5. Most people end up in a class position that is the same as or close to the one occupied by their parents. Generally, this “reproduction of the class structure” is explained by one of two sorts of explanations: cultural or structural. Describe the arguments made by those who believe in cultural explanations, and then describe the arguments offered by those who favor the structural approach. Which do you find most compelling? Why?

6. In The Practical Skeptic, McIntyre quotes one of her students: “In high school, I was an all-American basketball player even though I played in a ghetto school.… I got letters from coaches from top college programs saying, ‘I’ve heard you are a great player, are you going to any camps?’ The point was that they didn’t want to come to my school to watch me play because it’s a rough place. They were willing to come to see me if I could go to camp. But I wasn’t able to afford to go to any of the camps.”In your informed judgment, which point of view on the reproduction of class does this student’s experience support—the cultural or the structural? Why? (In your answer, summarize the two points of view.

7. In The Practical Skeptic, McIntyre quoted one student’s explanation of class inequality: “People do have opportunities, it’s just that some people aren’t willing to work hard and take advantage of them. Look at me—my parents cannot afford to pay my way through college, so I work two jobs part-time to support myself. If I can do it, anyone can!”In your informed judgment, how would a sociologist respond to this student’s assertion? Would a sociologist agree or disagree with the student? Why?

8. Mr. Smith is worried about his daughter because today is her first day of school. He accompanies her to school and confides in the teacher: “Please give my daughter extra attention because I am afraid she is not very bright.” In your informed judgment, has Mr.Smith just done his daughter a favor—or not? Why? (Draw upon social scientific evidence to support your answer.)

9. Consider the following “jokes”: Q: What’s the difference between men and government bonds? A: Bonds mature. oQ: What is gross stupidity? A: 144 men in a room. oQ: Why can’t a blonde make Kool-Aid? A: She can’t fit two gallons of water into that little package.oQ: What’s a sure way to drown a blonde? A: Stick a scratch and sniff sticker on the bottom of a pool. A sociologist would say that while all four jokes are expressions of sex-based discrimination, only two of them can be regarded as expressions of sexism in contemporary US society. Which two jokes, and why?

10. In The Practical Skeptic, McIntyre observes that “research suggests that when rights and privileges are extended to members of minority groups, members of the dominant group perceive their loss of advantage as discrimination.” Explain how this phenomenon works.

11. Explain why it is that sociologists tend to argue that both race and gender are social and not biological facts.