Question

How does a sociological theory (choose functionalism, symbolic interactionism or conflict theory) explain why we have a class system in the United States, with limited social mobility and increasing disparities?

Answer 1

A sociological theory such as the conflict theory explains why we have a class system in the United States, with limited social mobility and increasing disparities. As according to the Social conflict social life is full of competition having the focus on the distribution of resources, power, and inequality. Thus conflict theorists consider society as an arena of inequality that generates social conflict and social change. The incomes in the United States are highly unequal due to for three primary reasons:

Changing employment patterns

Increased returns to education

Changes in households

Thus education leads to a wider gap in the income level of the various sections of the society as more educated people are better paid, thus the gap between the rich and the poor is widening in the USA. The rich only can afford the college education making the rich become richer and poor poorer.