chp 7 social stratification

8/10/2019 Chp 7 Social Stratification

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Chapter 7:Understanding Inequality

Social Stratification

and Social Mobility


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Overview

What is social stratification?

Systems of stratification

Class-less societies?

Structural- functional analysis Social conflict analysis

Social mobility

Types of social mobility Critical thinking on poverty


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What is Social Stratification

Social stratification is a system by which categoriesof people within a society are ranked in ahierarchy.

Social inequality refers to a condition in whichsocietal members have unequal amounts ofwealth, prestige or power, is a major cause of

social stratification.


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What is Social Stratification

Stratification is found in all but a few, small scale,pre-industrial societies - even in these societiesdistinctions are still made based on sex and age,

which lead to unequal rewards.

Social stratification is more prevalent in a capitaliststate with free market economy, and less in a

socialist or communist state with a centrally-planned economy.


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Major Characteristics of Society

Major Characteristics of Society, not individuals:

Universal and Variable

Persists (Durability) over Generations

Social Mobility - which are changes in the social

position of individuals within a system of social

stratification

Supported by Patterns of Belief


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Systems of Stratification

Slavery:

The most extreme form of legalized inequality.

Common slaves are owned by other persons, usually

of nobility.

Maintaining the privileges and rewards of slave

owners required extensive coercion in society.

E.g. Ancient Greece, America (the history of slavery).


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Castes:

Based entirely on ascription.

Usually religiously dictated, fixed, immobile.

E.g. India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.

Sociologists also used the term casteto describe

stratification systems that emphasize racial

distinctione.g. the apartheid system in SouthAfrica.


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Estates:

Associated with feudalism.

The nobles inherited the titles and property, the

peasants were born into a subservient positionwithin an agrarian society (they work for the noble).

Nobles began to achieve varying degrees of authority.


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The Class System:

Definition: a system of social stratification in which

individual achievement is of considerable

importance.Unequal distribution of wealth and power.

Sociologistsclass is seen as a key determinant of

peoples attitudes and behavior.


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Classless Societies

Some socialist countries claim to be classless.

E.g. USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

Productiondirect control from the state.

Eliminating private ownership.

Despite the claim, the country is still socially

stratified (in terms of occupational differences).

Less social inequality than capitalist societies.


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Structural-Functional Analysis

Davis-Moore(1945)stratification is inevitableand

social inequality is necessaryso that people will be

motivated to fill functionally important positions.

Meritocracy:a system of social stratification inwhich rewards are matched to personal merit.


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Social-Conflict Analysis

Karl Marxmajor influences on the ideas of socialclass and class conflict (19thcentury).

Societys constant focus on capitalism (wealth and

power) creates social-conflict situations. New generations reproduce class structures which -

rather than benefiting society as a whole, it benefitspeople at the expense of others.

Creation of wealth for the individual from theeconomic exploitation of others.


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Social Mobility

Refers to the movement of individuals or groups

from one level of a social position to another.

Open system: the position of each individual is

influenced by the persons achieved status. Competition among members is encouraged.

Closed system: little or no individual mobility, social

placement is based on ascribed status. E.g. countrieslike China, Cuba and North Korea.


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Types of Social Mobility

Inter-generational mobilityupward or downward

social mobility of children in relation to their parents.

Intra-generational mobilitya change in social

position occurring within a persons lifetime. Structural mobilityvertical movement of a specific

group, class or occupation relative to others in the

stratification system.


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Critical Thinking on Poverty

Absolute poverty: a minimum level of subsistence

below which families should not be expected to exist,

deprivation of resources that is life threatening.

Relative poverty: a floating standard of deprivationwhich suggests that those people at the bottom of a

society, are disadvantaged in comparison with the

nation as a whole.


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20 September 2006

Social Stratification Movie

Children of Heaven is a

1998 Iranian Family drama

film written and directed

by Majid Majidi. It dealswith a brother and sister

and their adventures over a

lost pair of shoes.


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20 September 2006

Social Stratification Movie

Angela's Ashes follows theexperiences of young Frankie and

his family as they try against all

odds to escape poverty in the

slums of pre-war Limerick.Prejudice against Frankie's

Northern Irish father makes his

search for employment in the

Republic difficult despite his havingfought for the IRA.


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20 September 2006

Lets Watch Videos on

Social Stratification

Sociology of Social Inequality

Children of Heaven Movie Trailer

Angela's Ashes Movie Trailers 1 & 2


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Critical Discussion on Poverty

Discuss and explain Poverty

One view: Blame the poor

- the poor are primarily responsible for their own

poverty? (True or False?)

Counterpoint: Blame society

- the society is responsible for poverty

-Insufficient opportunity (True or False?)

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