Economic Stratification in the United States

Answer

Economic Stratification in the US

            Individuals and groups with varied levels of wealth, income, cultural and social capital occupy different positions within the society. Social stratification refers to the hierarchical standing of social groups according to unequal levels of power, wealth, and social status (Connelly & Gayle, 2016). It is a consequence of structural inequalities among individuals and social groups. Principally, structural inequality takes place due to unequal access to symbolic and material rewards including education, money, rights and prestige. These rewards are accessed based on social hierarchy or class standing. Other determinant of social stratification encompass age, gender, ethnicity, race, and religious affiliation. Based on this background information, this paper describes the economic stratification in the United States currently. To achieve this, it applies functionalism theory and explains how the theory achieves this.

The Current Economic Stratification in the United States

             In the US, individuals are broadly categorized into four classes that include lower class, working class, middle class and upper class. Essentially, the class system enables for social mobility. This implies that a person has the potential to move down or up in the class structure. Lazzarato (2009) maintained that the classes in the US are closely related to social and economic status, a combined measure of occupation, education and income. Given that social and economic status are closely interlinked but independent factors of educational achievement, income level and occupation, it is slightly fluid category. A member of a society may have higher marks in a single measure with low marks in others. For instance, while dons and lecturers have highest education attainments, they majorly belong to the middle class due to the income linked to their occupational prestige and the income associated with their jobs (Beaver, 2009). Similarly, individuals who often work in finance departments have only a bachelor’s degree but are linked to upper class due to the income attached to their jobs. Nonetheless, in most situations, the educational achievement is closely associated with income levels. Precisely, average earnings are relatively higher for US citizens holding higher degrees and lowest for those without or with high school diploma (Beaver, 2009).

            In the US, the class that individuals belong to is usually the class associated to them during birth (Bennett, 1996). For instance, those belonging to upper class usually hold this position due to family wealth or riches inherited through generations. Nonetheless, it is prudent to note that there are various pathways to the upper class including putting massive investment in the real estate or stock market and joining highly paid professions (Beaver, 2009). Precisely, becoming a lawyer, doctor or engineer is usually regarded as a pathway to the upper class (Beaver, 2009). However, certain outliers including artists, celebrities and athletes also get much income, making them to move to the upper class.

            Similarly, lower class and working class Americans often have low education attainment as compared to those in upper and middle classes, although there are certain exemptions to this pattern (Beaver, 2009). Candidly, those belonging to these classes usually work in low income occupations such as restaurants, factories, administrative and clerical jobs. These professionals have little income and carry less occupational prestige.

            Frydl (2009) contended that in the US, individuals can move down or up the class ladder based majorly on their income.  Interestingly, upward income mobility is prevalent as compared to downward income mobility. Nonetheless, for the past three decades, the income distribution in this society has become unequal. This inequality is linked to other factors including race and gender. For instance, a report produced by Lindert and Williamson (2016) revealed that median earnings of black American employees are about 75% of the median earnings of white Americans. The report further reveals that median black families own about $1700 in wealth while white families own about $116000 in wealth. Moreover, structural inequalities particularly in the labour force for years rooted on discrimination and racism has contributed to the economic stratification currently witnessed in the US (Vedantam, Shah, & Boyle, 2019). Precisely, economic stratification linked to race has increased significantly in the US despite improvements in the civil rights. Globalization and deindustrialization have resulted in fewer job opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, occupations that in years back was regarded as pathway towards upward mobility for many people including people of color. Moreover, transformation in the structure of the American economy has negatively influenced the people of color. Essentially, the racial wealth gap started with slavery and proceeded to unequal access to education. As explained in the coursework, this happened through racial segregation of public learning institutions. Moreover, post World II policies that offered funding to veteran to attend colleges were only extended to white Americans as opposed to everyone.

            The economic stratification in the US is also linked to discriminatory legislations around real estate loans and real estate ownership. Redlining the issue of barring people of color from renting or purchasing homes in some regions is still common across the US. This practice as contended by Wade (2014) created ghettos or neighborhoods with scarce resources that separated blacks from educational, economic, as well as, other opportunities. While various acts including the Fair Housing Act helped eradicate this practice, blacks have continued to be denied various opportunities while whites benefiting from government backed home loans. With time, the values of these homes increased considerably, enabling these families to acquire wealth and pass them to their generations. This played a critical role to the upward mobility that is common across the generation of white families.

            In the modern American societies, poverty rates are unequal for individuals of certain genders, races and ages. Precisely, stratification and equality associated to gender, age, and age intersect to aggravate the impacts of poverty for individuals belonging to low class or marginalized groups. For instance, on average, Hispanic Americans and African Americans are poorer and belong to lower or middle classes as compared to Asian and white Americans (). Similarly, women are poorer than their counterpart men and older people are poorer as compared to young individuals. Racial discrimination is a major factor explaining why some races and classes experience more poverty as compared to others. Precisely, women raise children on their own and those with low education attainment are disadvantaged because of the limited job opportunities. Similarly, lack of income among aged individuals who stopped working is a major factor that contribute to low income among older people.

The Functionalism Theory and Economic Stratification in the US

             According to functionalism theory, the society is comprised of several elements that work together as a unit to maintain stability. A functionalist approach to social class examines the roles played by social stratification and class structure in the entire society. According to this theory, stratification works to ensure efficiency and productivity and make sure that almost all the necessary works are completed (Wade, 2014). As such, this theory states that social stratification is important and inevitable as well. The theory maintains that certain jobs require more training or skills and that only few individuals have the ability to become highly trained and skilled and to pertake these important jobs. More importantly, individuals have to make key sacrifices in terms of effort, time and money in order to achieve training, education and experiences to perform these jobs. According to the functionalist viewpoint, the society attaches critical rewards in the form of income and prestige to make sure that these critical jobs are taken by qualified persons (Lindert, & Williamson, 2016). For instance, doctors plays a key role in the society. However, to become a doctor, one must dedicate much time, money and effort in training and education. In return, the society rewards these efforts, money and training by bestowing great prestige to doctors, as well as, increased levels of income (Frydl, 2009). Nonetheless, class inequality only works provided it can be sustained. In case the working classes makes a decision that it is not function properly as it should, they are likely to seek social change through strikes or protests.

            In conclusion, economic stratification in the modern US takes various forms. People and groups with lower economic standing usually have less access to healthcare, education, housing, attractive and safe neighborhoods among other resources. Principally, with fewer resources, less wealth and less power, individuals with low economic standing are susceptible of detrimental impacts of political, economic and social policies. For instance, the low class individuals and groups are more likely to stay in neighborhoods where they are exposed to health hazards. As argued by the functionalists, class individuals are poor because of low educational attainments. These individuals lack the necessary skills and knowledge needed to perform prestigious and highly paid jobs and therefore resort to menial jobs.