SOCIAL STRATIFICATION for testing.docx

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION OBJECTIVES Define the term Social Stratification Explain the dimensions of Social Stratification Identify the principles of Social Stratification Describe the types of Social Stratification Discuss the impact of social class Discuss the Theoretical Perspectives of Social Strati...

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION OBJECTIVES Define the term Social Stratification Explain the dimensions of Social Stratification Identify the principles of Social Stratification Describe the types of Social Stratification Discuss the impact of social class Discuss the Theoretical Perspectives of Social Stratification INTRODUCTION Karl Marx once said..." A house can be large or small; as long as the surrounding houses are equally small it satisfies all social demands. But if a palace rises beside the little house, it shrinks into a hut. Inequality is probably the single most sociologically significant influence on an individual in a society; a person's social status affects almost every aspect of his or her life. It influences life expectancy, health, medical care, employment and educational opportunities. Our class background affects where we live, how we talk, what we eat, what we value, what we buy, shows we watch and even our manners. Social inequality may take the form of the unequal distribution of wealth, power, prestige, opportunities and influence, among individuals and groups When social inequality becomes patterned and institutionalized and forms part of social structure, social stratification is said to exist. IN WHAT AREAS DOES SOCIAL INEQUALITIES EXIST? Gender Race Age Ethnicity Religion Kinship DEFINITIONS According to Haralambos and Holborn (2004), stratification 'refers to the presence of distinct social groups which are ranked one above the other in terms of factors such as prestige and wealth. The term stratification is one that we borrowed from the earth sciences because it conveys the fact that society is made up of social layers, or strata, that are arranged in hierarchy. Like rocks in the earth, some people are at the bottom of society, some are in the middle and some are at the top. RANKED DIVISIONS ARE CALLED STRATA. Stratification systems vary in: the number of ranked groups, the degree to which there is agreement regarding their hierarchical placement the size of the strata The ability of individuals to move within strata Social stratification refers to the ranking of individuals in society according to some socially defined standard or measure. It is uneven or unequal distribution of whatever people in society consider the good things in life DIMENSIONS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Max Weber proposed three independent dimensions on which people could be ranked (1.) Property, Income, wealth Easy to measure because they are numerical. Material possession are what many people associate with social standing Weber felt that class meant "life chances" to earn these things; those of higher class had more chances to do so. (2). Power This includes political influence and personal and official authority. Ability to get one's way despite resistance of others Power is the force a person has over others for example, a doctor have more power than a nurse. Based on special talents and personality Power usually increases wealth - material possessions and occupation gives one power. (3.) Prestige Respect or recognition a person receives from others. In the past, prestige was a result of birth Today, prestige is often linked to occupation. Titles such as physician or doctor, president, professor and Nobel Prize bestow prestige on an individual Prestige is not tangible, but evidence of its existence comes from how one is treated and viewed by others. Status symbols communicate one or more of these dimensions PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Social stratification is a characteristic of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences - neither rich nor poor people are responsible for creating social stratification, yet this system shapes the lives of all. Children born into wealth are more likely than the poor to enjoy health, achieve academically, succeed in jobs and live long into old age. Social stratification persist over generations In all societies, parents confer their social positions on their children, so inequality stays the same throughout generations. However, in industrial societies, some individuals experience social mobility upwards or downwards. Social stratification is universal but variable - it is found everywhere. What is unequal and how unequal it is vary from one society to another. Among simple societies, social differentiation is minimal and based on age and sex. Social stratification involves not just inequality but beliefs. People with the greatest social privileges express the strongest support for their system of social stratification, while those with fewer resources are more likely to seek change. SYSTEMS OF STRATIFICATION Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to change their social status during their lifetimes. Social mobility continuum range from closed system to open system TYPES OF STRATIFICATION SYSTEM All stratification systems may be broadly subdivided into two main types: closed and open. Closed System of Stratification Is a rigid system with clearly demarcated boundaries. Social statuses are strictly defined and determine access to opportunities Social position is ascribed at birth There is no social mobility from one level to another An example of a closed system of stratification is the caste system in India. People are born into a caste and this determines their occupation, social interaction, power and education. No level of achievement can change a person's caste. Open System of Stratification An open form of stratification is based primarily on economic criteria, particularly income. Social position is achieved through one's effort The boundaries between classes are more flexible than in the closed system There is opportunity for social mobility, as individuals can move up or down the class scale and therefore their status can improve or decline Class membership depends, at least in part on characteristics which the individual can control The class system in modern industrial society is the best example of an open system of stratification According to Giddens (2001), there have been four basic types of stratification systems in human history: slavery, caste, estate and class. The first three types are closed stratification systems, whereas social class is an example of an open stratification system. Slavery is a system where some human beings are treated as items of property, belonging either to another individual or to a social group, as existed in the Caribbean and southern United States. As an institution, slavery was reinforced by beliefs about racial inferiority of the enslaved and justified by the legal system. The enslaved occupied the lowest strata of the society, as their position was ascribed. As an established official institution, slavery has been eradicated throughout the world. Caste System - is a stratification system where cultural or racial differences are used as the basis for ascribing status Castes are named, territorially delimited, and membership is determined by birth and unchanging Caste is a rigid system of occupationally specialized, interdependent groups Caste is the fundamental social institution in India Most developed form is among Hindus although it is also found with Muslims and Christians and Sikhs Castes are ranked by purity and pollution customs. The most pure, the Brahmins (priest caste) are allocated the highest status and are superior to all others in the hierarchy. The least pure, the Panchamas or 'untouchables' are inferior to all of the other castes and are at the base of the hierarchy. Caste organises political, economic and ritual life THE INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya These are Twice Bern Groups Then, Sudra and Untouchable The four varnas are ranked in descending order of importance, prestige, and purity. Brahmin (priests) scholars, philosophers - rewarded with honor Kshatriya (warriors), rulers, administrators and organizers - rewarded with power) Vaishya (The People) merchants, farmers, traders, artisans, engineers rewarded with wealth Shudra. (servants) servants, hired hands, unskilled laborers, factory workers, manual laborers rewarded with freedom from responsibility Untouchables, also known as Harijans or Dalits, fall outside of the caste system all together. Estate system - also known as feudalism, existed in Medieval Europe. It in this system, law and inheritance determine one's social position. During the Middle Ages, the major estates, according to the obligations and rights, ranked the aristocracy and landed gentry at the top, the clergy in the middle and the merchants, artisans, peasants and serfs at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Within each are subdivisions. Although the estate system is similar to the caste system it is not as rigid. Some social mobility is possible but not to the same extent as in a class system. Class system - class as defined by Marx, is the division of people in society by their relationship to the means of production: those who own a large portion of society's wealth. Classes are strata of a particular kind. defined primarily in terms of roles and economic relationship people have a significant chance of moving from one level to another Modern industrial societies need people with special skills and education to fill jobs Statuses are typically achieved, based on ambition, talent, and skill, but often have some element of "assignment, or ascription Society is often comprised of a small upper class and larger middle classes, working class, and lower class. HOW ARE SOCIAL CLASSES MANIFESTED? Through verbal evaluation - that is what people say about their own society by singling out and speaking favorably or unfavorably about a group of people and their political, economic, or other qualities Through patterns of association - In Western society, informal friendly relations take place mainly within one's own class for example a janitor is unlikely to associate with a CEO through language Through symbolic indicators that is activities and possessions indicative of class Wealth: rich people generally are of a higher social class than poor people Dress: white collar vs. blue collar Form of recreation: upper-class people are expected to play golf rather than shoot pool down at the pool hall- but they can do it at home. Residential location: upper-class people do not ordinarily live in slums Material Possessions: Kind of car: Rolex watch, how many bathrooms a house has SOCIAL MOBILITY: TYPES AND PATTERNS Upward or Downward mobility - person moves up or down the ranks of social strata during his or her lifetime Inter-generational mobility - person moves up or down the ranks of social strata between generations (lawyer child of a truck driver) Intra generational mobility - person moves up or down the ranks of social strata within a generation high school drop out later becomes a noted author) Horizontal mobility - person moves from one comparably ranked status to another (a lawyer's child becomes a college professor) CLASS MOBILITY: HOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE CLASS Ideology encourages upward striving but mobility may be limited based on presumptions of merit one gets what one deserves. How many believe everyone is born equal. How rigid are the classes. People can imitate a raised status by adopting the symbols and trappings of upper classes Rich get richer and poor get poorer KARL MARX'S CONCEPT OF CLASS In a capitalistic society (that is Western Europe, the US and Canada) the middle class of merchants and professionals, he believed, would be crushed into becoming proletariat. Proletariat means working-class people regarded collectively or  the lowest or one of the lowest economic and social classes in a society. The farmers and peasants would have little role Underclass (Lumpenproletariat) Exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie leads to alienation HOW DOES SOCIAL CLASS AFFECT A PERSON? Social class affects simple daily activities (like language) to more important "life chances" (opportunities) Values Affluent tend to be more tolerant "New money" often favor status symbols and conspicuous consumption (buying to get noticed) Politics - More privileged tend to support a particular political party, in the USA - the Republican party; in Jamaica - the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP); they are more conservative on economic issues but often liberal on social issues; are more likely to vote. Family and Gender Lower class families often are larger due to of marriage and less use of birth earlier age control Higher class families tend to encourage individuality and imagination in their children (not conformity) Lower class families divide responsibilities according to gender (not shared) Higher class individuals’ base friendships on shared interest and leisure activities More single parent household in lower class Health and Longevity The level of healthcare varies widely, even in societies where nearly all have access Preventative care is key - prenatal, regular checkups and screenings Difference in income levels between rich and poor reflects life expectancy of country Wealthier persons live 7 years longer - it is said poverty takes ten years off a person’s life. Education Most well-educated parents socialize their children to value education They can also provide better access to education; lower class tend to lack education and opportunities for furthering education Housing Sanitation and security vary by social class RACE AND RACISM There are no races in the biological sense of distinct divisions of the human species The physical traits chosen to define race are basically arbitrary and could be things such as red hair, ear or nose shape, eye shape, skin colour, hair texture, Terms like Black, White, Asian, and Latino are social groups, not genetically distinct branches of humankind. "Race is a real cultural, political and economic concept in society - which leads to division Functional Analysis of Stratification The Davis-Moore thesis is the assertion that social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operations of a society - the greater the functional importance of a position, the more rewards a society will attach to it. They believe that social stratification provides an effective mechanism for role allocation and performance. Davis and Moore - argue that, in order for society to attract the right talent to fill the myriad of social positions, a differential system of rewards must be offered and based on meritocracy, must be implemented They believe in the functional importance of the job - the role of a doctor is believed to be functionally more important than a janitor; therefore, they must be offered higher rewards than the janitor Natural ability and talent may not be widespread in society. Hence, a system of stratification offering high rewards is necessary to motivate those with the requisite talent to complete, which theoretically would lead to the most skilled and talented filling the important roles in society. A stratification system with differential rewards depending on the functional importance of the job is necessary, to reward people who have to undergo long periods of training and personal sacrifices. Conflict Analysis of Stratification Unlike the functionalist theorist, who see social stratification as useful for the survival and existence of society, conflict theorists see it as a struggle for dominance in society. Those who own the means of production within society maintain their advantageous position in society by controlling or influencing the institutions in society, such as the political system, the educational system and the legal system. The values and ideology of the ruling class become those of the society. KARL MARX'S CONCEPT OF CLASS Marx and Friedrick Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto in 1849. The history of class struggles. linked the emergence of class society to the rise of private property and the state. Class position is defined in terms of the relationship of people's labour to the means of production. - Bourgeoisie who own the land and machinery (ruling class or capitalist) - Proletariat who sell their labour for wages (workers) Once the members become aware that they are being exploited they become a 'class for itself instead of simply a 'class of itself and rise up in revolution. This Class consciousness thus leads to class conflict These struggles advance society to become classless and egalitarian where the private ownership of production and property was abolished...all would be proletarian Proletarian – is the laboring class. especially : the class of industrial workers who lack their own means of production and hence sell their labor to live. Egalitarian – (adjective), believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. (Noun), a person who advocates or supports the principle of equality for all people. MAX WEBER Weber expanded on Marxs' analysis of class to provide a multi-facted view of social stratification. He agreed with Marx on the following: Group conflict is the essence of conflict in society People are driven by self-interest Those people in society who own property are better positioned to defend themselves that those who don't Institutions in society, especially in the economic sphere, are critical to shaping the nature of society The powerful in society use their ideas and values to maintain control over the powerless. Only in extreme and abject situations of exploitation would the exploited people object Weber maintained that there is a relationship between economic based stratification and social status stratification. He observed also that inequality in political power arises when groups in society are able to influence activities to their benefit. For example, members of the business community may lobby the state and political parties to have their interest represented in election campaigns. Lobby, as a verb mean, to seek to influence a legislator on an issue. Importers may 'woo' the estate to lower taxes so that they can maximise their profits. In return for the support of the business community, politicians are promised larger financial support for their campaigne. The smaller local manufacturers may be powerless and therefore unable to engage in political arrangements like those of the more influential members of the business community. Although Weber observed that class, status and power are related, he asserted that they are not the same. For him one can exist without the other. For instance, someone may possess economic power, but may lack, the social status to be accepted in society. THE CONSERVATIVE VIEW Stratification divide people into haves and have-nots (rich and poor). The meager resources of society promotes competition, so that the strongest, the most intelligent, and those with greater capabilities would have access to these resources The more you have power, money and prestige the more you are privileged. CONCLUSION Social stratification is a complex and controversial area of research, it not only deal with facts but with values that suggest how society should be organised. Social stratification can result in increases in social problems such as crime and poverty. It can also result in social conflict and the use of positive discrimination policies may worsen the system it set out to correct. ONE DAY THE POOR WILL HAVE NOTHING Left to EAT BUT THE RICH