Study Questions

  1. Do you think the Occupy movement that began on Wall Street will have a long term impact on US society? Why or why not?
     
  2. What can be done to address the feminization of poverty? What kinds of policies or social changes can address this?
     
  3. Do you think women will break through the ultimate glass ceiling – the Presidency of the United States – in your lifetime? Why or why not?
     
  4. Which theory do you think is more applicable – Simmel’s concept of trickle-down fashion or Veblen’s theory of conspicuous consumption? Why?
     
  5. What is meant by the concept “the race to the bottom?” Do you think this will change any time soon? Why or why not?
     
  6. Why do you think income and wealth inequality has increased since the 1970s?
     
  7. Explain why and in what ways wealth and poverty are caused by laws, policies, and social structure, rather than simply individual traits, such as hard work?
     
  8. Why is upward social mobility so much more difficult today than in past decades? Explain what social structures, policies, and laws might affect your future potential for upward mobility.