Soc 341 Social Stratification Fall 2020 Paper 2

Soc 341 Social Stratification Fall 2020paper 2for This Paper You

For this paper, you are to read the books Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism by Anne Case and Angus Deaton, and Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America by Linda Tirado. In a 5-7 page paper, you are to employ your sociological imaginations and critically analyze the major themes of each book, and you are to compare and contrast those themes with each other, as well as the course material. More specifically, using explicit and concrete examples, you are to identify and expound on at least two separate themes from each book – and at least one theme that the books have in common – and using the intersecting concepts of biography, society, and history, discuss how they play out in American society (and/or have played out throughout American history).

While discussing your various themes, be explicit about how they are similar and dissimilar between the two books. Your paper should consist of a summary of each book, as well as a sociological analysis of the various themes presented throughout. Finally, your paper must reference at least TWO topics we discussed in class (you have complete autonomy here, you can choose race, stratification, gender, culture, work, politics, etc.). Explicit thematic examples are required in order to receive full credit here. Papers should be double-spaced with 12-pt Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins.

You need to incorporate at least 3-5 outside sources that are relevant to your topic. The assignment objectives include demonstrating reading comprehension and writing proficiency at the university level, applying the sociological imagination, critically analyzing sociological concepts in the real world, and understanding, summarizing, and analyzing academic literature.

Paper For Above instruction

The following paper offers a comprehensive sociological critique of the major themes presented in Anne Case and Angus Deaton’s Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism and Linda Tirado’s Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America. Central to both texts are themes of economic inequality, social despair, and systemic marginalization, which reveal how individual biographies are shaped by larger societal forces, and how historical processes influence contemporary social stratification in America.

Introduction

The works by Case and Deaton (2020) and Tirado (2014) delve into the multifaceted nature of poverty, health disparities, and economic disenfranchisement in the United States. While Case and Deaton focus on mortality linked to despair—particularly drug overdoses, suicides, and alcoholism—Tirado narrates her lived experience of poverty, highlighting the day-to-day struggles of living on the brink of survival. The overarching theme intertwined in both books is the destructive impact of economic inequality on individual lives, which reflects broader patterns of social stratification rooted in systemic failure. This paper argues that these texts, through their themes, illuminate how biography, society, and history intersect to perpetuate inequalities, as evidenced by their application to race, class, and gender in American history.

Summary and Analysis of Key Themes

1. Economic Inequality and Social Determinants of Health

Both books underscore the profound influence of economic disparity on health outcomes and life trajectories. Case and Deaton (2020) demonstrate how declining middle-class wages, rising income inequality, and diminished access to healthcare have led to a spike in deaths of despair—particularly among white Americans with limited educational attainment. Tirado (2014) vividly describes her own struggles in a low-wage service job, where lack of financial security directly correlates with mental health issues and feelings of hopelessness. Sociologically, this theme connects with the concept of social determinants of health, emphasizing how structural inequalities shape individual well-being.

2. Systemic Marginalization and Structural Barriers

Both authors critique the societal systems that perpetuate inequality. Case and Deaton highlight the failures of the capitalist economy to provide economic security, leading to social despair. Tirado critiques the labor market’s precarity, illustrating how minimal wages and limited social safety nets trap individuals in cycles of poverty. These insights align with structural functionalist and conflict theories, which see economic systems and class struggle as fundamental to understanding social inequality in America. As history shows, policies favoring wealth accumulation among elites have systematically marginalized working-class and poor populations.

3. Common Theme: Disillusionment and the Search for Meaning

Both texts explore themes of disillusionment with the American Dream. Tirado’s narrative depicts a life where relentless work does not lead to upward mobility, echoing Case and Deaton’s analysis of despair rooted in economic disenfranchisement. The authors collectively underscore how societal institutions—education, healthcare, labor—fail to deliver equitable opportunities, fostering a collective sense of futility. This shared theme reveals how biography, shaped by personal experiences, is embedded within a societal context that historically marginalizes certain groups based on race, gender, and class.

Discussion: Intersection of Themes with Course Material

The themes in these books resonate deeply with course topics such as social stratification and race. For example, the racial disparities in health outcomes and economic mobility are stark, with African Americans experiencing higher mortality rates and economic disadvantages—phenomena that compound the issues discussed by Case, Deaton, and Tirado. Gender also plays a crucial role, as economic instability disproportionately affects women, especially single mothers or women in low-wage jobs, further entrenching gender-based inequalities in social class. These intersections highlight the importance of examining how systemic inequalities are layered and reinforced through historical and societal structures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Deaths of Despair and Hand to Mouth vividly illustrate the destructive force of economic inequality on individual lives and societal health. Through the themes of social despair, systemic marginalization, and the disillusionment with the American Dream, these texts underscore how biography, society, and history intertwine to produce persistent inequalities. Recognizing these patterns is crucial for informing policies aimed at addressing socio-economic disparities rooted in race, class, and gender, ultimately fostering a more equitable society.

References

• Case, A., & Deaton, A. (2020). Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism. Princeton University Press.
• Tirado, L. (2014). Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America. The New Press.
• Wacquant, L. (2009). Urban Penality and Sociological Perspectives on Social Marginalization. Annual Review of Sociology, 35, 371-389.
• Wilkinson, R., & Marmot, M. (2003). Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts. World Health Organization.
• Hochschild, J. L., & Quirk, J. (2012). The American State and Social Policy. Princeton University Press.
• Massey, D. S., & Denton, N. A. (1993). American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass. Harvard University Press.
• Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241-1299.
• Wilson, W. J. (1987). The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, the Underclass, and Social Policy. University of Chicago Press.
• Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Harvard University Press.
• Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.