...As defined, conflict theory is a Marxist-based social theory which argues that individuals and groups within society have differing amounts of material and nonmaterial resources (the wealthy vs. the poor) and that the more powerful groups use their power in order to exploit groups with less power. This theory also can be applied to common social situations especially to crimes and other deviant acts or situations. As I’ve read and analyze this theory, I learned that people in different social classes compete for the available resources. For me, through this, people learn to be competitive and fight for their rights and for the things or resources that they need but there is an explanation in this theory that people who are in the upper or in the middle class, which is obviously have their resources, abuse the weaknesses of those people in the lower class or the poor because they know that lower class people need the resources they have which is for me, a negative impact in the term “equality”. And this is the reason why poor people have a big possibility in committing crimes rather than the upper-middle class people. But it depends also because the social justice system is somewhat in favor of the upper-middle class people. They did heavy punishment for the poor or the lower class people when they commit crimes but when the upper-middle class people also commit crimes, most of the time, they didn’t punish them or if they did, the punishment is not that heavy. So as a result...
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...working class parents will want a wider range of opportunities for their children than to what they have experienced […] many will socialise their children into the world they know” (Gaine, Dr.Chris, George, Ms Rosalyn (30 Nov 1998). Gender, 'Race' and Class in schooling: A new introduction. 3rd ed. l: Taylor and Francis. 35.) Although parents would want their kids to have high aspirations they know that because of the social injustice and because they belong to working class families that’s all they’ll be aspirations. Furthermore such decisions as to what the child receives in terms of education wise and career wise all depends on the students willingness and those that don’t have the determination and for some the ones that come from lower classes it is a constant circle for them of dropping out of education and living on government benefits because they feel out of place when attending schools that are highly populated with middle and higher class...
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...hierarchy in which individuals and groups are classified on the basis of esteem and prestige acquired mainly via economic success and accumulation of wealth. Social class may withal refer to any particular level in such a hierarchy. Four prevalent social classes informally recognized in many societies are: (1) Upper class, (2) Middle class, (3) Working class, and the (4) Lower class. The effects of social class can be felt anywhere. Virtually every aspect of society is influenced in some manner by social class. The magazines one reads, the television shows one watches, and the apparel a person buys affect social class. School, work, religious, and home lives are withal linked to the influence of social classes. Schools and the workplace are greatly influenced by social class. The look of employment is transmuting because workers can no longer expect to work their way up through a company. Many companies look outside of the company for people with the right educational background instead of hiring from within. The reporting of social class contributes to the lack of reliability as well. Since social class is often self-reported, it is difficult to assure the precision of the information collected. Even if the data is precise, social classes are not the same in each region or city. What constitutes upper class in one location may be middle class in another. The lack of consistency involved in researching social class accounts for the difficulty in utilizing it as a reliable...
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...dependent upon the under paid, over worked, and exploited minority. Le Guin illustrated this when she states, “It is the existence of the child, and their knowledge of its existence, that makes possible the nobility of their architecture, the poignancy of their music, the profundity of their science” (Le Guin, 1973, p.5). The author also lets us know that the child is better off in these heinous conditions and would be unable to thrive if let go. She states, “It is too degraded and imbecile to know any real joy. It has been afraid too long ever to be free of treatment. Indeed, after so long it would probably be wretched without excrement to sit in” (Le Guin, 1973, p.5). Le Guin identifies with the co dependency of the economic and social classes. She shows us that they need each other in order to exist. Task C After reading The Ones Who Walked Away from Omelas, I can recall a situation in my life where I encountered identity issues of economic and social class similar to those in the short story. I was a manager for a large corporate restaurant chain. The chain was very concerned with sales levels and profits. In order to maximize profits, we were encouraged to hire employees in at minimum wage,...
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...Social status, education level, age and gender. These are minor words that have a huge impact on different cultures around the globe. In America the talk of social status seems be more seen and not heard. It shows up in actions of those in this culture. If you want to raise money for a certain charity or event, the first crowd you will go out your way to extend an invitation to will be those in a high social status or class. America has come a long way in its views of status and age. Even though there is no set class structure as in other countries, America has its own views of social class. The words upper class and middle class and lower class are often mentioned. They were often referenced on the road to the White House in the Presidential elections of 2008. Many from outside American culture can often be blind when it comes to seeing our class structure since the homeless are often seen in the same areas as those who are wealthy. If one hangs around the Washington, DC area long enough, they will start to hear terms such as “The DC Elite” social status. These are people who are usually in the upper class and are invited to the important (often political) events in the city. Even certain areas of the city are known for where those with the money reside. Mention you live in Georgetown, Capitol Hill or one of the neighboring counties known for their wealth, and you will automatically be listed as someone with “status.” Titles in America are not as important...
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...A peer-reviewed academic journal article that is a beneficial resource to our pursuit of seeking how education and social classes intertwine is an article called An Inside Look at Education and Poverty by Carol M. Swain. We will be discussing three key points from this peer-reviewed academic journal article. The first of the three key points that we will be discussing is the black/white achievement gap in educational performance that affects every economic level. The second key point that we will be discussing problems plaguing lower-class Americans. The third and final key point is a list of recommendations presented Carol Swain to improve the K- 12 educational experience for low-income students. The first key point is discussing is the black/white achievement gap in educational performance that affects every economic level. African American children reared in families earning $50,000/year score no better than Caucasian and Asians reared in families earning from $10,000-$20,000/year. These distinct differences in achievement levels grow themselves during the K-12 years. The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) portrays familiar patterns of African Americans lagging behind other groups. Studies show that African Americans in their senior year of high school function at a skill level of four years behind the levels of Caucasian and Asian students. This information will be beneficial for us to understand...
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...Erika Garcia Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Conspicuous Consumption! ! - Consumers who buy expensive things to publicize their wealth & evidence. Rather than covering the needs that one may truly have.! ! - Conspicuous displays of consumption. And Leisure displays one superiority. ! ! - To Maintain or Gain higher statuses! ! ! - They have an affect and influence on other classes which lead those inferior classes to emulate such behavior. ! - Once the basis of social status becomes about wealth there are no morals, no knowledge, no character.! - The rich needed to find ways of spending money that had no other objectives other than the display of wealth itself (luxury)! - when you can buy expensive symbols of wealth you are showing people you are wealthy and part of the leisure class.! - Wasting money and time can benefit people by showing people you are wealthy and ! part of the leisure class. or time blowed means you don’t have to work, lay around and be leisurely (playing golf, suntanning)! - rests is pecuniary strength; and the means of showing! pecuniary strength, and so of gaining or retaining a good! name, are leisure and a conspicuous consumption of goods! Hierarchical Gradations! - Inheritance of Wealth or belonging to an elegance society. ! - Potential to inherit a life of leisure without wealth needed to maintain a aspect of leisure. ! Vicarious Consumers! - Usually a servant or attendant, who has served the family for yrs! - Affiliated...
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...In school factors can have a big impact on the social class differences in education achievement. However, it isn’t the only factor. In school factors include labelling; this is done by both students and teachers. Pupils will be labelled based on social class; a working class child is more likely to be labelled as ‘stupid’, and other degrading names. This labelling can lead to the self-fulfilling prophecy; this disadvantages them because the teacher is favouring other students. However, teachers are more likely to label a middle class child as smart, intelligent etc. Which makes them feel good and they achieve. This puts them at a starting advantage over their working class peers. Marxists would say this is creating inequality, and reproducing the ruling class ideology as they are above working class from an early age. Class size is also an in school factor; a small class means more one to one time with a teacher. Only middle class can afford public schools, and therefore have smaller class sizes and therefore are more likely to achieve more due to more time with the teacher. A middle class child is more likely to be placed in a higher set, as Bowles and Gintis says. This means they are more likely to be taught to a higher grade, which means they will perform better in the exam as they will be prepared for the exam. Some people may also argue that public schools have better teacher standards, only middle class can afford the public schools, which means they get this higher teaching...
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...Social class discrimination 1Social class discrimination is the actual behaviour that people treat others differently according to their social situation, such that someone on benefits is treated unfairly compared to that of someone who works for a living. There are great differences in the condition of the class discrimination in different countries. In the following three paragraphs, I would like to show you three causes and relevant effects of social class discrimination. The main cause of social class discrimination is that people in high class are more powerful in the society. Noble people always occupy higher status. Undoubtedly, it is much easier for upper classes to achieve something. They are accustomed to control, accustomed others to obey. As time passes, despotism appears. Some noblemen united to form a council governing the country. This is just the way some kingdom died out. Nowadays, even though this phenomenon is unlikely to emerge any more, the epitome of despotism still exists as a result of class discrimination; for instance, the law of hereditary kingship and the rank of nobility. As the discriminatory hierarchy exists, the society cannot be united and peaceful which has been proved by the history. The class consciousness is indoctrinated when people growing up. They observe how their parents treat lower- class people, so that they imitate. However, the inveteracy of class- based discrimination can influence their psychological health. They look down upon...
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...NORTH VS SOUTH Couple points to remember as you’re preparing for the quiz tomorrow! NORTH * The north will industrialize much quicker than the south * National road runs through the north * Erie Canal is built in the north * Eli Whitney’s interchangeable parts system allowed for mass production * Industrialization draws people from rural setting to towns (growth of large cities) * Negative results of growth: crime, riots, fire, sanitation issues (cholera and typhoid spread) * Societal Roles: * Men of all social classes worked outside the home * Women: * Poor women worked as domestic servants/in factories/or as seamstresses or launderers * Middle class women remained at home * African Americans: * Women worked as domestic servants * Men worked in shipping industry as sailors or dockworkers in New England * Small African American middle class (carpenters, shoemakers, teachers, ministers) * While industrialization grew in the early 1800s in the north, agriculture remained the primary source of income for most people SOUTH * The invention of the cotton gin if important to understanding the necessity of agriculture and slave labor in the south * Invention of the cotton gin happens at the same time textile mill in Europe are expanding * Mills need cotton, south is making a ton of money selling cotton * Need slave labor to produce the cotton...
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...Outline and assess the view that in school factors have the main influence on the educational achievement of different social classes (50 Marks) INSIDE - The Curriculum What is taught in schools disadvantages working class pupils. The knowledge taught in school is different to the cultural experiences of working class pupils. For example, History deals with the ruling class such as kings, queens and politicians, rather than the majority of ordinary people. Cultural Bias of the hidden curriculum favours middle class pupils. This may lead the underachievement and truancy of those from working class backgrounds. Ramsay argues that knowledge is used as a form of social control and that there is a hidden curriculum behind the subjects of Maths and English to keep the working class in their place. Ramsay argues that truancy is a protest against this pressure. - Teacher Labelling Interactionists study the interactions between teacher & student and student & student. Their explanations are based on a “labelling theory”. Teachers judge students not by their ability or intelligence, but by characteristics such as class. Keddie – “Classroom Knowledge” Keddie studied classroom interactions in a large, socially mixed comprehensive school in London. She had found that teachers categorised and evaluated classroom knowledge. The knowledge that teachers gave pupils was based on their assessment of the pupil’s ability to cope with the knowledge. Pupils that were categorized as “bright”...
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...A suitable match The Victorian age is the period of time, when Queen Victoria was reigning. It was from 1827-1901. Even though England had all of these great things in the Victorian age, the class system was still a very big part of it, unfortunately. The social classes are very different. There is a class called Lower class. A person who is a part of the lower class is not wealthy when it comes to money. They depended very much on other people. Like poor people or orphans relied on the charity of others. Then there is the working class. They were divided in two groups; skilled class and unskilled class. The middle class is a wide class. A person in the middle class, could be as rich as one in the upper-class, but because of their social status, they can only be placed in the middle class. This is called higher middle class. Lower middle class people often work for people in the higher middle class. The upper-class was the highest class. They were rich on money, and they were rich on their status and their circle of acquaintances. The play takes place in the house of Lady Bracknell. It is in the company of Lady Bracknell and a guy named Jack, we hear the play. Jack is a possible match for Lady Bracknell’s daughter, Gwendolen. The plot is over a very short amount of time, about ten minutes. Lady Bracknell is asking Jack some questions to find out if he is suitable for her daughter. Not every guy is suitable for her daughter. It is not just her daughter she is giving away...
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...Consumerism and the Impact of Social Class “People in a consumer society consume to improve their quality of life; there are costs associated with this practice (financial, time, ecological, societal and human) for the individual and the collective” (McGregor). Associated in this piece is the concentration in the belief of consumerism’s affect on the societal structure in terms of the social class standards, between lower, middle, and upper class sections. The dependent variable is consumerism; the rise in spending and its involvement and impact in the economy and social standards of today’s society. Independent variable is the focus of socioeconomic status and social class; concerning the idea that wealth allows greater amounts of consuming, however the lower class strives for similar status in the material and nonmaterial goods. Factors that provide consumerism in society and the economy are the buying of consumer goods, which has expanded in recent decades to national and global lengths. Consumerism is said to be the reason that the U.S. had turned citizens into shoppers, making Americans less free to the economy and the market. Globalization; the process of goods and services over national boundaries, is a rising factor, due to the buying, selling and networking of products globally. Countries like the U.S. China have benefitted by the globalization, but also have impacted their society and culture, from the influence of cultural differences, negatively and positively...
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...These are the descriptions, understandings and different backgrounds of the following types of discriminations. If an individual is left out or disadvantaged because of one or more of these factors, then they are being discriminated against and their rights are protected under the (equality act). DISABILITIES- Disabilities is a way that people can If a health and social care setting (such as a school) does not have wheelchair access into the building or does not have access to higher floors in terms of a lift or other access, then this is discrimination. AGE- This is a process of becoming older. If an individual is disadvantaged in a job because of their age then this is discrimination. Some companies may not hire older people in their 40’s because they may not be able to carry out tasks that younger people may be able to. SOCIAL CLASS- Social class refers to the upper class, middle class and lower class. The class an individual belongs to depends on their wealth or family name/status. If an individual is being placed into a care home the type they get placed in will be determined on what they can afford. If they are of higher class, they will be able to afford a more expensive one with better facilities. SEXUALITY- This is the preferences of an individual. For example, a company may ask on an application form the sexuality of an individual and if the individual is homosexual (gay) then a company may not hire them. This could be because older generations are not always comfortable...
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...concept and the meaning of it has been changed over time. For example, in medieval era Europe, the classification of social classes was based on the descent such as nobles and peasants. The nobles in England were classified as high class even though they were lack of wealth. However, the peasants were not able to become high class no matter how wealthy they were, so the classification of peasants with wealth was classified as middle class. As the time flew and when the capitalism has taken place instead of hierarchy, the classification of middle class has changed once more which is mainly classified by the person’s occupation and the wealth the person has. For example of United Kingdom in 1911, the middle class was the class that falls between the upper class and the working class which are professionals, managers, and senior civil servants. However, nowadays, as the economy and technology has developed in fast pace, the definition of the middle class have changed once again that is determined according to the income level of a person. According to The Economics in February 2009, the definition of the middle classes is the people who have a reasonable income with stable job occupation. The Economics also pointed out that the number of middle classes has exploded from 1980s to 2000s. What can be the reason of such a huge change of the number of middle classes from 1920s to present days? The changes are due to the fact of globalization. The standard definition of globalization is...
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