1. Examine the difference between income and wealth. Which do you think is the better measure of social class?

2. How would you describe a middle-class lifestyle? What are its characteristics—housing, vacations, cars, and lifestyle? Estimate what it takes to lead this middle-class life.

3. Review the different definitions of poverty (from sociologists and according to federal policy). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

4. Functionalists assume that not everyone in society can and should be equal. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

5. How would Marx and Weber define your social status, that of Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and that of your sociology professor?

6. How has the welfare system (past and present) discriminated against women?

7. The chapter reviews three consequences of poverty—health care, food insecurity, and housing. Which do you think is most serious and why? What other consequences of poverty can you identify?