Compare your social standing to that of your parents and grandparents

Respond to two (2) of the following prompts:
Consider the social stratification of your family tree. Compare your social standing to that of your parents and grandparents. If you are unfamiliar with these people, feel free to substitute other family members or acquaintances from other generations. (USLO 3.1)
What social traits did your forebears pass down to you? Is there consistency or inconsistency in your family’s status? Which theoretical approach best describes your family’s social stratification? What changes do you anticipate for your family’s future generation? (USLO 3.1)
Consider your own experiences with social mobility. How do rules, laws, and societal structures promote wealth and poverty? Do you believe that rules, laws, and societal structure have a greater impact on social mobility than individual traits such as a strong work ethic? Do you believe social mobility has decreased or risen in recent years? How could rules, laws, and societal structures impact your future social mobility? What are some strategies for dealing with this future possibility? (USLO 3.2)
What is the relationship between subjective, absolute, and relative poverty and inequality/inequity? Who benefits from poverty, inequality, and inequity? Can policies be enacted to eliminate various forms of poverty and break the cycle of poverty? What are the advantages and disadvantages of enacting such policies? What role does the cycle of poverty play in maintaining social stratification, especially for women through the global feminization of poverty? (USLO 3.3)
Which of the three theoretical approaches (functionalist, conflict, or symbolic interactionist) would you use to explain why healthcare injustice and inequity occurs and what to do about it? (USLO 3.4)
What role does healthcare injustice play in perpetuating the system of stratification? How does the healthcare system maintain social stratification? Is healthcare injustice harming our society as a whole? (USLO 3.4)
ANSWER
Prompt 1:
I consider the social stratification of my family tree, comparing my social standing to that of my parents and grandparents. My grandparents, who grew up in a working-class environment, had limited access to education and resources. As a result, they had blue-collar jobs and struggled financially. My parents, on the other hand, made significant strides in terms of education and career opportunities. They both pursued higher education and established themselves in professional careers, significantly improving our family’s social standing.
The social traits passed down to me include a strong emphasis on education and hard work. My family believes that education is the key to social mobility, and they instilled in me the value of obtaining a good education and pursuing a career that aligns with my interests and skills. There is a consistency in my family’s status as we have progressively moved up the social ladder through each generation.
The theoretical approach that best describes my family’s social stratification is a combination of both functionalist and conflict theories. The functionalist perspective emphasizes the role of education and hard work in achieving social mobility, which aligns with my family’s values. However, the conflict theory highlights the inequalities present in society, which my grandparents experienced firsthand.
In terms of future generations, I anticipate that my family will continue to emphasize education and strive for upward mobility. However, the changing economic landscape and increased competition may require different strategies for achieving social mobility.
Prompt 3:
Social mobility is influenced by various factors, including rules, laws, and societal structures, as well as individual traits such as a strong work ethic. Rules, laws, and societal structures can either promote or hinder social mobility. For example, access to quality education, equal employment opportunities, and social safety nets can facilitate social mobility. Conversely, systemic discrimination, limited access to education, and income inequality can impede social mobility.
In recent years, social mobility has become a topic of concern, with evidence suggesting that it has decreased in some societies due to rising income inequality. Rules, laws, and societal structures play a significant role in this trend. Tax policies, minimum wage laws, and access to affordable healthcare are among the factors that impact social mobility.
The cycle of poverty is a critical aspect of maintaining social stratification, especially for women through the global feminization of poverty. Discriminatory practices, limited access to education and healthcare, and unequal pay for equal work contribute to the perpetuation of poverty, particularly among women. Breaking this cycle requires addressing systemic inequalities and enacting policies that promote gender equity and social justice.
Overall, both rules, laws, and societal structures, as well as individual traits, play a role in social mobility. However, systemic changes and policy reforms are essential to address the growing disparities and promote greater social mobility in society.