The Sociological Explanations for Class Inequality

The Sociological Explanations for Class Inequality

There is much debate in sociology about whether class is still

important. Many argue that class is no longer important as an

individual's identity and life chances are based more status and

cultural factors such as lifestyle, values, intelligence, education

and the like, the post-modernists state that class has ceased to be

the prime determinant of identity and suggest that societies are now

organised around consumption rather than production, consequently

people now identify themselves in terms of what they consume rather

than in terms of social-class position. Class identity has therefore

fragmented into numerous separate and individualised identities.

Others argue that class is still a central influence on people's

lives, that it affects their life chances (health, education, voting,

social mobility etc.), they argue that class inequality exists and

that such inequalities are widening rather than narrowing.

Early theories such as Functionalist theory argue that inequality is

functional for society since it makes sure that those who show the

most potential talent are encouraged to develop this talent through

higher education and training, with the promise of higher incomes when

they qualify (deferred gratification). They state that in order for

society to function properly, society must make sure that people fully

use their talents. Inequalities stem from the fact that society values

different roles in different ways, based on the shared norms and

values of a society. Davis and Moore argue that inequality is

inevitable in modern society because people need to be put into

diffe...

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... however it is interesting to note that there are still less

working class children entering university than those from a middle

class background. The Weberian theory argues that class and status are

interlinked, that it is possible to have wealth without status which

seems to apply to the society in which we live in today. The Marxist

view of class inequality does not seem to apply to today's society,

with many people today being part of the middle class, there is no

explanation for this in Marx's theory, and he does not account for the

growth of the service sector, an industry which is expanding in the

contemporary UK. There are many explanations for class inequality

which show that although class is not as important as it has been in

previous times, it still plays an important part in the lives of

individuals today.