Essentials of Sociology
Third Edition
Discussion Questions
- Do you think women will break through the ultimate glass ceiling – the presidency of the United States – in your lifetime? Why or why not?
- 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.
- Why is upward social mobility so much more difficult today than in past decades? Explain what laws, policies, and social structures might affect your future potential for upward mobility.
- Describe a hypothetical “day in the life” for the average person in a high-, middle-, and low-income country. Give examples and include what types of resources or access each group can access.
- How might the global digital divide affect a low-income country’s ability to improve their global economic standing? Explain how this might affect their ability to be competitive in a global marketplace.
- When we think of limited access to health care, we tend to think of low-income countries. Discuss how people in countries that aren’t considered low-income – like the United States – may have difficulty accessing adequate health care.