Assignment #3

By Kai Galbiso
1. Why is social stratification universal?
Social stratification is the division of society into groups arranged in a social hierarchy.
Meaning that there are different social status within a culture and society. For example, within
the United States we have Underclass (5% of population), Working Poor (15% of population),
Working Level (30% of population), Lower-Middle Class (34% of population), Upper Middle
Class (15% of population) and the one percenters, the Capitalist (1% of population). Even in the
United States, where are men are created equal, there is still social status where peoples social
class is based off of economic wealth. So why is social stratification so universal? Social
stratification is universal because no matter what country one may live in or travel to, there will
always be some kind of hierarchy of social classes. It is universal because no matter the country
or society one is in, the same rule of stratification can be found.
2. PG 245 in your book look at Figure 8.10 Under For Your Consideration the
prompt is With education so important for obtaining jobs that pay well, in light of
figure 8.10, what programs would you suggest for helping women attain more education?
What policies would you suggest for reducing child poverty? Think about the other side.
How would we be able to help single dads? Be specific and practical.
Because this question is opinion oriented, these are my suggestion of policies. A program that I
would suggest in order to help women attain more education would be to push post-secondary
education and to have afterschool programs for young adults where education is looked at as
beneficial rather than a time orienting task that isnt worth it. In order to improve the education
of women, and all people for this matter, we need a change in mindset of equality (economically

especially), and we need motivating peers that can be examples for the young women and men of
tomorrow. A policy that I would suggest for changing and reducing child poverty would be that
we need to change our culture of poverty (Calbraith). Culture of poverty is the way of life that
perpetuates poverty from one generation to the next. This unfortunate mindset keeps the people
of poverty as the victim, which leads to a cycle of poverty that jumps from generation to the
next. In order for us to change that, we would have to make the povern feel as they are no longer
the victim and provide areas of poverty with better school funding that helps generate a
education system that is up to par with the rest of the nation. In the most specific and practical
way to help single dads would be the same thing as helping a single mom.
3. Do you agree that the dominant forms of masculinity and femininity are changing,
that we are developing femininities and masculinities? What have you experienced to
indicate this is correct or incorrect? How about the authors statement that homophobia
will decrease?
I agree with the statement that the dominant forms of masculinity and femininity are changing
and that it is now more acceptable for female and male to choose to be more masculine and/or
feminine. In our society today, it is now acceptable and legal for couples of the same sex to get
married, to come out as a transgender, and to come out as transvestite. I have experienced a
new law of legalization of same sex marriage, which is a huge impact for the LGBT community
as well as the general society. Some other personal experiences that indicate social change with
this topic is that I have some family who are homosexual and they are treated no different than
anyone else (how it should be). Also, at SLCC, the community at SLCC has become very
accepting because I have seen transvestite(s) at school and every person that I have seen has no
problem and accepts the person for who he/she is. I also think homophobia will decrease. Just

like anything else, when the times change, so do ideals, social norms, and culture. Within the
last 10 years alone, homesexuality has been far more accepted than it used to be, and it is now
legal nation wide. With new generations come new ideas, thoughts, and motives; as well as a
modified, better version of culture. Where potentially gender and sex will no longer be a
social problem.