Social Stratification & Mobility: Bill Gates Case Study
Theoretical perspectives of social stratification
Consider the life story of Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft Corporation, to analyze the issue of social stratification through the three theoretical perspectives. Mr. Gates was born to a middle-class family. His mother was a school teacher and his father an attorney. Mr. Gates is now one of the wealthiest men on the planet.
Respond to the following:
Explain how this ordinary, middle-class citizen moved to the top of the social stratification system using each of the sociological perspectives.
Determine why none of the theories support a concept of equal yet different social stratification.
Include a discussion that would explain, through one or more of the sociological perspectives, how a person could experience just the opposite by moving from a person of wealth and social notoriety to living in poverty