Reflect on the concept of social stratification, the way in which a society uses categories to rank people based on a variety of factors, presented in Chapter 9.
Review the concepts presented in Chapters 11 (race and ethnic groups), 12 (sex, gender and sexuality), 13 (age), 14 (marriage and family), 15 (religion in the US), & 16 (education).
Now answer the following questions using information from the reading and examples from your own experiences.
1. Define dominant group and minority group according to the reading in Chapter 11.
2. Consider the categories you would be associated with in regards to all of the following: race, ethnic group, sex, gender, sexuality/sexual orientation, age, family form, religious affiliation, and education. Identify as many of the categories you would fit into as much as you are comfortable doing.
For example, using myself, I am considered White/Caucasian/Non-Hispanic, a female who is heterosexual, middle aged, born and raised in a nuclear family, considered a “single parent” as the result of my divorce, raised Catholic now participating in a Christian non-denominational religious organization, attended private school in elementary school and high school, and have earned a Mater’s Degree. These are the categories into which I belong.
3. Referring back to the definition of dominant group, discuss which categories provide you a ranking that is part of the dominant group. In what ways does your identification with categories that are part of the dominant group provide you advantages in society?
4. Referring back tot he definition of minority group, discuss which categories place you into a minority group by definition. How do these identities put you in a position of potential or actual disadvantage?
For example, using myself I will provide just one of each to get you going, but you must address ALL of the categories from the chapters.
As a person who has earned a Master’s Degree I am part of the dominant group in society. Educated people in society tend to have more power than uneducated people. The advantages of having a Master’s Degree are that I am considered an expert in my field and have a good career earning a comfortable salary with benefits.
As a person who is a woman, I fit into a category of people who have experienced prejudice and discrimination in society. Women had to “fight” to earn rights like the right to vote and earn equal wages. Personally, I have experienced being passed over for a job for a man who was hired instead. I believe, although I cannot prove, that my sex was the reason I was not considered for the job.
