Sociology Now, Census Update

240 CHAPTER 7STRATIFICATION AND SOCIAL CLASS

7.1 Conflict between Poor and Rich in the United States

This is actual survey data from the General Social Survey, 1972–2004.

In all countries, there are differences or conflicts between different social

groups. In your opinion, in America, how much conflict is there between poor

people and rich people?In the 2000 General Social Survey, more than half of all

respondents said they thought there was either strong or very strong conflict

between the rich and the poor. Those who identified as lower class were far more

likely than others to say there was strong (47.1%) or very strong (39.2%) conflict.

With regard to race, Blacks were far more likely than Whites to report they thought

there was strong (42.9%) or very strong (27.3%) conflict.

CRITICAL THINKING|DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. The social class difference in responses was significant. Almost 90 percent of those who identi-
   fied as lower class reported thinking there was strong or very strong conflict, while only about
   60 percent of those who identified as upper class reported the same. What explains the social
   class differences?


2. Black Americans were far more likely than White Americans to report thinking there is strong
   or very strong conflict between the rich and the poor. In sociology, we study the intersections
   between race, class, and gender. How does the intersection of race and class help explain these
   survey results?

7.2 Charitable Giving

This is actual survey data from the General Social Survey, 1972–2004.

During the past 12 months, how often have you given money to a charity? Over

the past 5 years, have you contributed your time to help the needy?Data from

2002 show that most individuals gave money to a charity in the year prior to the in-

terview. Breakdown by social class shows the higher the social class, the greater the

likelihood of giving. The responses for giving time to help the needy broke down in a

similar way by social class. In addition, individuals were more likely to have given

money in the past year than time in the past 5 years.

CRITICAL THINKING|DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think the social class differences exist? They are easy to explain away by saying
   that richer people have more money to give to charity, and poor people need their money for
   basic necessities. What other sociological explanations can you come up with?

What

does

America

think

?