Question

According to Herbert Gans, the poor perform several positive economic, political, and social functions for more affluent members of society. Which of the following are functions that Gans highlights?

1. The identification of the poor as deviants upholds the legitimacy of conventional social norms regarding hard work, thrift, and honesty.2. The poor utilize the prestigious educational opportunities that the rich do not choose.3. Within a relatively hierarchical society, the existence of poor people guarantees the higher status of the more affluent.4. The fact that poor people can be easily influenced means they play a major role in political elections.5. Because of their lack of political power, the poor often absorb the costs of social change.

Answer 1

Answer: The Third statement

Explanation: From Gans highlights, it can be deduced that there are poor people in the society, and basically what this passage says is that "Poor people tend to contribute positively to the society for affluent members" which means that there is an hierarchy in the society and the poor people are positive contributors. This leads to the third statement that "Within a relatively hierarchical society, the existence of poor people guarantees the higher status of the more affluent" because of the positive economic, political, and social functions they contribute.