Compare and contrast the working poor and underclass noting similarities and differences

What will be an ideal response


Together the working poor and underclass comprise 20 percent of Americans, ranking next to each other at the bottom of the class ladder. They both qualify as being in poverty, have limited opportunities, are poorly trained for the job market, often are high school dropouts, may be illiterate, are unlikely to be able to resist deferred gratification if they happen upon a wind fall of wealth, and engage in unhealthy practices such as smoking, drinking, and other risk-taking behaviors. The difference in the two classes is the working poor have part-time and even full-time jobs but because of the poverty index, still qualify as being in poverty. For example, a traditional family of five with the father working full-time earning $8 an hour earns about $16,640, well below the poverty line for a family of that size. The working poor create more life opportunities for themselves, are more likely to contribute to the community by being members of community organizations, and may have aspirations that reduce the culture of poverty that traps the underclass in poverty. Those considered working poor are often found among the rural poor and the underclass in urban settings. The working poor are three times greater in size than the underclass.

Sociology

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Much like building a house, a solid investigative design plan moves researchers systematically through each step as they look for answers to their initial questions. What are the general steps of the research process?

What will be an ideal response?

Sociology

Anu and Reeta, introduced in the feature box, are victims of what type of crime?

a. gender-based violence b. sex-role crime c. women's status crime d. corporate crime

Sociology

Many immigrants come to the United States each year. Many will have to adapt to new climate conditions, traditions, and customs other than their own, as well as learn English as a second language in order to successfully adapt and get a job. Children tend to fare better than the older generation. What is the dominant belief or expectation in the United States regarding immigrants?

A. They will establish themselves in large cities to promote ethnic diversity. B. They will be encouraged to retain their own language and customs. C. They will segregate themselves into cultural and ethnic groups. D. They will assimilate into the dominant culture.

Sociology

Which of the following terms is used by sociologists to refer to print and electronic means of communication that carry messages to widespread audiences?

A. transmitters B. narcotizers C. opinion leaders D. mass media

Sociology