The Final Benchmark Paper Should Be Notably Revised Update ✓ Solved

The Final Benchmark Paper Should Be A Noticeably Revised Update Of The

The final benchmark paper should be a noticeably revised update of the three drafts submitted in Topics 5-7, incorporating instructor comments and personal revising. Create an essay consisting of the revised versions of the essays in Topics 3, 5, and 6. This section should be 2,250-3,000 words. Write a conclusion of about 200-300 words, explaining how the social institution you chose contributes to the social stratification of the United States for better and for worse. You should note the references for parts I-III along with the conclusion at the end of the paper.

Utilize the GCU Library to locate a minimum of three scholarly sources to support your conclusion. This assignment requires the use of APA Style guidelines; refer to the APA Style Guide in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Review LopesWrite Support articles for assistance.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Social institutions are foundational components of societal structure that shape individuals’ lives and influence the organization of society at large. Among these, the education system, family, and the criminal justice system play pivotal roles in establishing and maintaining social stratification in the United States. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of a selected social institution—namely education—and examines how it contributes both positively and negatively to social stratification. The discussion synthesizes previous drafts and instructor feedback, integrating scholarly sources to deepen the analysis.

Revised Analysis of Education as a Social Institution

In earlier drafts, the focus was on the role of education in perpetuating class divisions. The revised discussion emphasizes the dual nature of education: as a vehicle for social mobility and as a mechanism that reinforces inequality. Educational attainment often correlates strongly with socioeconomic status, influencing opportunities and access to resources. According to Bowles and Gintis (1976), educational institutions tend to reproduce existing class structures by favoring the cultural capital of the dominant classes, thus perpetuating inequality across generations.

However, education also has the potential to serve as an equalizer. For many individuals, access to quality education can influence upward mobility, especially when policies aim to reduce disparities. As Reardon (2011) highlights, increased investment in early childhood education can diminish the effects of socioeconomic background on academic achievement, thereby reducing stratification.

This dual role is further complicated by systemic inequalities related to race and gender, which intersect with class to produce complex layers of stratification. For example, minority students often face underfunded schools and fewer resources, exacerbating existing disparities (Ladson-Billings, 2006). Similarly, gendered expectations can influence educational pathways and subsequent occupational opportunities.

Impact of Family and Social Networks

The family unit functions as both a primary socialization agent and as a conduit for cultural capital transfer, impacting social stratification. Wealthy families tend to provide better educational resources, social networks, and cultural capital, positioning their children advantageously (Lareau, 2011). Conversely, children from lower-income families often face limited access to enriched environments that foster academic and social development.

Social networks further influence opportunities. Students from higher social strata benefit from exclusive college admissions and professional contacts, which facilitate social mobility. Conversely, lower strata have limited access to such networks, entrenching stratification.

Role of the Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system's role in stratification is evident through disproportionate incarceration rates among minority and low-income populations. The War on Drugs, for instance, has contributed significantly to racial disparities in incarceration (Alexander, 2010). Incarceration can impede social mobility by disrupting employment prospects and reducing earning potential, thereby reinforcing existing social hierarchies.

Reform efforts aim at addressing these disparities, but systemic biases persist. The criminal justice system, therefore, often reinforces stratification, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization for vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

In sum, the social institution of education critically influences social stratification in the United States. While it offers pathways for upward mobility and social equity, systemic inequalities rooted in race, gender, and class often hinder these opportunities. Family background and social networks reinforce these disparities, while the criminal justice system exacerbates them through disproportionate incarceration. Addressing these interconnected issues requires comprehensive policies aimed at fostering equitable access to resources, dismantling systemic biases, and promoting social mobility. Recognizing the complex role of these institutions can guide efforts to create a more just and equitable society.

References

Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.

Bowles, S., & Gintis, H. (1976). Schooling in capitalist America: Educational reform and the contradictions of economic life. Basic Books.

Ladson-Billings, G. (2006). From the achievement gap to the education debt: Understanding achievement in US schools. Educational Researcher, 35(7), 3–12.

Lareau, A. (2011). Unequal childhoods: Class, race, and family life. University of California Press.

Reardon, S. F. (2011). The widening academic achievement gap between the rich and the poor. Clio’s Pocket Guide, 2011.