Social Stratification and Personal Responsibility in the United States

Introduction: The Reality of Stratification

Social and income stratification in the United States has been a very real phenomenon over most of the country's history, but the focused attention it receives today far exceeds that of previous generations. This intensified scrutiny is due in large part to the twenty-four-hour news cycle and the increased ability of people to communicate and interact over the Internet and other media. While social and income stratification certainly has negative aspects, at least some degree of it is necessary. People must be accountable for their actions and choices, and while the ability to succeed in this country is open and available to most people, opportunity is not infinite and should not be handed out indiscriminately. This is as it should be.

Economic Necessity and Wage Structure

It may seem cold to suggest that social and income stratification is necessary, but it is. Even with the finite amount of opportunity that exists in the United States, there must be people who collect trash for the trash truck, who perform blue-collar work in difficult conditions, and so forth. This does not mean such workers should lack workplace protections and safety equipment. Conversely, there is a reason that fast food workers do not—and should not—earn anywhere close to fifteen dollars per hour. Doing so would disrupt economic equilibrium, and the minimum wage exists at its current level for a reason. Low-skill and low-wage jobs are structured as they are because it is relatively easy to replace workers who cannot or will not perform the work adequately.

A reflexive response from those appalled by wage stratification is that people cannot raise families on minimum wage alone. However, this is not true. It can be done, though it requires hard choices and sacrifices. It demands an honest definition of what constitutes a "need" versus a "want." Even so, it should be noted that having children while unmarried, without a stable home or life, and without a job paying more than minimum wage is a poor decision. The crucial point is that sexual activity is a voluntary activity. Family planning is generally very inexpensive and can be as simple as using a condom that costs less than a dollar. To suggest this is unobtainable or unworkable on a large scale is simply not true.

Personal Choice and Economic Mobility

The author is aware through recent news stories that half of all births occur outside of wedlock and that poorer populations tend to have more children than more affluent populations. Some automatically dismiss such observations as prudish or religiously motivated, but this is counterproductive. Religion need not be invoked at all; the concern is practical and empirical.

The sources referenced in this report reflect what many sociological texts describe as the conflict perspective (Macionis & Benokraitis, 2010; Macionis, 2013). Some scholars argue that people are often helpless and unable to remove themselves from their circumstances (Ehrenreich, 2011). These are gross oversimplifications. The vast majority of people, though certainly not all, have the ability to make better choices even if they stumble initially.

The author has heard repeatedly that companies use H-1B visas for high-tech jobs because qualified American applicants cannot be found. However, it does not take a high-tech job to succeed in this country. People should focus more on the choices they are making—or not making—rather than fixating on how others may have advantages. The author learned of a woman who publicly complained to the President of McDonald's about her low pay and lack of promotions. While the press covered this story extensively, it perhaps should have been noted that someone failing to receive promotions over years could indicate an employer problem, but it might equally indicate an employee problem. Consider that the woman was unmarried and had two children while working at McDonald's. She could have—and should have—made better life choices rather than expecting something not extended to anyone else and for good reason.

That "something," absent evidence to the contrary, would be unearned promotions or pay incommensurate with a low-skill job. The United States economy has shifted toward a knowledge-based and service-based economy. This means people advancing through school and work must understand that without completing their education with marketable, knowledge-based skills, they will almost certainly end up in the service sector, where pay is often meager. This is not to say one cannot secure a good job in the service sector—that is not true. However, opportunities are thinner for those without specialized skills or experience. Education and skill development are investments in human capital that significantly determine long-term earning potential.

Conclusion: Accountability and Opportunity

Macionis, J. (2013). Society: The basics (12th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.