Social Stratification
What is it?
Social Stratification: › The division of large numbers of people
into layers according to their relative power, property, and prestige.
› Applies to both nations and to people within a nation, society, or other group. How large groups fit into the social hierarchy
Why does it matter?
Sociological Significance› Affects our life chances› Affects the way we think about life
“The differences in behavior and attitudes are due not to biology (race-ethnicity, sex, or any other supposed genetic factors) but to people’s location in the social structure.”
Social Stratification
Every society stratifies its members› Some inequality is greater than others
Gender is considered a universal basis for stratifying› “on the basis of their gender, people are
either allowed or denied access to the good things offered by their society.” Do you agree?
Four Major Systems of Social Stratification
1. Slavery2. Caste3. Estate4. Class
Slavery
An institution in which some individuals own other people
History› Common in agricultural societies› Occurred in ancient Rome, Greece, and
Africa
Causes of Slavery Slavery was not necessarily based on
racism, the following were the most common factors:› Debt
Creditors would enslave people who couldn’t repay their debts
› Crime A convicted murderer or thief would be put
into slavery as punishment› War
Conquered people became slaves
Conditions of Slavery
In some places, slavery was temporary› In Rome, slaves could sometimes purchase
their freedom
Slavery was not necessarily inheritable› Ancient Mexico, children of slaves were born
free
Slaves were not necessarily powerless or poor
Slavery: In the New World Indentured Servants
A contractual system in which someone sells his or her services for a specific period of time
Voluntarily entered into Common in the 13 colonies
Racism and Slavery
Contrary to popular belief, racism did not lead to slavery, slavery led to racism› Why do you think that is?
Ideology› Beliefs that justify social arrangements,
making those arrangements seem necessary and fair
Slavery Today
Slavery still exists and experts estimate more than 20 million people are currently enslaved
Sudan example› Pg. 223
Caste System
A form of social stratification in which people’s statuses are lifelong conditions determined by birth
Achieved status cannot change an individual’s place
Caste System and Endogamy
Societies with caste systems developed a way to perpetuate their social institutions
Endogamy: The practice of marrying within one’s own group
India’s Religious Caste System
India’s Religious Castes› Four Major Castes
Brahman (Priests and Teachers) Kshatriya (Rulers and Soldiers) Vaishya (Merchants and Traders) Shudra (Peasants and Laborers) Dalit (Untouchables)
Apartheid A form of the caste system based upon
racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa.
Apartheid was in effect for over 40 years before Nelson Mandelawas elected president.
Estate System Estate Stratification System: The
stratification system of medieval Europe, consisting of three groups or estates: the nobility, the clergy, and commoners
Class System
Class System: A form of social stratification based primarily on the possession of money or material possessions
Social Mobility: Movement up or down the social class ladder
Why is Stratification Universal?
Stratification exists in every society, but why?
Universality of Stratification Functionalist View
› Stratification of society is inevitable because: Society must make sure certain positions are
filled. Some positions are more important than
others. The more important positions must be filled
by the more qualified people. To motivate the more qualified people to fill
these positions, society must offer them greater rewards.
Universality of Stratification
Criticisms of Functionalist View: › How do we know some positions are more
important than others? › Our society is not totally a meritocracy –
positions are not always awarded on the basis of merit (college)
› If social stratification is functional, it should benefit everyone, but stratification is dysfunctional for many.
Universality of Stratification
The Conflict Perspective › Mosca’s Argument
No society can exist unless it is organized, which requires leadership
Leadership requires inequalities of power Human nature is self-centered: people will
use their power to gain rewards for themselves
Universality of Stratification
Which theory to you think is the more accurate depiction of why our society is stratified?
Social Class in America
•Read the following article about the class system in the United States
•Class in America: The Shadowy Lines That Still Divide
•Answer the discussion questions found on the Wiki page