Class and Global Inequality

Chapter 9

This chapter is about the structure of the class system and the role it plays in society and the role the different roles play in society. It speaks about Marx's theory of relationships to production; and Weber's theory on people's "life chances: the likelihood a person has of obtaining valued economic and cultural resources." (Experience Sociology p.234) and "individual mobility: a change in a person's class position that occurs without any change in the larger class structure." (E.S. p. 229) I find this chapter to be factual evidence of information I was told for most of my life. While Professor A. mentioned while he was growing up he was under the impression that he was middle class, when in fact he realizes as an adult that he was a part of the working class. This was enforced in my house hold growing up my mother would continuously remind us (my two big brothers and I) to do well in school, and put education first so we can be better. She did not want us to be a part of the working class, struggling living paycheck to paycheck and working two jobs to make ends meet. Although society is not equal, through education and hard work individual mobility can be achieved. As a woman  brought up in the working class. This chapter is easy for me to connect with my life, there are factors like the definition of the "working class: those who survive on the wages they earn." (E.S. p.222) The association between women and poverty; "feminization of poverty: a trend in which women made up an increasingly large share of the poor." (E.S. p.234) While there is not true equal opportunity through life chance "cultural capital: various types of knowledge, skills, and other cultural resources." (E.S. p.235) can be used towards "meritocracy: the notion that people are rewarded and are able to advance because of their abilities." (E.S. p.234) which can influence individual mobility.



Cause of Death: Inequality

The author Alejandro Reuss starts out by discussing the inequality that is not broadcasted in death and how the less educated, less fortunate, and African Americans, seem to suffer more then and are not as healthy as well educated, more fortunate Whites. The lower your rank in society "the worse your health and the shorter your life are likely to be" (Cause of Death: Inequality p.1) While the less fortunate people in America have more materialist advantages than other less fortunate people in different countries; the suffering in health is equally as bad. I do strongly agree with the health disadvantages associated with class, race,  gender, education, and income is extravagant. I feel personally connected to this because, my grandparents Black immigrants from Jamaica that have lived here for over 30 years of their lives. All have extreme sickness heprobably kidney problems, high blood pressure,  glaucoma and/or diabetes. This is in all four grandparents, three out of four have high blood pressure and diabetes; and the other has all the listed sicknesses. With all these health issues it will be difficult to experience long lasting life.




Signed; The Outlook Blogger.