Exam 6: Social Stratification

Critically discuss the following statement: "Social inequality in Canada is not a serious problem and, consequently, the government should not try to do anything about it."

According to Davis and Moore, position in the status hierarchy is based on people's effort and ability: if a person's job is more important, then that person gets paid more. What was determination based upon?

Which of the following are criticisms of the Davis and Moore theory of stratification?

According to the text, what is poor bashing?

About 10 percent of Canadians are classified as poor.

According to the text, what lies at the root of capitalism's concept of surplus value?

Making reference to the ideas of nineteenth- and twentieth-century social theorists that you find useful, discuss the structured patterns of social inequality that can be observed in Canada, and the reasons that they continue to exist.

Frank Parkin's concept of exclusion refers to the organized efforts of privileged, more powerful groups to maintain their advantaged position.

When considering social class, a doctor is generally associated with having a high status. Before doctors can practise medicine they choose to undertake extensive training and education of a high intellectual standard. How would you describe a doctor's status?

The idea of a golf and country club membership highlights Frank Parkin's theory that social institutions are organized by the privileged to uphold class differences and prevent the disadvantaged from having access to certain opportunities. Intentionally preventing someone from engaging in particular activities to uphold class differences is referred to as which of the following?

A very large proportion of the poor in Canada are made up of the working poor.

According to Gerhard Lenski's evolutionary model, which of the following societies is LEAST stratified?

Mark, 25, is a single male, working as a newly hired social worker in New Brunswick, earning $40,000 a year. He has $50,000 of student-loan debt. He lives in an apartment, drives a new leased car, and is paying his bills. Yet he still feels disadvantaged compared to some of his married friends who have two incomes. What is Mark suffering from?

Using Parkin's concept of usurpation, describe and analyze the goals of some social movements you are familiar with.

A country such as Sweden has high levels of social equality between citizens. Based on talent and merit, people can rise from lower classes and achieve a higher standard of life. Which term is used to describe countries with high levels of equality enabling upward mobility?

According to the text, which statement describes income inequality in Canada?

According to the text, what is structural mobility?

What are some of the possible solutions to income inequality? What could Canada be doing differently to reduce the income gap that currently exists?

According to the text, what type of inequality has been increasing in Canada during the past decade?

There has been an intensified negative stereotyping of the poor and those on welfare in Canada.