Preview

Occupation: A Major Determinant of Social Class and Status in Industrial Societies

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
772 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Occupation: A Major Determinant of Social Class and Status in Industrial Societies
SOCIAL DIFFERETIATION AND STRATIFICATION

Question: How far is occupation the major determinant of both social class and status in Industrial societies?

In our society today, it is argued if occupation is the major determinant of both social class and status in industrial societies. Occupation is defined as an individual’s regular work or profession, job or regular activity performed for payment that occupies one’s time. Occupation has been viewed both negatively and positively as the major determinant of both social class and status. Industrial societies are those driven by the use of technology to enable mass production, supporting a large population with a high capacity for division of labour. Status and class are both supported by factors that influence occupation such as race, education, community size, family status, income of workers and measured intelligence.

It is greatly supported that occupation is the major determinant of both social class and status in industrial societies, for example, if an individual is brought up either in a rich or poor family and becomes educated to an extent of achieving a higher national degree such as a P.H.D or a M.D. such an individual is bound to earn a higher status and class in a society. For instance, a neurosurgeon can achieve a higher status and class as they may be earning a higher income as compared to a general doctor at a local clinic situated in a local town. Another example may be that of a lecturer at a university and a teacher at a school, because a lecturer earns a higher salary as compared to a teacher his/her status is higher. Their level of education is also considered as the lecturer is usually more educated than a teacher, thus he/she earns higher prestige in an industrial society.

Family status may also be another factor out of many which influences one’s status or class. Taking for example, if an individual was to be born into a wealthy and influential family, they would have attained an ascribed

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Essay On Social Class

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Society is made up of hierarchy and social classes. The roles of social class in our current social is based upon income. There are the upper class (high income), upper-middle class, middle class (average income), lower-middle class, and underclass (no income). Depending on your education, career and skills, you are ranked by these classes. Wealth is a term meaning the amount of net worth on income, property, and other valuables. Wealth is depicted through our social class in our current society. We rate each other by the amount of money you have or make. Social mobility is the ability to move from one class to another. In the U.S., people are easily able to between classes. For example, if an individual claims bankrupt, they may be changed into a lower class. Another example is if a lower class citizen is determined to enhance their education to earn a well-paid job, they will be able to change their class for the better. Social classes constructs a society.…

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Social Class in America

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages

    America is a complex and diverse web of individuals marked by social stratification, a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy (Macionis, 2011, p.204). The film People Like Us: Social Class in America discusses the class system, social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement, which the American people use to define others (Macionis, 2011, p.206). It explores the many variables that contribute to the determination of a person’s class; such as, ancestry, education, and money. Ancestry will be a main focus because it has such a strong influence on the class system of today. The film provided an informative and entertaining basis for understanding inequality within our nation.…

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Let us begin by looking at social status. What is a social status? Social Status is a person's place, standing or importance in regards to other people within a society. Social status was created by people to categorize wealth and instil superiority. Economic status or social status categories vary from country to country, and in some countries social categories may not even exist. In the Next, what are these social positions in the United States? It all begins with the poor/unemployed/homeless, then jumps to working class otherwise known as the lower…

    • 1116 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Health inequalities

    • 1886 Words
    • 5 Pages

    A number of different measures can be used to indicate socioeconomic position. These include occupation, amount and type of education, access to or ownership of various assets, and indices based on residential area characteristics. There has been much debate as to what each indicator actually measures, and how choice of indicator influences the pattern of inequalities observed. For example, measures based on occupation…

    • 1886 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cited: Anyon, Jean. “From Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work.” Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work (Journal of Education, 1980)…

    • 2556 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Social classes are groups of people who share a similar economic position; which is based on a person's occupation, income and ownership of wealth. People in the same social class can be identified by having similar levels of education, status (prestige), lifestyle (for example living standard or consumer goods e.g. plasma TV 52' inch) and power. Traditionally the UK's class structure is associated with three-levels: the upper class, the middle class and the working class. However sociologists have noticed a change in this type of class structure and have suggested that the UK is moving away from this class formation. In this essay I am going to…

    • 385 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    But out of this it is revealed that there are several ways of achieving success. Forms…

    • 368 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Social Class is a fundamental aspect in society and can be found in all societies around the world. Aspects such as education, health, wealth, where you live, what do you do with yourself all contribute to where you as a member of society fit in. If you are a student attending a private school, living in Toorak with very wealthy parents you would be considered part of the ‘upper class’ in society, where people would generally look more highly of…

    • 81 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Social Class Matters

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Social class, although somewhat illusive in meaning, is one of the most important conceptual discussions among sociologists. Developed in the mid-eighteenth century, originally class was a process to categorize animals, plants, and any natural event not promoted by humans, such as rain, or volcanic action (Nesbit, 2005). However, a French group of intellects called Encylopédistes developed a similar classification system in which they categorized people according to their social and economic positions (Nesbit, 2005). Even though social class can be ambiguous in definition and often demonstrate inequality and discrimination, it is an important subject for every individual because at some point he or she will hold a position in a socially stratified class in society.…

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Socioeconomic Classes

    • 885 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Questions |Unemployed and Homeless |Working Class |Middle Class |Upper Middle Class |Upper Class | |Who is most likely to be a part of this socioeconomic class? |This socioeconomic class is made up of people who cannot hold a steady job. And who have temporarily lost their job. |People in this socioeconomic class work in manual labor jobs such as farm hands and construction workers. These people are called blue collar workers. |People in this group are called white collar workers. The field of work they are in consists of clerical workers, technicians and salespersons. |People who are in this socioeconomic class are professionals, managers and administrators. |In this socioeconomic class are people of wealth. Wealth that maybe inherit or worked for by judges or corporate lawyers. | |How do teacher expectations positively or negatively impact this socioeconomic class? |The teacher’s expectation of this socioeconomic class has a negative impact. The teacher’s do not expect much as they are not given much attention, so their education suffers. |Expectation for this socioeconomic class is low, they are considered unable to achieve high academic levels This has a negative impact on students in this class. |This socioeconomic class is set to higher expectations by teachers. Due to the high expectation given by teachers, students have a positive outlook on their education. |Teachers seem to look…

    • 885 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cited: Anyon, Jean. "From Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work." Rereading America. 8th ed. NY: Bedford, 2010. 169-185. Print.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The author Anyon says, “In the affluent professional school, work is creative activity carried out independently”(12). These affluent professional schools expect from their students to express and apply ideas and concept as well”(7). Thanks to what they are being taught, they are able to have multiple opportunities to work as a cardiologist, interior designer, corporate lawyer or engineer (7). As well, the upper classes also receive education from executive elite schools which presents them with a better education compared to those of the lower social classes. Anyon states that “In the executive elite school, work is developing one’s analytical intellectual powers” (14). Upper class students are already being taught to think intellectually and reason with problem, these skills allow and help them to have a better opportunity to achieve job titles such as “presidents and vice-presidents in major United States- based multinational corporations for example At&T, RCA, Citibank, American Express, U.S. Steel”(7). Therefore, according to your social status, you are eligible in receiving a poor or decent education. Depending on you’re the education you’ve received, you’ll either work by following orders or become president of a major…

    • 1281 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Inequality In Australia

    • 1382 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Class is a significant force in all societies, understanding class is crucial if we are to see how groups of people within our society have different experiences. Social stratification refers to the way society is organised within hierarchical layers (Furze,…

    • 1382 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Working Class

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Working Class, the ones that specializes in trade are seen in many parts of this country. Let it be a mechanic fixing your vehicle, the construction workers laying out roads for the public, or even the farmers who raise and bring food to our tables. All these different jobs, while required for society and communities all across the world, are usually frowned upon by many, sometimes outright shunned, and seen as a 'last resort' when it comes to partaking in that particular field of work. However, while it may look pretty bleak from an outsider's point of view, those professions people partake have way more depth when examined closely.…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Socioeconomic Status Essay

    • 1502 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Social class is measuring employment status and relative wealth and housing is linked to employment status. (Karl Marx 1813-1883). Unemployment; There is a strong correlation between worklessness and poor health. A person who is unemployed will result to higher mortality, poorer general health, long standing illness, higher medical consultation, higher admission rates etc. Work is good for health and well being. The unemployed turn to unhealthy habits. The longer the individual is unemployed for the higher the chance of a reckless behaviour. For employed individuals, they are able broaden their educational achievement and earn money to fend for their family and better their lives. They are able to set good examples for their…

    • 1502 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays

Related Topics