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Read Item O below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 23 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 23
Read Item O below and answer the question that follows. Item O Sociologists researching stratification have often decided what class people belong to by asking for... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read Item O below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 23 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
Analysis of problem one: Fluidity of the Labour Market
Answer
One significant problem in measuring social class through occupations is the fluidity of the labour market itself. Traditionally, class was often defined by stable, single occupations. However, in today's economy, many individuals may have multiple job roles or shift careers frequently. For example, someone may start in a low-wage job but later transition into a higher-paid position in a completely different field. This fluidity complicates the classification of individuals into rigid class categories based solely on their current job, as it does not account for the complexity of their employment history.
Step 2
Analysis of problem two: Dual-Earner Households
Answer
Another problem arises from the increasing prevalence of dual-earner households, where both partners contribute to the family's income. In such cases, social class may not be easily attributed to a single occupation. For instance, if one partner holds a high-status job while the other works in a lower-skilled position, the household’s social class may be misrepresented if only one job is considered. This duality poses challenges to traditional measurement methods as it highlights the interdependence of occupations and the way they jointly influence a household's social standing.