For this Discussion Forum, I want us to begin considering our relationships to deviance and social control, as well as our experiences with social stratification and generational mobility. The questions for this forum are based on sections from Chapters 7 & 9.

• Chapter 7.1 – Deviance, Crime, and Social Control (Links to an external site.)
• Chapter 9.1 and 9.2 – Social Stratification in the United States (Links to an external site.)

Your original post should answer each of the following questions, with at least 5 sentences per answer.

Questions

1. Briefly define “deviance” and “social control”, referencing and citing the textbook chapter 7.1. Next, consider these concepts in your own life. Is there anything the people in your life strongly encourage you to do that you don’t? Explain why you deviate from their encouragement. Lastly, describe their reactions to your deviance. How do they respond and how do their responses make you feel?
2. Briefly define the concepts of “stratification” and “meritocracy”, referencing and citing the textbook chapter 9.1 Do you believe the United States is a meritocracy? Why or why not? Do you believe that the concept of the “American Dream” is achievable? Why or why not?
3. To which social class do you and your family currently belong? Are you in a different social class from your grandparents or great-grandparents? If so, what changed? In your answer, consider marriages, acquisition of property, education, career or profession, etc. If nothing changed, why do you think there is no change from their generation to yours? Please reference and cite information from chapter 9.2 to support your answer.