORGANIZED [designed] ATTEMPTS OUTSIDE of ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS to ENHANCE or RESIST CHANGE ~ THROUGH GROUP ACTION. Components of a Social Movement: 1) Focused on a COMMON INTEREST ~ may involve participants from diverse groups that have a common goal / interest 2) Most COMMON in INDUSTRIAL or POST-INDUSTRIAL Societies where there are DIVERSE GROUPS that ADVOCATE for their OWN GOALS & INTERESTS ~ In Service/Technological based societies ~ Hard to do in AGRARIAN Societies [everything is spread out; didn't have the communication devices for being more connected] 3) Most Social Movements are INSTIGATED by folks OUTSIDE of the POWER STRUCTURE 4) Usually they will STIMULATE COUNTER-MOVEMENTS [movements AGAINST the GOALS of the ORIGINAL MOVEMENT] ~ For every action there is an equal and opposed reaction = "What you RESIST PERSISTS" = When you go against something/oppose it, it SOLIDIFIES IT & gives it some WEIGHT. . ~ THUS: Suggested that Social Movements should be DESIGNED around CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE rather than OPPOSING THEM. 5) Social Movements GENERATE & GAIN their MOMENTUM through WORD-OF-MOUTH from SOCIAL NETWORKS and/or IDEOLOGICAL APPEALS and/or EMOTIONAL BONDS + IDENTIFICATION. ~ Recruiting people into the social movement is crucial ~ spreading the word; join if interested; start telling friends about it.
The Relative Social Prestige of Selected US Occupations
STATUS HIERARCHY SYSTEM Traditional questionnaire = asks you to asses the prestige of certain US occupations on a scale from 1-100 - way of ranking people in society based on their occupational groups prestige ranking -Blue Collar or White Collar Occupation?? --> blue collar = tend to be more of manual labor / lower skilled --> white collar = requires some more amount of education / professional skills / training FINDINGS= don't correlate with income!! - into the 90s = the prestige scores correlated with the amount of education necessary to fulfill the job -- NOT the case now - NOW = US has high levels of status inconsistency between prestige & income levels -- EXAMPLES: 1. Nurses vs Secondary School Teachers vs Realtor = nurses & teachers have SAME prestige score but Nurses have higher income score -- Realtor makes more money than both but has a lower prestige score 2. lawyers keep going down on prestige score (has been happening over time) even though education remains the same
Quantitative Research
Seeks to obtain information about the social world that is already in or can be converted to numeric form Statistics and hypothesis testing Data collection: surveys, existing datasets Generalizable (samples smaller group to make statements about larger population) Researchers use this method when = seeking to understand broad patterns & trends ex. impacts of some event/social phenomenon on health, income, etc. LIMITATIONS: 1. General trends rather than detailed or deep 2. Surveys cannot ask for more description or explanation 3. Categories might not reflect lived experience
Conflict Theory - Deviance
Social power plays a role in determining who or what is considered deviant. Label of deviant is wielded as a weapon, used to preserve the domination of powerful groups
Conflict Theory
Society = competition for limited resources KEY IDEA = conflict between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general - "how is power distributed? How is it wielded in society? For whose interest? How does this relate to the distribution of resources? Rooted in ideas of KARL MARX & the views of social world through the sense of Group conflict over resources MARX = struggle for economic resources is the source of social change -- looking at how the constant struggle for control over economic resources (capital) = the source of changes in society overtime -- STABILITY is MAINTAINED through DOMINATION & POWER -- NOT CONSENSUS ---- "we may not be happy about tit but we may not be able to do anything about tit due to the distribution of power"
Elite-mass Dichotomy System
Sociologists 5th ideal type C. WRIGHT MILLS = "power elite" Governing Elite = a few leaders who broadly hold power in society - notion that in a society, there are the elites (those with control) and then there are "the rest of us" CONFLICTING VIEWS: Pareto vs Mills PARETO = Positive view of the elite - mass dichotomy is a natural outcome -- beneficial - society is best when power is concentrated in a few - grants them access to resources - Beneficial = attracts the most qualified to tase positions - STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALIST take - believes in meritocracy ; argues against aristocrats - ideal gov = combination of foxes & lions - Elite status = people who are rewarded for talent which made them rise through the ranks of society -- EARNED MILLS = Negative view of the elite - mass dichotomy system = neither natural nor beneficial for society - Elites = those who had easiest access --> advantaged to start with because of PARENTS or SOCIAL NETWORKS ; they are not in their positions because they are able or because of their work - Gov shapes modern life -- and in turn make the "lesser" institutions into their (powerful) ends - CONFLICT THEORY - Believes = few governing / having all the power centralized HURTS democracy by consolidating the power -- letting the major decisions in the hands/interest of the few (who were handed their position and no qualified) - HIS THREE MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL FORCES: (1) economic institutions, (2) political power, (3) military order
Conflict Perspective on Stratification & Inequality
System supports the HAVES -- further concentrating wealth & power --- notion of the ELITE-MASS DICHOTOMY (Mills) ; Bourgeoisie & Proletariat -- "the concentration of wealth and power in few elites is NOT GOOD for the mass" IDEOLOGY = (1) justifies & explains why the haves deserve having and the have nots don't (2) provides SOLACE - you can have in another life (Hinduism, Christianity/Catholicism) -- if you do not have the resources, you may be motivated to create conflict & overthrow the system - BUT if the haves have the cooperation of another institution in society (MARX = Religion) - offers power to be concentrated in the haves ---- keeping them in power - "better luck next time" - JESUITS (Catholic) Church = known to take up the causes of the poor ROUSSEAU's PERSPECTIVE in YMAY - similar to MARX - natural state of humans is social equality - BUT invention of property leads to competition, aggression, and hierarchies -- only difference in humans = differences in ability / natural qualities - invented notion of PRIVATE PROPERTY = that you can actually own something -- LED TO competition, aggression, and hierarchies of differing haves
SOCIOLOGISTS STUDYING SOCIAL CHANGE
The COMPLEXITY of CHANGE in the SOCIAL WORLD. SOCIAL CHANGE = defined as VARIATIONS or ALTERATIONS ~ OVER TIME ~ in the BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, CULTURE (including norms & values), and STRUCTURE of society. A. It is INEVITABLE, EVERYWHERE, and UBIQUITOUS. B. Some is CONTROLLABLE ~ Some is NOT. ~ Controllable = human police / decisions ~ NOT-Controllable = when it "has a life of its own" ~ human action C. Can be RAPID or GRADUAL and EVOLUTIONARY D. CHANGE in ONE LEVEL CAUSES CHANGE in ANOTHER LEVEL. ~ Change @ institutional level = change in behavior & VICE VERSA ~ CULTURAL DIFFUSION!!!!! ~ "Pizza creeping everywhere" ~ All INTERCONNECTED in a BACK & FORTH kind of way EXAMPLES: A) Change at a MICRO level in society (ex. people engaging in different behaviors) can change things on the MACRO level (ex. policies & laws) ~ which then also can cause changes to the MICRO level again (ex. change human behavior) B) could be from technological advancements OR population change, etc. Q: Are you shaped by society or do you shape society!?!? A: Sociologists = YES! BOTH WAYS!!
Race as a SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION
The Categories are INVENTED. - The Basis of them varies from PLACE-TO-PLACE & from TIME-TO-TIME ; NOT UNIVERSAL! A. NO BIOLOGICAL BASIS + The 3 Arbitrary Race Categorization that ruled -- early & late 18th Century, 19th Century, & most of the 20th Century = The HISTORICAL TERMS used for these categories: (1) Caucasoid (white) ; (2) Negroid (Black) ; (3) Mongoloid (Asian) Q: DISEASES? DNA TESTING? --> EX. Sickle Cell Anemia ~ associated with African Descent ~ protects against malaria -- what you find in the EQUATORIAL parts of the world = Immunity. THUS = The things that seem to be RACIAL DIFFERENCES are actually just REGIONAL THINGS ANCESTRY, REGIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS + The STRONGEST CORRELATION = environmental & socio-economic factors than to any kind of biological factors or differences. + FINDING = CROSS-GENERATIONAL INFLUENCES OF STRESSORS (Racial diference & social-class difference) -- Impacts the children born from mothers who had them in utero at the same time of intense stressors ~ particularly male fetuses. B. CONSTRUCTED in & by SOCIETIES + Rather than a universal, biological criteria + As a Result = the racial categories and the marker of what puts someone in one racial category over another are NOT UNIVERSAL. -- Racial Categories ~ slightly different in other places vs the US census C. NO ABSOLUTE LOGIC + What a group finds significant for placing a person into one category vs another VARIES. CASES that EXPOSE the ARBITRARINESS of RACIAL CATEGORIZATION: 1. The GENTLEMEN SINGH (YMAY): ~ Was he white? non-white? ~ He deserves to be naturalized... right? 2. HARVARD CASE: ~ Identical twins applied to Harvard ~ Both twins are of mixed ethnicity with indigenous nation membership & African American ancestry & White ancestry + TWIN 1 = received scholarship opportunities & clubs to join that were for the Black Student Alliance + TWIN 2 = DIDN'T receive any of what TWIN 1 did... because they weren't categorized that way. -- SAME COMPONENT, But TREATED DIFFERENTLY from the SAME INSTITUTION.
According to YMAY ch 7, what did historian Gregory Clark find in his research comparing social mobility in different societies at different times?
The US has the least mobile among "rich" nations
Privilege
The system is designed & maintained by the systematic inequalities which disadvantage others operates on a variety of levels When UNEARNED ENTITLEMENTS become UNEARNED ADVANTAGE -- becomes a problem when some people have them and some people don't - unearned entitlements = things we think everyone should have just because they are a human / citizen - unearned advantage = only an advantage because NOT EVERYONE GETS IT! - GROUP MEMBERSHIP (gender, ethnicity, social class of birth, "doing heterosexuality the right way," ability status, etc.) -- ex. the ability to speak and be heard / the ability to use the bathroom between classes Assumption of NORMALCY & the ability to ignore and not object of the oppression of others -- assuming that your category & your experience is normal -- ability to go through life without actually seeing what is going on with those who aren't privileged -- doesn't matter for the quality of your life -- you don't have to object to their oppression "GREASE on the wheels of life" = - metaphor for what privilege is ; Grease = privilege -- you don't notice when it is running smoothly BUILT into STRUCTURES = that can go UNNOTICED -- rendered invisible/deniable - built into the background - "no that is not what is going on because we as Americans believe in Meritocracy!" - "white guilt" - if we let ourself overtly see it then we would feel yucky about it
Lisa Wade's "Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions"
Traditionalists (Men=breadwinners ; women=housework) Neo-Traditionalists (women can work, only if it does not interfere with mom duties) Egalitarians (fair share of breadwinning and housework)
Causes of SOCIAL CHANGE
UN-INTENTIONAL FEATURES -- things BIGGER than US [ bigger than our choices ] A) ENVIRONMENTAL and POPULATION PRESSURES ~ Global Climate Change ~ life of its own B) CULTURAL and TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS ~ Everything from frozen embryos to the internet ~ Cased gigantic changes in the US ~ Leads us to these discussions of PHILOSOPHICAL / LEGAL / RELATIONAL CHANGES & CONSIDERATIONS that are completely NEW. C) CULTURAL DIFFUSION VS. IMPERIALISM ~ Social change can result from SHARED INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE, TRADE, etc. OR it could come as a result of the IMPOSITION of certain FORCES COMING INTO a society ~~ COMPLICATED!! Is it IMPERIALISM or DIFFUSION? ~~~ EX. National Corporations making deals with Nation State Entities to extract resources or bring industry to a particular region = may cause BENEFITS for the LEADERS, but cause NEGATIVE consequences for the people in the region. Q: Is that a more EQUITABLE kind of CULTURAL SHIFT? -- DIFFICULT to asses. -- Depends which LENSE you are wearing !!
Sex, Sexuality, & Gender
US = collapses gender & sexuality Distinct dimensions of identity & social status SEX = the perceived biological differences that society typically uses to distinguish males from females - ROOTED IN the BODY -- biological indicators -- "REAL" "OBJECTIVE" "NATURAL" phenomenon. - even these categories are socially constructed / invented -- "Male & Female" - Labeled at birth + Social constructionists = "there are variations in the body/genital shapes" BUT in our social world there is only room for the two categories GENDER = denotes a social position - namely, the set of social arrangements built around normative sex categories - based on behaviors associated with masculinity and femininity - "A Social Thing" + Sex @ Birth ; then train the person to occupy that gender position --- Reinforced GENDER BINARY (by parents) SEXUALITY = refers to desire, sexual preference, sexual identity, and behavior + We socialize individuals in the world into particular statuses, roles, identities, and teaching Pronatalist Heteronormative gender binary = a particular kind of heterosexual privilege -- results from our set of special arrangements -- the SEXUALITY PRIVILEGE has a specificity to it --- linked with proper gender behavior (this is where the collapse comes in)
Second Shift
Unpaid care work, typically borne by women, apart from and in addition to work at a paid job 1970's/ 80's saw a major shift in women entering the workforce Leisure Gap Power:
WHITENESS & WHITE PRIVILEGE
WHITENESS = a category with HISTORICAL & MATERIAL CONDITIONS that gave rise to its INVENTION & MEANING as "NORMAL" and "SUPERIOR" = An IDENTITY. ~ Comes along with WHITE PRIVILEGE. ~ It is impossible to talk about racial inequality or privilege without taking about the EMERGENCE of WHITENESS ~ along with White Privilege. WHITE PRIVILEGE = arises out of these same conditions AND RESULTS from ASSOCIATED ASSUMPTIONS & PRACTICES. ~ When being WHITE exists as a COMPARISON to "other" groups ~ Normalized such that you don't need a MODIFIER in front of a category that is implied to be WHITE (primarily white) ~ When we say "AMERICAN" the implication is: to be AMERICAN is to be WHITE. There are groups who CHALLENGE that definition of Americans --- THREATENING to groups VYING for POWER or CLAIMS of AMERICAN VALUES being LOST; + "AMERICAN VALUES" = the primacy of a sort of white middle class sense of what is normal / prefered + AMERICA = U.S. = WHITE = "NORMAL" WHITENESS PROJECT = any social, structural, or political process that MAINTAINS or ADVANCES WHITE SUPREMACY / ADVANTAGE / WHITE SPACE A. GENTRIFICATION = process of challenging housing patterns, etc. ; LOSS of previous CULTURALLY DISTINCT SPACES ~ EX. University B. LEGALIZATION of CANNABIS = the ways in which the law specified who could own cannabis related businesses ~ intentionally framed to exclude African Americans
Trends in Global Inequality
WITHIN = individual nation states & BETWEEN = global regions WHY? = diff levels of development, exploitation, colonization, industrialization, etc. MAIN CAUSES = combination of COLONIALISM & UNEQUAL DEVELOPMENT - certain regions (former colonies of Western European nations) are suffering from the burdens of development From HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE = Global inequality has INCREASED dramatically in the last few centuries -- because BOTTOM has been raised but top has been raised much much more
Labeling Theory - Symbolic Interactionism - Deviance
We create deviance by assigning shared meanings to acts We become deviant through interaction with other social actors How others react to labels form the basis of self-identity E.g. what we label as deviant varies across social contexts
Families Canvas Reading: Care Chain
Who fills "outsourced" housework and child-care roles? 2/3 of women are paid under minimum wage Care Chain = "a series of nurturing relationships in which care is displaced onto increasingly disadvantaged paid or unpaid careers" How is love displaced? Employers entitled/prefer no distraction
Poverty line in the US
a measure of scarcity determined by figuring the cost of a minimal food budget and multiplying it by three
Ideology
a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. Our belief systems!! - religion, capitalism, economic system, science, scientific method (way of examining the world)
Feminized Labor
all male roommates - "im not his wife" gap couple - "I'm the mommy"
according to the lecture on creating a just or fair society, one/some standards for assessing equitable outcomes include which of the following ideas/values?
all of the descriptive options were discussed as possible standards
MIDDLE CLASS
also called the bourgeoisie, became the most powerful social class within industrialized societies. They were the wealthy but non-aristocratic class of property owners and the biggest beneficiaries of industrial prosperity. Meanwhile the Marxists saw them as exploiters of the working class. - Income well above poverty level, ownership of some property, WAGE as primary source of income
the idea that men and women each have a masculine and feminine side is linked to Jung's ideas about ____
animus & anima
Paul is always concerned about how he appears to others and thus wears a carefully chosen public "face" in every situation. According to Jung, Paul has ________.
become obsessed with his persona
service sector
businesses that provide services rather than manufactured goods
Symbolic Interactionism - Deviance
certain individuals/groups come to regarded as deviant through a process of labeling
Functionalism - Deviance
deviance & crime are necessary parts of society punishment asserts shared values
The Working Poor
employed people who consistently earn wages but do not make enough to survive notion acknowledges that you can work your ass off and still be below the poverty line - arises from an INCREASE in the service sector of our economy - not making minimum wage from their jobs
UPPER CLASS
in a society stratified by social class, a group of people who have high income and prestige and who own vast amounts of property and other forms of wealth, such as owners of large corporations, top financiers, rich celebrities and politicians, and members of prestigious families - income derived primarily through assets, dividends, interest, royalties -- "passive income" - highest net worth
according to lecture, what is the starting premise of Critical Theories (including Critical Race Theory)?
inequalities are the result of structured disadvantages built into social institutions
Critical Race Theory (CRT)
intersection of race, law, and power. SUBDIVISION of the CONFLICT THEORY PERSPECTIVE KEY POINT = inequalities are the result of structured disadvantages built into social institutions Starting premise = inequality (not just race) is not simply a matter of prestige (attitudes), but a matter of STRUCTURED DISADVANTAGEs built into all aspects of US society Reveals = our institutional policies/practices reproduce inequality, discrimination, & disadvantage -- even with well meaning people operating those institutions SYSTEMIC INEQUALITY = reinforced from the belief systems (ideologies) that justify the social arrangements -- built into these major social institutions: legal/criminal injustice institution ; economic institution ; political institution ; educational institution ; family institution -- ROOTED in HISTORICAL CONDITIONS -- even if they changed the social arrangements - they remain stable and in support of the inequality -- in favor of particular groups & further disadvantaging others Significance = informs some of the social movements that were fairly successful in bringing ideas and issues of racial justice & sustainability to the forefront of the public debate -- PUBLIC AWARENESS -- but there was backlash / resistance to the ideas believed by RADICAL THEORISTS -- when they see what's wrong with the system - they want to "blow it up" & change the foundation REINFORCED IDEOLOGIES, CULTURAL BELIEFS + PRACTICE, & LANGUAGE - ex. privilege is embedded in language ; "masculine normative" / "masculine universal erasing women" in medical textbooks -- used masculine terms to discuss female organs
Culture
material and non-material human creations that make social environment of a group meaningful
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on Stratification & Inequality
meaning, interaction ; face-to-face - micro level situations KEY IDEA = humans understand, experience, & co-create themselves & their social world through interactions where MEANING is constructed, neglected, & shared - MEANING = underlays the hierarchy -- distribution of goods, resources, services, prestige, etc. -- who decides? EMERGENCE OF INEQUALITIES = constructed meanings of "worth" & "value" that are culturally based & change over time through negotiation & conflict -- "these people get less because we think less of them" - OUR MEANING SYSTEM = not agreed / powerful enforce it LEANS INTO CONFLICT THEORY -- thinking about the ways in which we are conditioned to think / behave through inequality ---ex. when women ask for higher salary - don't get job - thus no longer ask -- We look at the COST of things (ex. racism) & how they impact our actions & choices -- internal costs
US on Stratification mobility
not as much mobility than we think we have our place in Strat system = highly correlated with our parents -- especially our FATHERS
Adult behavior, according to Horney, is based on efforts to ________.
overcome the fear of being alone in a hostile world
food desert
places where access to fresh and affordable food is limited (distance &/or difficulty of travel)
what is a food desert?
places where access to fresh and affordable food is limited (distance and/or difficulty of travel)
According to lecture and YMAY ch 7, ___________________ is an example of income and _______________ is an example of wealth.
rent that your tenants pay to you; the building you own that you rent out.
the object relations theorist Melanie Klein suggests that important love relationships are mixed with emotions such as envy, fear, and guilt. People react to these emotions by ____
resorting to idealizations of relationships
According to ymay ch 8, our (in the US) understanding of _____ is that it involves physical characteristics that are perceived as significant and associated with 2 categories of people, while _____ refers to a social position (status) and the accompanying social expectations and arrangements around those positions
sex; gender
Meritocracy
social stratification based on personal merit Where people are rewarded on the basis of EFFORT, HARD WORK, etc. - promotion is based on individual ability or achievement - "unfairly universal" STATUS = based on individual characteristics, NOT group membership
Matrix of Domination
the cumulative impact of oppression because of race and ethnicity, gender, and social class, as well as religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and citizenship status Patricia Hill Collins = intersecting domains of oppression that create a social space of domination & by extension, a unique position within that space based on someone's intersectional identity along the multiple dimensions of gender, age, race, class, sexuality, location, etc. -- focussing on the constraints of society ; some end up on dominant side of this, others don't COLLINS = used this term to explain how black women face unique oppressions that are not experienced by white women -- you are all of those things at once, not in an additive way
poverty
the estimated minimum level of income needed to secure the necessities of life OFFICIAL GOV. DEFINITION = in 2018, the poverty line for a family of 4 was $26,200 - working poor & non working poor --- underclass THE REALITY = much less rigid!! - Poverty = a state that families usually shift in & out of throughout their history -- being poor at one point in your life does not mean you were poor for all of your formative years / future years
Stratification
the hierarchical organization of a society into a group each group has a differing level of power, social prestige, status, & economic resources group membership = can be ascribed or achieved Sociologists - how many statuses is it possible to achieve? - is it possible to achieve different statuses over course of a lifetime? between generations?
Intersectionality
the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. CRITICAL THEORIES have introduced this more nuanced analysis - "you are never just one of those categories" -- "you are multiple dimensions of diff places on the power / privilege hierarchy @ a given time" - acknowledgement that your diff statuses intersect at diff points - and co-create your status at any given moment introduced by BLACK FEMINISM DEFINITION = idea that it is critical to understand the interplay between social identities (race, class, gender, ability status, & sexual orientation) even though many social systems & institutions (ex. the law) try to treat each category on its own - we are never just one of them! -it ALSO establishes that "woman" is NOT a stable / obvious category of identity -- "SHE" is many things that impact important outcomes -- at any given moment, you are many things = impacts outcome!!! - acknowledgement that these categories are SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED -- which does not always mean the same thing - the MIX of many things comes to impact different outcomes -- when we make choices, it is never just from one social location = you are an array of your social positions & characteristics
How do families avoid the problem of the second shift?
{Intensive Mothering} Mothers should spend copious amounts of time, energy, and material resources caring for children, over other interests {Outsourcing} Paying non-family members to do family-related tasks {De-emphasizing} Turning away from work to focus on raising a child
