Social Class & Mobility Exam #2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is implied by the phrase 'proletarianization of the white collar worker'?

Blurred lines between occupational categories, where white-collar jobs at lower status levels have been deskilled.

What are two things that contributed to the 'proletarianization of the white collar worker'?

Increased job security

Rise of technicians (correct)

Higher education requirements

Technological advancements (correct)

What sort of educational background is common among those drifting towards service sector jobs in the mid-1970s?

Some college experience.

In 1973, only percent of factory workers had some college training. By 2000, that figure had a) risen OR b) dropped to percent.

12 percent; a) risen; 36 percent. Signup and view all the answers

Many traditional blue-collar jobs done in the past by workers with ______ education now require _ and other skills that call for at least some training beyond _________.

minimal; computer; high school. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways are working and lower-middle-class people no longer as easy to tell from one another?

Similar social life, cultural style, residential patterns, and consumer preferences. Signup and view all the answers

In what two ways do members of the lower middle class and members of the working class continue to differ significantly?

Working conditions Signup and view all the answers

What aspects of social class are affected by occupation?

Economic factors, prestige, and power. Signup and view all the answers

What specific lifestyle aspects are directly affected by a person's social class position?

Social life, cultural style, residential patterns, consumer preferences. Signup and view all the answers

What are characteristics of jobs held by members of the upper-middle class?

Key decision-making positions Signup and view all the answers

What are the two major subgroups of the upper-middle class, according to Ehrenreich?

Professionals and managers. Signup and view all the answers

What do professionals and managers of the upper-middle class have in common in terms of their social and occupational lives?

Largely interchangeable skills and often move between categories. Signup and view all the answers

What three things are considered paramount among both professionals and managers in the upper-middle class?

Formal education Signup and view all the answers

What are two synonyms for upper-middle class?

Professional middle class Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the ways white collar workers from the upper-middle class are distinct from those in the lower-middle class?

They have more power and authority at work. Signup and view all the answers

White collar workers among the upper-middle class perform manual labor.

False Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do white collar workers among the upper middle class have over their lower middle class counterparts?

College degree. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the common lifestyle maintained by members of the upper-middle class.

They own spacious suburban homes and drive upscale cars. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways are the upper middle class more politically engaged than the lower middle/working classes?

Vote more consistently Signup and view all the answers

What is the example that demonstrates how the social life of upper-middle-class families is an outgrowth of their occupational lives?

The country club or dinner party often becomes a setting in which clients are entertained or colleagues are consulted. Signup and view all the answers

In what way, beyond political activism, are members of the upper middle class civically engaged?

They are more active in voluntary associations. Signup and view all the answers

What were two major reasons workers left the farms and went to work in factories during the industrial revolution?

Better-paying jobs in factories Signup and view all the answers

What jobs emerged in the 1920s that constituted the class of laborers unforeseen by Marx?

White-collar jobs in the service sector. Signup and view all the answers

What gave rise to the white collar service sector of the 1920s?

Concentration of means of production in fewer large corporate enterprises. Signup and view all the answers

What resulted from the emergence of the white collar service sector and growth of larger corporations in the 1920s?

Smaller firms were unable to compete against large corporate enterprises. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major characteristic of the post-industrial society that emerged in the 1960s?

Characterized by the production mainly of services and information. Signup and view all the answers

How was the post-industrialization of the 1960s different from the industrial economy that preceded it?

The majority of workers are white-collar rather than blue-collar. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the shift from manufacturing to service economy affect consumer spending habits?

Americans spend more on services than on manufactured goods. Signup and view all the answers

How did US involvement in WW2 help end the economic crisis of the Great Depression?

Created labor shortages and revived factories. Signup and view all the answers

What events beginning in the year 1973 caused the end of the middle class boom after WW2?

Beginning of US involvement with economic globalization, including OPEC oil prices. Signup and view all the answers

What is another word for the phenomena of the 'middle class squeeze', and what does it describe?

Bifurcation; it refers to the creation of a two-tiered wage structure. Signup and view all the answers

Where is occupational bifurcation most evident?

Service sector jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three segments of the American middle class?

Upper Middle Class; Lower Middle Class; Working Class Signup and view all the answers

How do the various segments of the US middle class differ?

Economics, power, and prestige; social life, cultural style, residential patterns, and consumer preferences. Signup and view all the answers

According to Marger, what characteristics best define the three segments of the US middle class?

They are set apart from the underclass and the power elites; they make up the bulk of the population; most social mobility occurs between these segments. Signup and view all the answers

What are the major characteristics of lower-middle class lifestyles, in terms of income?

They depend primarily on their jobs for income, lack significant wealth, and ordinarily do not own substantial assets aside from their homes. Signup and view all the answers

What are the major characteristics of occupational power for members of the lower middle class?

Little power, generally subordinate to professionals among the upper-middle class, unless they own their businesses. Signup and view all the answers

What has been the history of the American middle class?

Transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy with wealth distributed among the merchant class. Signup and view all the answers

What factors explain why the American middle class grew so rapidly after World War II?

Rising productivity in the 1950s led to rising wages and higher family incomes. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two major elements at play in the economic restructuring of the US economy over the past two decades?

<ol> <li>Emergence of new technologies 2. Development of a global economy.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the major characteristics of Reich's major categories, and what problems do these segments face?

Each segment is affected differently by the internationalized labor market, leading to competition and job insecurity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'official' definition of poverty in the U.S.?

Officially defined as three times the cost of a nutritionally adequate diet. Signup and view all the answers

Has the government definition of poverty changed over time?

False Signup and view all the answers

When did the US government first begin to keep official records of poverty?

1965 Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate income level the government now uses to determine if a family of four is living in poverty?

$23,492 (living in Houston), while it actually costs about $63,600 to support two adults and two kids. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'flak-generating' organizations?

Organizations funded by corporations to use publicity campaigns and lawsuits if they dislike the presentation of the news. Signup and view all the answers

About what percentage of the US population is classified as being in poverty?

13.5 % Signup and view all the answers

What are the family characteristics of people living in poverty?

Married couples: 5.4%; female-headed: 30.6%; male-headed: 14.9% Signup and view all the answers

What percentages of the major ethnic/racial groups live in poverty?

White: 9.1%; Black: 24.1%; Hispanic: 21.4%; Asian: 10.5% Signup and view all the answers

What are the absolute numbers of people in poverty by racial/ethnic classification?

White: 42 million; Black: 24 million; Hispanic: 29 million; Asian: 5 million Signup and view all the answers

What is the trend among those with incomes less than one half of the US poverty level?

Deep poverty; 6.1% of Americans/19.4 million people. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the 'working' poor?

Cannot find jobs, find jobs that don't pay well, are not eligible for benefits, and may only be temporarily poor. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the poor live in suburban and rural areas?

Metro areas: 13%; inside cities: 16.8%; suburbs: 10.8%; rural: 16.7%. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the 'underclass'?

Rely wholly on benefits or make money under the table; live in ghettos; mostly Black. Signup and view all the answers

According to lecture, what are the major findings regarding the length of time individuals remain in poverty?

23% of the population experienced at least one spell of poverty lasting 2 or more months in 2009. Signup and view all the answers

About what percentage of the labor force holds a bad job?

Around 15% Signup and view all the answers

What has been the overall effect of welfare programs on reducing poverty in the United States?

Most beneficial: Social Security, Tax Refunds, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income, Housing Subsidies, Unemployment, TANF, WIC. Signup and view all the answers

How have cash transfer policies affected poverty rates in the US?

Events in the underground economy often go unreported, resulting in unaccounted earnings and taxes. Signup and view all the answers

Why are poverty rates lower in European nations than in the United States?

Signup and view all the answers

What is 'partyism'?

Political label that serves as a prerequisite for membership in a particular political group; political discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

According to the information presented in lecture, what is the relationship between living in poorer US counties and life expectancy?

Signup and view all the answers

Is the relationship between life expectancy and poverty the same for men and women? If not, how do they differ?

It's worse for men than women; women lose 3.3 years, men lose 4.6 years. Signup and view all the answers

Has the nature of the relationship between life expectancy and living in more economically depressed counties changed over the last 20 years?

Yes, as the median county household income increases, life expectancy increases. Signup and view all the answers

What does a working class neighborhood look like?

Made up of modest single-family dwellings or perhaps mobile homes. Signup and view all the answers

What are some leisure activities enjoyed by members of the upper/lower-middle classes and the working class?

Upper/lower-middle classes: ski/golf; Working class: bowl/hunt. Signup and view all the answers

What are some common vacations enjoyed by members of the upper/lower-middle classes and the working class?

Upper/lower-middle classes: travel abroad; Working class: road trips which may or may not be in an RV. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it common for work and play to intermingle in the lives of professionals and managers of the upper-middle class?

Much personal fulfillment is derived from these occupational roles. Signup and view all the answers

TRUE/FALSE: People in the working class who have jobs doing routine tasks and unskilled labor are often required to mix work and play.

False Signup and view all the answers

Working class politics: liberal on issues; conservative on issues.

Fiscal/economic; social. Signup and view all the answers

Upper-middle class politics: liberal on issues; conservative on issues.

Social; fiscal/economic. Signup and view all the answers

Except among ____________ members, people in the working class tend to be less active in politics than members of intermediate classes.

Union. Signup and view all the answers

Are American working-class people more politically active than their counterparts in contemporary industrial societies?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason identified by Marger for the absence of a major socialist or labor party in the United States?

Idea of individual achievement. Signup and view all the answers

Why do workers not refuse the capitalist system in favor of a system more sympathetic to the plight of the working class?

They do not see capitalists as the opposition; instead, they see themselves as future capitalists. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

American Middle Class Segments

Comprises Upper Middle Class, Lower Middle Class, and Working Class.
Differences between segments include economics, power, prestige, social life, cultural style, residential patterns, and consumer preferences.

Characteristics of the Middle Class

Members are distinguished from the underclass and power elites.
Collectively form a substantial portion of the population.
Social mobility is prevalent among these segments.

Lower-Middle Class Characteristics

Income varies by occupation but generally lacks significant wealth.
Primarily rely on jobs for income with few assets beyond homes.
Occupational power is limited, often subordinate to upper-middle-class professionals.

Historical Context of the Middle Class

American middle class development diverged from Europe, lacking aristocratic and peasant classes.
Industrialization shifted wealth and power from landowners to the "merchant class" (bourgeoisie) in the U.S.
Post-World War II, the middle class expanded rapidly due to rising productivity and wages.

Economic Restructuring

Recent decades have seen the emergence of new technologies and a global economy affecting class structures.
Different impacts on upper-middle class (symbolic analysts), routine production workers, and routine personal service workers.

Poverty Definitions and Government Records

Official poverty is defined as three times the cost of a nutritionally adequate diet.
The poverty threshold for a family of four is approximately $23,492, while actual living costs are higher.
Official records began in 1965; the definition of poverty has not changed.

Poverty Statistics

Approximately 13.5% of the U.S. population lives in poverty.
Family poverty rates vary: 5.4% for married couples, 30.6% for female-headed, and 14.9% for male-headed families.
Ethnicity significantly affects poverty rates, with 24.1% of Black, 21.4% of Hispanic, and 10.5% of Asian populations classified as poor.

Deep Poverty and the Working Poor

Deep poverty affects 6.1% of Americans, amounting to 19.4 million, with 45% of those in poverty classified as deeply poor.
Working poor face job scarcity, low wages, and ineligibility for benefits, often remaining temporarily in poverty.

Characteristics of the Underclass

Typically relies on benefits or engages in informal labor market activities.
Commonly resides in impoverished areas and predominantly comprises Black individuals.

Political Engagement and Class Characteristics

Lower middle-class political participation is limited primarily to voting; upper middle-class members are more actively engaged.
Working-class individuals tend to be less politically active than their counterparts in other industrial societies.

Occupational Structure and Education

Lower-middle class often holds more than a high school education; working class is the least educated.
Common occupations include small business owners and technicians; many working-class jobs require minimal education and involve manual labor.

Changing Labor Dynamics

The "proletarianization of the white-collar worker" refers to the blurring of lines between blue-collar and white-collar jobs due to deskilling and technological advancements.
Factory jobs now demand higher education and skills, reflecting the shift towards service sector jobs since the 1970s.

The working class has a distinct subculture characterized by earlier marriages and more patriarchal family structures.
Economic assets are typically limited to homes and cars, with income variability depending on skills and occupations.

Leisure and Lifestyle

Upper and lower middle classes engage in leisure activities like golf and traveling abroad, while working-class members may prefer bowling or road trips.
Working-class families often balance work and leisure distinctly, as opposed to the upper-middle class where personal fulfillment is intertwined with occupation.

Overall Class Dynamics

Social class affects values, consumer preferences, lifestyle choices, and political leanings, adding complexity to American society's structure.### Social Life and Cultural Style
Members of various social classes share neighborhoods, speak similarly, dress alike, and display equal education levels.
Parenting styles, home furnishing preferences, and leisure activities show cultural uniformity across social classes.

Differences Between Lower Middle Class and Working Class

Job security is higher for lower middle-class members compared to the working class.
Working conditions vary significantly, impacting stability and employee experiences.

Occupation influences key aspects such as economic status, prestige, and power.
Social class affects social life, cultural style, housing patterns, and consumer behavior.

Upper-Middle-Class Jobs

Upper-middle-class professionals hold decision-making roles, such as doctors, lawyers, and corporate executives.
Other roles include university professors, media producers, and high-ranking government bureaucrats.

Subgroups of the Upper-Middle Class

The upper-middle class is categorized into two main groups: professionals and managers.
Professionals and managers often possess interchangeable skills and share similar social and occupational networks.

Commonalities Among Upper-Middle Class Professionals

Priorities include formal education, stable careers, and comfortable retirements for themselves and their children.
They tend to live in similar neighborhoods and mingle within the same social circles.

Distinctions in Job Authority

Upper-middle-class white-collar workers exert more power at work compared to their lower-middle-class counterparts, making independent decisions.
Both classes perform mental work and are distinct from manual laborers.

Educational Impact

Upper-middle-class workers typically hold college degrees, granting them social prestige and higher earnings.

Consumer Behavior of the Upper-Middle Class

Luxurious lifestyles include spacious suburban homes, upscale cars, and a tendency towards trendy consumer habits.

Political Engagement

Upper-middle-class individuals are more politically active, voting consistently and contributing financially to campaigns.
Their social activities often coincide with occupational pursuits, such as networking at country clubs.

Civic Engagement

Members of the upper-middle class are actively involved in voluntary associations beyond political activism.

Industrial Revolution Migration

Automation and the search for better-paying factory jobs in cities led to mass migration from farms to urban settings.

Emergence of the White Collar Class

The 1920s witnessed the rise of white-collar jobs in the service sector, forming a new middle class of salaried workers.

Growth of Corporate Bureaucracies

Long-term economic consolidation led to fewer firms, dominated by large corporate structures with specialized roles.

Characteristics of Post-Industrial Society

Emerged in the 1960s, the post-industrial society focuses on services and information rather than manufacturing goods.

Shift from Manufacturing to Service Economy

Workers transitioned from blue-collar to white-collar jobs, emphasizing theoretical knowledge over practical skills.

Changes in Consumer Spending Habits

A shift towards increased consumer spending on services over manufactured goods impacted labor market demands for service workers.

Economic Restructuring Due to WWII

U.S. entry into WWII in 1941 revitalized the economy through labor demand and women's workforce participation.

Post-WWII Economic Prosperity

After WWII, the U.S. maintained economic strength by being the only industrialized nation intact and responding to consumer demand.

Middle-Class Boom Decline

Economic globalization and the OPEC oil crisis starting in 1973 marked the decline of the post-WWII middle-class boom.

Middle-Class Squeeze Phenomenon

Also known as bifurcation, this phenomenon refers to the growing disparity within job opportunities and income levels.

Occupational Bifurcation

Most evident in the service sector, job characteristics range from unskilled positions at the bottom, clerical roles in the middle, to trained professionals at the top.

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Social Class & Mobility Exam #2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is implied by the phrase 'proletarianization of the white collar worker'?

What are two things that contributed to the 'proletarianization of the white collar worker'?

What sort of educational background is common among those drifting towards service sector jobs in the mid-1970s?

In 1973, only ______ percent of factory workers had some college training. By 2000, that figure had a) risen OR b) dropped to ______ percent.

Many traditional blue-collar jobs done in the past by workers with ______________ education now require _______________ and other skills that call for at least some training beyond ______________ _________________.

In what ways are working and lower-middle-class people no longer as easy to tell from one another?

In what two ways do members of the lower middle class and members of the working class continue to differ significantly?

What aspects of social class are affected by occupation?

What specific lifestyle aspects are directly affected by a person's social class position?

What are characteristics of jobs held by members of the upper-middle class?

What are the two major subgroups of the upper-middle class, according to Ehrenreich?

What do professionals and managers of the upper-middle class have in common in terms of their social and occupational lives?

What three things are considered paramount among both professionals and managers in the upper-middle class?

What are two synonyms for upper-middle class?

What are some of the ways white collar workers from the upper-middle class are distinct from those in the lower-middle class?

White collar workers among the upper-middle class perform manual labor.

What advantage do white collar workers among the upper middle class have over their lower middle class counterparts?

Describe the common lifestyle maintained by members of the upper-middle class.

In what ways are the upper middle class more politically engaged than the lower middle/working classes?

What is the example that demonstrates how the social life of upper-middle-class families is an outgrowth of their occupational lives?

In what way, beyond political activism, are members of the upper middle class civically engaged?

What were two major reasons workers left the farms and went to work in factories during the industrial revolution?

What jobs emerged in the 1920s that constituted the class of laborers unforeseen by Marx?

What gave rise to the white collar service sector of the 1920s?

What resulted from the emergence of the white collar service sector and growth of larger corporations in the 1920s?

What is the major characteristic of the post-industrial society that emerged in the 1960s?

How was the post-industrialization of the 1960s different from the industrial economy that preceded it?

In what way did the shift from manufacturing to service economy affect consumer spending habits?

How did US involvement in WW2 help end the economic crisis of the Great Depression?

What events beginning in the year 1973 caused the end of the middle class boom after WW2?

What is another word for the phenomena of the 'middle class squeeze', and what does it describe?

Where is occupational bifurcation most evident?

What are the three segments of the American middle class?

How do the various segments of the US middle class differ?

According to Marger, what characteristics best define the three segments of the US middle class?

What are the major characteristics of lower-middle class lifestyles, in terms of income?

What are the major characteristics of occupational power for members of the lower middle class?

What has been the history of the American middle class?

What factors explain why the American middle class grew so rapidly after World War II?

What are the two major elements at play in the economic restructuring of the US economy over the past two decades?

What are the major characteristics of Reich's major categories, and what problems do these segments face?

What is the 'official' definition of poverty in the U.S.?

Has the government definition of poverty changed over time?

When did the US government first begin to keep official records of poverty?

What is the approximate income level the government now uses to determine if a family of four is living in poverty?

What are 'flak-generating' organizations?

About what percentage of the US population is classified as being in poverty?

What are the family characteristics of people living in poverty?

What percentages of the major ethnic/racial groups live in poverty?

What are the absolute numbers of people in poverty by racial/ethnic classification?

What is the trend among those with incomes less than one half of the US poverty level?

What are the characteristics of the 'working' poor?

What percentage of the poor live in suburban and rural areas?

What are the characteristics of the 'underclass'?

According to lecture, what are the major findings regarding the length of time individuals remain in poverty?

About what percentage of the labor force holds a bad job?

What has been the overall effect of welfare programs on reducing poverty in the United States?

How have cash transfer policies affected poverty rates in the US?

Why are poverty rates lower in European nations than in the United States?

What is 'partyism'?

According to the information presented in lecture, what is the relationship between living in poorer US counties and life expectancy?

Is the relationship between life expectancy and poverty the same for men and women? If not, how do they differ?

Has the nature of the relationship between life expectancy and living in more economically depressed counties changed over the last 20 years?

What does a working class neighborhood look like?

What are some leisure activities enjoyed by members of the upper/lower-middle classes and the working class?

What are some common vacations enjoyed by members of the upper/lower-middle classes and the working class?

Why is it common for work and play to intermingle in the lives of professionals and managers of the upper-middle class?

TRUE/FALSE: People in the working class who have jobs doing routine tasks and unskilled labor are often required to mix work and play.

Working class politics: liberal on ____________ issues; conservative on ____________ issues.

Upper-middle class politics: liberal on ____________ issues; conservative on ____________ issues.

Except among ____________ members, people in the working class tend to be less active in politics than members of intermediate classes.

Are American working-class people more politically active than their counterparts in contemporary industrial societies?

What is one reason identified by Marger for the absence of a major socialist or labor party in the United States?

Why do workers not refuse the capitalist system in favor of a system more sympathetic to the plight of the working class?

Study Notes

American Middle Class Segments

Characteristics of the Middle Class

Lower-Middle Class Characteristics

In 1973, only percent of factory workers had some college training. By 2000, that figure had a) risen OR b) dropped to percent.

Many traditional blue-collar jobs done in the past by workers with ______ education now require _ and other skills that call for at least some training beyond _________.

Working class politics: liberal on issues; conservative on issues.

Upper-middle class politics: liberal on issues; conservative on issues.