Social Stratification: Concepts and Forms

Key Concepts

• Cultural, social, and political institutions, represent patterns of behavior related to major social interests.
• Social stratification involves ranking individuals based on wealth, power, and prestige.
• Social and political inequalities are features of societies globally.

Performance Standards

• One must be able to analyze social organization.
• One must be able to identify roles in social groups/institutions.
• One should recognize economic transactions like sharing/gift exchange/redistribution.

Learning Outcomes

• Important to assess options for social action by individuals/communities.

Competency

• Essential to examine social stratification's concept, characteristics, and forms.

Social Stratification Factors

• Social stratification extends beyond wealth.
• Tribal affiliations, age, or caste can cause stratification in societies.
• Organizations stratify through power and authority distribution.
• Social stratification manifests as the ability to make rules and control resource distribution.

Filipino Society

• Debt repayment and kinship heavily influence structure in the Filipino society.
• The family and Catholic Church bond Filipino society.
• The countryside is divided into barangays led by chiefs.
• Philippine society can be seen as more Latin American than Asian.
• Filipino culture is a "high-context" culture, unlike Western "low-context" societies.
• A Filipino "yes" means "yes", but "no" often means "maybe".

Kapwa Concept

• Filipinos study psychology in two groups: Kapwa (togetherness) with Ibang Tao and Hindi Ibang Tao.
• Ibang Tao (outsiders) include:
  • Pakikitungo (civility).
  • Pakikisalamuha (mixing).
  • Pakikilahok (joining).
  • Pakikibagay (conformity).
  • Pakikisama (united with the group).
• Hindi Ibang Tao ("one-of-us") includes:
  • Pakikipagpalagayang-loo (mutual trust).
  • Pakikisangkot (joining others).
  • Pakikipagkaisa (being one with others).

Cultural values

• "Amor Propio" (self-esteem) and Smooth Interpersonal Relationship (SIR) are strong traits.
• Filipinos are sensitive to self-esteem.
• "Being-in-relation" is highly valued, identity is found in kinship groups like family or townsfolk.
• Filipinos seek connectivity to establish relationships, e.g., asking "Where are you from?".
• Positive traits can cause deception to maintain relationships.
• Filipinos avoid conflict and frank dialogue to avoid embarrassment.
• Filipinos may sacrifice integrity for kinship ties, leading to clannishness.
• Focus may be limited to family/clan rather than the greater good.
• Social acceptance and upward mobility through education are believed in.
• Skin color, beauty, and money determine a person's social position.
• Light skin correlates with intelligence and opportunities.
• Family and patron-client ties help achieve success.
• Government officials and community leaders act as sponsors.

Socioeconomic Indicators

• Money indicates power.
• Wealthy individuals often adopt Western lifestyles/travel.
• Car ownership indicates high status outside Manila.
• Houses and furnishings reflect position.
• Private schools are indicators of social standing for children.
• The elite control the economy and politics.
• The middle class is smaller than the lower class.
• Many urban poor face food insecurity and housing issues.

Social Stratification in Practice

• Social stratification classifies and ranks people, rewarding wealth and influence.
• Hierarchical arrangements form within social groups, creating levels.
• Social classes define these societal levels.
• The upper class possesses high income and economic power.
• The middle class includes small business owners, teachers, and merchants.
• The lower class has low income and faces unemployment.
• Physical traits and influence determine social position.
• Light skin tones correlate with advancement.
• Family and patrons contribute to success.
• Indicators of high social standing includes vehicle/home ownership.
• Private schools are a strong indicator for children.
• Social stratification affects life chances and lifestyle.

Social Mobility Dynamic

• Fashion trends are imitated by lower classes.
• Prestige depends on social status.
• Social mobility happens when a person or group changes social class.
• Economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization affect social mobility.
• Lower classes use opportunities to improve their lives.

Stratification Characteristics

• Social stratification does not represent biologically based inequality.
• It is ancient and universal.
• It involves economy, gender, education, color, and race.
• It can lead to solutions or problems.

Impact of Social Stratification

• Social stratification scatters discrimination and unfairness but encourages competition.
• It helps people adapt to social surroundings and improves living standards.
• It results in economic growth and security in society.
• In the Philippines, social stratification is apparent.

Everyday Effects

• Government officials may use influence or wealth to gain favor or avoid consequences.
• Education and physical appearance affect opportunities.
• The idea that all citizens are equal is untrue
• Filipinos are conscious of social class and seek advancement.

Social Structure Defined

• Social structure is a societies stable arrangement of institutions.
• It is linked to social change.
• Social structure involves regularities and patterns.
• Social structure studies integration and inequality using sociology and abstract methods.