Wright (1981)

*relational-determined by objective position within  the economy

*gradational-social clas is simply position in vertical "layers" called "strate"

1) wealth - total wealth, not just income

2)Status- has to do with prestige of your occupation- same across countries

3)power - ability to get others to obey you especially against their will

*occupation is best summary of SES

*used to be husbands occupation

*confusing with dual career and single parent families

*occupation of primary bread winner best way

*perception of material interests shared with others in the same class

*common culture:

-worldview

-style of line

-values, ideals etc

*single mothers households are the most important reason for poverty today

*leads to chronic poverty

*family is the basic unit of social class which largely influences the life circumstances of its members

-family helps you get to where u are

*"system of class reproduction" -marx

*dual -earner potential key and dual access to income

*want to work harder bc people rely on you

*married men make more money

*1960 - 1/4 poor fam single moms > 1996 over 1/2 were

* PISIS longitudinal study - temporary poor were married - 61% of chronic poor were single moms

*average drop of 20% in standard living

*Mare and Tzeng

-parents have kids later in life - kids do better in occupation, education and income

*more nc they saved

*delay kids have better ed

*delay kids have fewer kids and thus more $

*shift to more ed required for more jobs

*more part time and "contract" jobs with little to no benefits

*less real income and steady employment for low skills and less educated

Blau and Duncans

*education is the key vehicle thro whcih fathers transfer statustosons

-used to be transfer of wealth

-how making sure they got good ed.

- less dependent on parents income to get a good education

Working class parent

*conformity to others expectations

*punished based on behaviors, consequences, of their actions

*parenting sex-divided-father is disciplinarian, mom is supportive

*independence and self expressive

*punishment based on motives, intent

*parenting more sex-equal and sex shared

*job where you determine how you are going to get to your goals vs. everything is given to you

*authoritarian (low OSD parent) middle

*democratic (high OSD parents) working

*we raise our children to succeed in the world as we know it

-get married younger in lower and working

-age of 1st child is younger in low and work

-middle class are more likely to marry someone different than themselves

-family size less in middle than low and work class

-sex role differences in less in middle than low and work

-husband and fathers role is less secure in low and work than upper and middle

Social Class Variation

Child Rearing  

*middle - more egalitarian, democratic and individual express

*Working - authoritarian and behavioral and obedience

-*chronic poor - inconsistent parenting

*middle emphasize delayed gratification

*working and lower define success more modestly

Other class variations (wider relationships)

*middle more residentially mobile

*middle have "networks" while working have friends

*middle- emphasize work as source of satisfaction

*middle- more intellectual and relational work

*Working and lower- manual and instrumental work

*Middle- focus on nuclear family

*Working and lower- more on extended kin as well

*Middle- have more valued friends vs. homogenous working and lower