Week 8- October 15, 2007

Chapter 9 - Global Stratification speaks to the patterns of social inequality in the world as a whole. Worldwide the 20% of all people earn roughly 80% of the world's income. The United States and Japan are considered high income countries, while many Latin, Asian, and African countries are considered low income countries, despite the fact that many resources are derived from these countries. In poor countries there is far more absolute poverty (life threatening ) than in the high and middle income countries. Walt Rostow contended that the final stage of economic development is high mass consumption. The Dependency theory holds that global stratification results from the exploitation of poor countries by rich countries.

Chapter 10 - Gender Stratification is the process by which gender becomes a part of an individual's personality. Gender is the cultural meaning attached to being female or male. Societies give more power and resources to males, which causes sexism a component built into the operation of social institutions. The Intersection theory investigates the intersection of race, class, and gender and found that women of color encounter greater social disadvantages than white women and earn much less than white men. Women are more likely to be sexual harassed and objectified in pornographic material. They also more likely to be domestically victimized.