9780205698295

The 7 th edition of Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Consequences is intended as a broad introduction to the many types of inequality in U.S. society and in the global setting, with an emphasis on providing a wide range of explanations for their sources and offering analyses of formal policy attempts to address inequality and poverty. The text provides data from the latest research in its discussions of economic, status, political, gender, sexual, and racial/ethnic inequalities.

Charles E. Hurst grew up on the ethnic south-side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and his experiences there fostered a life-long interest in social inequality and social theory. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and later his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. He retired in 2008 as Professor of Sociology from The College of Wooster, after having taught courses on inequality in America and social theory for over 40 years. His research resulted in articles on class consciousness, status inconsistency, and socioeconomic status and health care, and most recently, Amish society. His books include The Anatomy of Social Inequality (C. V. Mosby 1979), Living Theory: The Application of Classical Social Theory to Contemporary Life, 2^nd edition (Allyn & Bacon 2005), and Social Inequality: Forms, Causes and Consequences, 7^th edition (Allyn & Bacon 2010). During the last several years, his interest in social inequality led him to conduct research on issues related to women’s status, wealth, and class distinctions within the Ohio Amish community. With a colleague, he has completed the first in-depth study of this settlement, soon to be published by Johns Hopkins University Press as An Amish Paradox: Diversity and Change in the World’s Largest Amish Community.

Preface
An Introduction to the Study of Social Inequality
Some Controversial Issues of Substance
Issues of Methodology
Organization of the Book
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Extent and Forms of Social Inequality
Economic Inequality
The Everyday Reality of Class
Two Views of U.S. Class Structure
Technology and the Shaping of the U.S. Class Structure
Income Inequality
Is the Middle Class Shrinking?
Wealth Inequality in the United States
The Global Context and the Impact of Globalization
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Status Inequality
The Theory of Social Status
Spheres of Status in the United States
Inequality in Appalachia
Globalization and Axes of Social Status
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Political Inequality
Portraits of National Power Structure
Distribution of Political Power
Interlinkage of Economic and Political Power
Ruling-Class Unity
Power Inequality in the Work Experience
Power Inequality in a Global and Globalizing Context
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Sex and Gender Inequality
The Status of Women in the Early United States
Present Occupational and Economic Conditions for Women
Microinequities in the Treatment of Women
General Theories of Sex and Gender Inequality
The Global Context and the Impact of Globalization
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Sexual Orientation and Inequality
The Complexity of Sexuality and Gender
Public Opinions on Homosexuality
Homosexuals as a Status Group
Discrimination, Legal Confusion, and Sexual Orientation
A Socioeconomic Profile of Homosexuals
Negative Consequences of Stigmatization
Globalization and Sexuality
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Racial and Ethnic Inequality
The Meaning and Creation of Race
U.S. Racial and Ethnic Relations: An Historical Sketch
Racial and Ethnic Inequality Today
Microinequities in the Treatment of Racial and Ethnic Minorities
The Intersection of Class, Race, Sex, and Gender
Theories of Racial and Ethnic Inequality
The Global Context, Immigration, and Globalization
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
General Explanations of Inequality
Classical Explanations of Inequality
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Max Weber (1864-1920)
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Marx, Weber, and Globalization
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Contemporary Explanations of Inequality
Functionalist Theory of Stratification
Theories of Social Reproduction
Labor-Market Theories of Income and Earnings Distribution
Identifying Mechanisms that Produce Inequality
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Consequences of Social Inequality
The Impact of Inequality on Personal Life Chances
Basic Life Chances: Physical Health
Basic Life Chances: Psychological Health
Basic Life Chances: Food and Shelter
Life Chances in a Global Context
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Social Consequences of Inequality
Violence in the Family
Inequality and the Measurement of Crime
Street Crime and Inequality
White-Collar Crime, Corporate Crime, and Punishment
Hate Crimes and Inequality
Structured Inequality and Collective Protests
Social Inequality and Environmental Equity
Social Consequences on a Global Scale
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Social Inequality and Social Movements
The Labor Movement
The Civil Rights Movement
The Women's Movement
Inequality, Context, and Social Movements: A Synthesis
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Stability and Change in the System of Social Inequality
Social Mobility and Status Attainment: Openness in U.S. Society
uestions Concerning Openness
omparative Studies of Mobility
tatus Attainment: What Determines How Far One Goes?
obility and Attainment Process among African Americans
atterns of Mobility and Attainment among Women
ummary
ritical Thinking
eb Connections
Justice and Legitimacy: Assessments of the Structure of Inequality
U.S. Attitudes about the Distribution of Income and Wealth
What is a Just Distribution?
Bases for the Legitimation of Structured Inequality
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Addressing Inequality and Poverty: Programs and Reforms
Confronting Inequality
The Conundrum of Defining Poverty
Levels of and Trends in Poverty
Perceptions of the Poor and Theories of Poverty
Poverty Programs
Flaws in pre-1996 Assistance Programs
Welfare Reform
Suggestions for Reducing Inequality
Summary
Critical Thinking
Web Connections
Glossary of Basic Terms
References
Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

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Social Inequality : Forms, Causes, and Consequences

Social Inequality : Forms, Causes, and Consequences

0205698298

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials