The Davis-Moore thesis argues that social inequality is beneficial to society. Do you agree or disagree with this thesis? Why or why not? Table 1 gives the prestige rankings for a number of different occupations. Do you think that the prestige rankings reflect the most important jobs in society? (Are the jobs with the highest prestige the most important to society?) Why or why not?
Some experts argue in favor of class-based affirmative action. That is, giving people born to lower-class families an advantage in college admissions and company hiring. Do you think that society should do something like this? Why or why not?
Think about your parents and grandparents. Do you think that social mobility has happened in your own family? What type(s) of social mobility have happened? Include in your discussion the events or reasons for your answers.
Choose a popular television show and discuss which social class you believe the main character or family represents. What factors (occupation, wealth, power, prestige, education, etc.) lead you to believe that they belong in this social class?