Social Stratification - Which Account of Class(Weberian, Marxist , Fuctional) Has More Relevance in Your Personal or Family Life? to What Extent Do You Think Your Family Background Affects Your Chance of Social Mobility?

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I think Functionalist account of class has the most relevance in my family life. It is believed that the greater the functional importance to the society, the better rewards a position can gain. (Davis, Kinsley, Wilbert and Melvin 1944) My parents both are cleaners working in catering industry as blue-collar workers. Compared with the white-collar workers who are performing managerial, professional and administrative works, my parents are carrying out manual labor and their wages are just slightly higher than the level of minimum wages. The white-collar workers have the authority to handle the more essential and confidential issues of a restaurant such as making bulk purchase of ingredients and planning an advertising campaign, while my parents are excluded from the decision-making process and only have to ensure the sanitation of the restaurant. As the white-collar workers are more contributive and fundamental in the operation process of the restaurant than my parents, they are entitled to receive a greater rewards for their work. Concerning Marxists’ account of class, it is believed that the capitalists and ruling class will exploit the workers and subject class. (Marx 2004) However, this situation is no longer happened to HK employees due to the extensive legal protection and uprising worker organization in HK. I would like to make my parents as an example. They are both sweepers in a Cantonese restaurant working for about 10 years. The statutory labor welfares and rights are well protected under the Employment Ordinance such as legal holidays, minimum wage payment of HK$33 per hour, paid time off and the severance package are guaranteed. The occupational safety and health is also promoted and implemented by the Labor Department according to the certain ordinance. The employer do follow the law strictly and so necessary safety equipment are provided to my

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