Social Class and Discrimination Flashcards

Study Notes

Social Class: Unequal opportunities and rewards based on different social positions or statuses within society.
Idleness: Refers to a state of inactivity or lack of engagement in productive activities.
Apartheid: A system of segregation or discrimination based on race, historically associated with South Africa.
Relative Poverty: A situation where individuals lack resources compared to others within a society, highlighting inequality rather than absolute deprivation.
Absolute Poverty: Severe deprivation of basic resources essential for survival, significantly threatening an individual's life.
SES: Acronym for Socioeconomic Status, measuring an individual's or family's economic position in relation to others.
Key Characteristics of Social Class:
- Wealth
- Power
- Prestige These elements significantly influence an individual's social class.
Foreclosure: Legal process in which a lender takes possession of a property due to the borrower's failure to make mortgage payments.
Bourgeoisie: The middle class, specifically those who own the means of production, such as factories and businesses.
Proletariat: Describes the working class, particularly those who do not own the means of production and sell their labor.
Social Class Discrimination (Classism): Prejudice or discriminatory behavior directed at individuals based on their social class.
Reverse Discrimination: Policies or practices favoring individuals from groups that have historically faced discrimination to encourage equality.
Social Classes in the U.S.:
- Upper Class
- Upper Middle Class
- Average Middle Class
- Working Class
- Lower Class These distinctions are often based on income levels.
Marginalized: Process of treating individuals or groups as insignificant or peripheral, often resulting in reduced access to resources and opportunities.
Environmental Racism: Disproportionate placement of low-income or minority communities near hazardous environmental conditions, leading to adverse health and living conditions.
Asthma Disparity: African Americans are twice as likely to die from asthma compared to White Americans, indicating significant health inequities based on race.

Description

Explore key concepts related to social class and discrimination with these flashcards. Learn important terms such as apartheid, social class, and relative poverty. Perfect for students studying sociology or social issues.