Sociology

• Ascribed status


  status you are born with based on family background, usually cannot be changed. (Age, ethnic group, sex)
• Achieved status


  A social position that a person attains largely through his or her own efforts
• Perspectives


  Sociological perspectives are ideologies that have a particular way of looking at society
• Theories/ explanations

  Sociological theories and explanations are ideas from particular sociologists. These ideas are based on what they have seen and what they aim to prove.
• Functionalism


  -Functionalism is a consenus theory

  -This means that they believe that society has basic needs for survival and therefore social order is essential.

  -This requires co-operation- maintained by shared norms and values, socialisation and social control.

  -Functionalists also believe that society consists of social institutions

  -These institutions reinforce societies norms and values

  What institutions are Functionalists referring to?

  -Education, the family, political systems, the law etc.

  -This functions as an organic body
• Evaluation of Functionalism


  -Functionalists see social disorder as a temporary disturbance to the system.

  -The theory is criticised for being deterministic. Individuals are seen to lack free will, initiative, and creativity and are merely puppets on a string!

  -This theory also ignores the consequences of social disorder on the individual!
• Marxism


  -Marxism is a conflict theory

  -Conflict is based on CLASS - social groups are in conflict because their interests are opposed.

  -Social order is imposed by the powerful ruling class (the bourgeoisie) over the working class (the proletariat).

  -There is no value consensus but a prevailing IDEOLOGY. This is a set of beliefs and values which disguise and distort reality.

  -People are unaware of the conflict of interest and this lack of awareness maintains social order.

  -The proletariat have a false class consciousness that the media and education has created.

  -This is what stops the proletariat from rebelling or fighting back and overthrowing capitalism.
• Feminism


  -Men have exploited women for a long time - patriarchy

  -Patriarchy exists in the family, the work place, the government and throughout society

  -The level of exploitation reflects the economic organization of the time

  -Men can exploit women because childbirth makes them vulnerable (imagine a woman's life without birth control even today)

  -The fact that men are physically stronger than women comes into it but is exaggerated by gender role socialization
• Interactionism


  -The social action view sees us as having free will and choice.

  -It emphasises the power of individuals to create society through their actions and interactions.
• 1. work and life chance

  -->Gini (1988)

  -Work is more than producing goods or services

  -Within work, you are expected to develop yourself, as well as provide a service

  -You also 'become' your job role
• Significance of work


  -->Work is significant to each individual in various ways:

  -Occupying time-Working tends to take up most of our day/ week/ life!

  -Non- discretionary- Some of us don't have a choice. We need to work to earn money and to maintain our identity

  -Social identity-Majority of people at some point experience work. It is one of the things we all share as adults. We often use 'work' as a signpost of adulthood

  -Status-Another signpost for our identity. Our work can determine our status, and in most cases, our social class
• Parker (1971, 1976)


  -According to Parker, our occupations have important influences on our leisure activities

  -The way we experience work, how we engage at work also determines our leisure time
• Criticisms of Parker


  -->Roberts (1978, 1986) and Clarke and Critcher (1985):

  -Parker ignores the choices that people can make in regards to leisure activities

  -Parker also fails to mention that leisure activities can vary even within those who share the same occupation

  -->McIntosh (1988) and Deem (1990), Feminists:

  -Parker ignores the influence of gender on leisure activities

  -The focus tends to be on full- time male workers

  -As women mainly work part- time, they leisure is more so influenced by domestic labour/ juggling the dual burden
• End of work thesis

  -->Doherty (2009)

  -According to Doherty, work has in fact lost its significance in people's lives

  -Due to deskilling, degradation and alienation, there is little incentive to be attached to work
• Life chances


  -->Life chances: the opportunities people have to gain what they desire and avoid the undesirables throughout all societies

  -As most people work to earn money, it cannot be ignored that work can define our social class

  -If life chances are affected by our class, work can also have a major influence
• Because of this, work can influence life chance in the following ways:

  -->Fitness of physical and mental health: Those of working age tend to have better physical and mental health

  -->Educational opportunities for children: Children have roles to aspire to; parents may also be able to afford educational support in and out of school to enhance their achievement

  -->Better diet: Potentially, with a steady income, those who work can afford a suitable and regular diet

  -->Better housing: Most people that work can afford suitable shelter for themselves; some people can afford to move on to better accommodation/ fix faults
• 2. What is Globalisation

  -->The process by which the world has and is becoming increasingly interconnected

  -->Societies across the world can communicate any time and in various ways, communication is immediate

  -->Jobs, money, technology and raw materials can move across national borders quickly and easily
• Wage Penalty'


  -->Edgell (2011):

  -Globalisation has contributed to the rise in non standard jobs

  -This is because of the growing international demands and competition

  -Edgell highlights that those in non- standard jobs suffer a 'wage penalty'. This wage penalty is on average 15%

  -Temporary workers, agency staff, zero- hour contracts denies workers access to paid sick leave, paid holiday

  -These workers in particular are also more likely to have inflexible, repetitive and tasks such as night and weekend shift
• Migration and work


  -->In June 2016, Britain had voted to leave the EU (the ordeal was dubbed as Brexit)

  -->One of the core media campaigns behind Brexit was the rate of immigration and its threat to employment in Britain

  -->One of the effects of globalisation has been migration

  -->As globalisation is a worldwide process, majority of nation have experienced an influx of migration over the last view decades- mainly for work

  -->One of the biggest migration movements that Britain had seen in the 20th century was Windrush

  -->However, this was a request of the British Government in aid of rebuilding Britain after WWII and replenishing the workforce
• So what is the difference in contemporary society?

  -Globalisation has impacted the flow of workers to and from the UK. Gratton (2012) states that 'transnationals' are a result of globalisation on work

  -->Unfortunately, not all migrants have been received in a positive manor as result of globalisation on work

  -->MacKinnon et al (2011) found that many communities are deeply affected by globalisation

  -->According to MacKinnon, this has resulted in job insecurity, lack of empowerment, change in work conditions and pay

  -->This has led to tension between particular social groups to which the media and government has used to their advantage
• Core vs. Periphery


  -->Atkinson (1984)

  -The pressure of globalisation has divided the workforce into 'core' and 'periphery' workers

  -Operating in primary and secondary labour markets (sometimes referred to as the dual labour market)
• Growing insecurity at work


  -1 in 4 people in employment were working part-time

  -1.6 million temporary workers

  -1/3 temporary workers can't find permanent work

  -29% men working PT as can't find FT work

  -12% women working PT as can't find FT work
• Casualization of the workforce

  -This refers to people only being employed by companies as and when required

  -Only being employed on part-time or temporary contracts

  -Employees are expected to work flexible hours, shift-work, over-time and six day weeks to keep up with consumer demands
• 3. Worklessness


  -->Worklessness is a term used to describe those who are not in employment. This may include:

  -Those who choose to be unemployed

  -Those who may have been made redundant

  -Those who may be unable to find employment
• The impact


  -->Worklessness can appear at any stage in an individuals life

  -->This stage of unemployment is likely to impact an individuals identity, confidence and motivation

  -->Many of those experiencing homelessness and worklessness spoke about feeling socially excluded, depressed and disenchanted
• Measuring worklessness


  -The Unemployment rate: The percentage of the economically active population who are unemployed

  -Economically active population: Those in the population who are either at work or looking for/ available to work

  -The claimant count: The unemployed who are available for and are actively seeking work, and who are in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance

  -The International Labour Organisation (ILO): Internationally agreed definition of unemployment. Includes:

  -Those who do not have a job, Those actively seeking work in the last four week and that are available in the next two weeks

  Out of work, Those who have found a job and are due to start in the next two weeks, May or may not be claiming Job Seekers Allowance.
• So who is most at risk?

  -Young people lack a variety of skills and experience in comparison to the older working population, whereas the elderly possess skills that may now be viewed as 'redundant'.

  -Men are more likely to be in higher paid, full time positions. Although this is beneficial, in times of economic crisis, these positions are hit the hardest

  -In the UK 12% of mixed heritage groups, 13% of Bangladeshi, 15% of Black African/ Caribbean and 17% Pakistanis were unemployed as of 2012. White people made up 5% of unemployment rates

  -As we know, those that are disabled are more at risk of experiencing poverty. A contributing factor is worklessness. For manual workers, their occupation puts them at risk of losing their jobs as these roles are seen as 'replaceable