Week 6
SOC 185 Discuss Considering Social Class
Social class is to some degree a matter of self-perception. Most Americans think of themselves as being either Middle class or Working class. This perception is based upon comparison to others in the surrounding community. At the same time, two people who live in the same community and make about the same amount of money may still consider themselves to be from different social classes. People with college degrees who work in office environments tend to consider themselves as Middle class, while people working in construction, manufacturing, or mining see themselves as working class, even if they earn just as much money as the office workers who live nearby.
In cities with a high cost of living, such as New York City, even those with incomes exceeding $400,000 per year–who most Americans would consider rich–tend to think of themselves as Middle class. They don’t think of themselves as Upper class because they know other people who make much more money than they do, and because living costs are so high that they feel like they are struggling to keep up with their peers in the same social class.
Structural changes in the US economy have tended to exacerbate income inequality and widen class differences. Jobs that support a Middle-class lifestyle are increasingly tied to higher levels of educational attainment. Those without college degrees are finding that their career options are often limited to roles with low pay, limited benefits, and no path to advancement.
Part 1: How would you describe your own social class? How do you feel about it? How does your social class affect your outlook on life?
In the 90-minute documentary/movie Roger and Me, by Michael Moore (DVD, 1989) a true story about big business taking advantage of the little guy. General Motors closes its factories in Flint, Michigan, putting thousands of people out of work. The entire film revolves around the hardworking people of Flint as well as Moore’s quest to find General Motor’s CEO, Roger Smith. While the movie is now 32+ years old, keeping a sociologist/objective lens on, the message still depicts an extremely realistic outcome. We still have the same issues concerning the sluggish economy and corporate downsizing.
Are there any other examples of industries/companies today that are impacting the social and structural inequality in our fight to reduce or expand the poverty/class gap?
Disparities of power produce social inequality. Intersectionality theory highlights the connections and interactions between various forms of inequality, especially race, class, and gender. Intersectionality theorists recognize the different dimensions of inequality and highlight the interactions that take place between these dimensions.
How have you observed the disparity of power (from inequality especially race, class, and gender) displayed in our American society?
In the 90-minute documentary/movie Roger and Me, by Michael Moore (DVD, 1989) a true story about big business taking advantage of the little guy. General Motors closes its factories in Flint, Michigan, putting thousands of people out of work. The entire film revolves around the hardworking people of Flint as well as Moore’s quest to find General Motor’s CEO, Roger Smith. While the movie is now 32+ years old, keeping a sociologist/objective lens on, the message still depicts an extremely realistic outcome. We still have the same issues concerning the sluggish economy and corporate downsizing.
Are there any other examples of industries/companies today that are impacting the social and structural inequality in our fight to reduce or expand the poverty/class gap?
Far too many Americans are illiterate in power—what it is, how it operates, and why some people have it. As a result, those few who do understand power wield disproportionate influence over everyone else. Watch the following Ted talk by civics educator Eric Liu, Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power (Links to an external site.).
Based on the video, reflect on the following questions.
- Why does Eric Liu state that power has negative moral valence?
- Do you agree with Eric Liu’s perspective that civic inequality is tied up with disengagement and ignorance of the major stakeholders in the power game of governance?
- Can you think of an issue in your city where the use of your civic power can bring about change?
How does a country’s economic system influence politics? What do government officials do to try to ensure a healthy economy? What are some of the consequences?
