Social stratification refers to the way in which a society ranks its members in terms of their relative power, prestige, and wealth. This ranking is typically based on factors such as education, occupation, income, and social status, and it results in the creation of social classes, which are groups of people who share similar levels of power, prestige, and wealth.
One of the key conclusions that can be drawn about social stratification is that it is a pervasive and enduring feature of all societies. No matter where you go, you will find that people are ranked in some way, and that these rankings have consequences for the opportunities and resources available to them. This is true even in societies that claim to be based on the principle of equality, such as the United States.
Another conclusion that can be drawn about social stratification is that it is often linked to other forms of inequality, such as gender, race, and ethnicity. In many societies, people who belong to certain groups are more likely to be disadvantaged and relegated to lower social classes, while those who belong to other groups are more likely to be advantaged and placed in higher social classes. This is often due to discriminatory practices and policies that favor certain groups over others.
Despite the pervasiveness and enduring nature of social stratification, it is important to recognize that it is not a fixed or unchanging phenomenon. Societies can and do change over time, and the way in which people are ranked can change as well. For example, in some societies, changes in the economy or political system may lead to shifts in the distribution of power and wealth, resulting in changes to the social class structure.
In conclusion, social stratification is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is present in all societies. It is characterized by the ranking of people in terms of their relative power, prestige, and wealth, and it often intersects with other forms of inequality such as gender, race, and ethnicity. While it is a persistent feature of society, it is not a fixed or unchanging one, and it is important to recognize that it can be influenced and changed by the actions of individuals and society as a whole.
(DOC) Social Stratification Essay
This system was based on a few social statuses namely: first was the hierarchical classification of individuals based on the wealth, ethnic status, and economic status that basically dealt with the accessibility of both services and goods at the societal level. This group has a relatively average income Cliffs 1. There are three perspectives on stratification; functionalist, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Social stratification is based on four basic principles which includes Social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences; Social stratification carries over from generation to generation; Social stratification is universal but variable; Social stratification involves not … What do Durkheim and Marx have in common? It even go as extreme as impacting on whether we live or die, a good example of this is provided by the movie Titanic, 60% of the survivors were holders of first class tickets 4. They both believed it to be socially constructed; man created religion, religion did not create man. People might require some elements of the classes since they have different capacities to exploit reasonably available resources. While by reading the statement of this perspective it sound bias it is not really so.
Notes on Theories of Social Stratification
For instance, the ownership of power in the society is only allocated to individuals based on the capability of an individual through the exhibition of leadership superiority skills and not inherited as it used to be during the pre-emergence of the social stratification system. What is Karl Marx theory? Further, the authors explain the implications of social exclusion on social policy. The industrialization of the United States coincided with the emancipation of the Negro slaves. The reason behind the diminishing of such statuses is the fact that they are not recognized parse, instead all members involved usually encounter presumptive congeries nature in response to politically imposed forms. Even in times of restructuring in the labor market or economic recessions, the ethnic minority face the worst effects through job losses and deterioration of basic infrastructure and amenities White, and Cunneen 25. On the other hand Karl Marx, a conflict theorist, stresses that society is a complex system characterized by inequality and conflict that generate social change.