Sociology in the Media: Poverty, Prestige, and Citizen Action

The assignment content discusses sociology in the media, focusing on poverty and education in schools. It also touches upon prestigious occupations, citizen action networks addressing poverty, and a stereotype about poor Americans not working hard enough.

SOCIOLOGY IN THE MEDIA
“More Schools Hit Poverty Threshold.” by Christian Armario The Boston Globe; May 28, 2010
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/05/28/more_schools_hit_poverty_threshold/
The US Department of Education found that the percent of high poverty schools rose from 12 percent to
17 percent between the 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 school years. The number of schools with at least
three quarters of their children eligible for free or reduced lunch has hit an all time high. This is an
example of relative poverty and as well as a poverty line and indicator.
1. Choose one of the theories listed in your book (conflict, functional, symbolic interactionism, or
feminist) and briefly describe the major tenets of the theory. Then answer questions 2-3 through
the lens of your chosen theory.
NO SOURCE ATTACHED FOR BOOK REFERENCE
2. How do reduced and free lunches impact schools?
The students are only applying and getting admissions to these schools is to get free meal program and
as result are not getting graduated from the schools as they compromise their studies.
3. What does this say about society?
The statistics reveal the depth and grasp of poverty in the society and how this poverty is affecting the
education system.
APPLYING SOCIOLOGY TO YOUR LIFE
List the three occupations that you consider the most prestigious. What factors make these the most
prestige (some examples may be power, income, respect, etc)? Which theoretical perspective best
supports the reasoning behind your ranking? Why?
Occupations as per prestige
1. Surgeon
2. Professor
3. Scientist
The reason behind the criteria of sorting is based on the responsibility that is shared by the profession.
Surgeons are highly intellectual persons and they are responsible for saving numerous lives and that
makes them the most suitable option. Being a professor is a very good profession as it involves shaping
the future of students. They are seen as modest, highly educated and disciplined which is again based on
respect domain. And lastly, Scientists that offer great potential and services to make lives easy and
extend their services to every domain. So overall, the criteria for choosing these occupations is entirely
based on respect, rather than income and power.

INTERNET ACTIVITY
EndPoverty2015.org is a Nongovernmental Organization dedicated to meeting the millennium goals of
reducing poverty. Communities throughout the world are involved in poverty reduction through Standup.
Go to the website and track some of the global citizen action networks addressing poverty. How do these
groups change how you see poverty and citizen action? Will they be effective in achieving poverty
reduction? Why or why not? What sociological theory best supports your stance?
Global citizen networks that are addressing poverty are linked to Philippines, India and Kenya. These new
programs allow for ordinary citizens to directly connect with local and national officials and demand that
basic services be provided to them and their communities.
The groups offered a great change which has affected over two billion people to get access to improved
drinking water sources. The share of slum dwellers in urban areas declined from 39 per cent in 2000 to 33
per cent in 2012, improving the lives of at least 100 million people. These are the achievements that have
been achieved so far. Yes definitely the group will be able to reduce the poverty as it is working in
association with Global organizations that does not compromise with the financial help to uplift the health,
economic status of poor people.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
There is a stereotype that Americans who are poor just aren’t working hard enough. As you know from
the reading, sociological evidence shows that this is merely a stereotype and not true in most cases.
What would you say to someone who believes this stereotype? Be sure to use ample sociological
evidence which you can find in your textbook.
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