07 SOCIAL CLASS IN CANADA

Stratification in a Modern Society

WHAT IS SOCIAL STRATIFICATION?

• the ranking of people and the rewards they receive based on objective criteria, often including wealth, power, and/or prestige

WHAT ARE THE THEORIES BEHIND SOCIAL STRATIFICATION?

• functionalism: stratification is the result of some kind of functional balance, is inevitable, and aids in the smooth functioning of society
• conflict theory: social inequality is rooted in a system that is more likely to reward you based on where you start than on your abilities
• symbolic interactionism: a person’s particular social class affects how he or she discusses class in general
• feminist theory: because of patriarchy women are more likely than men to suffer from poverty

WHAT SOCIAL POLICIES HAVE BEEN CREATED TO EASE POVERTY?

• Working Income Tax Benefit, Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement, National Child Benefit, minimum wage