Deck 7: D: Social Inequality

Question 1

Develop an essay that gives a sociologically grounded explanation for the growing need for food banks across the relatively rich nation of Canada.

Answer 1

Essays will vary,but students are required to demonstrate a solid sociological grasp of inequality as socially structured and ideologically supported.Students could provide examples of the poor getting poorer while the rich get richer.

Question 2

Identify four of the seven factors influencing social inequality in Canada and explain their contribution to the current social hierarchy.

Answer 2

The seven factors influencing social inequality are geographic location,gender,work status,age,education,family structure,and visible minority status.Students need to identify four of these and explain how they contribute to social inequality in Canada.

Question 3

Some sociologists critique the idea that wealth and prestige are granted based on fair and just criteria.Expand this idea by critiquing the concept of meritocracy.

Answer 3

Students should discuss the ideology of classism,the perspective of blaming the system (possibly the perspective of blaming the victim),and conflict theory.
A meritocracy is a system of rewards wherein people in society can achieve wealth and status through individual attributes.A meritocracy reinforces the ideological assumption that people achieve what they deserve.

Question 4

Explain the functionalist Davis-Moore thesis and then provide two of the criticisms of its application within society.With reference to Max Weber's concepts of class,status,and party explain how this theory fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of social inequality in society.

Question 5

While conversing with a friend over coffee,you overhear someone say,"In Canada,anybody can be successful if they work hard enough! Why are they so lazy (referring to an individual or group of individuals)?" After hearing these comments,you decide to confront the individual.Using sociological insight,outline what you would say.

Question 6

In your opinion,is Canada a closed system or an open system and why? Describe how Canada may possess both elements of caste and meritocracy through social stratification.Provide examples to support your answer.

Question 7

Develop an essay discussing the concept of the "American Dream." What idea is this concept based on? What are some of the criticisms that sociologists direct toward the concept of the "American Dream?"

Question 8

Given Weber's concepts of class,status,and party,how can an individual possess a higher socioeconomic status than another individual who is making more money? Use examples of at least two occupations to support your answer.

Question 9

Imagine that your hometown has an unemployment problem,and serious debates are going on about how to resolve it.Develop two arguments that could be given about how to solve the problem-one from a "blaming the victim" perspective and one from a "blaming the system" perspective.Which members/classes of your hometown do you think would be most likely to make each of these arguments? Which perspective do you find most persuasive and why?

Question 10

Focusing upon a particular policy issue that is of interest to you (e.g. ,social assistance/welfare),develop an essay in which you explain the relationship between social policy and conceptions of poverty.