Social stratification refers to the way that society is structured into different levels or strata, based on factors such as wealth, income, education, occupation, and social status. In most societies, there is a hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups, with some having more power, status, and resources than others. Social stratification refers to the way in which a society organizes itself into hierarchies based on differences in power, wealth, and status.
- Some common definitions of social stratification include:
- The division of a society into layers or strata based on differences in power, wealth, and status.
- The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different groups in society.
- The system of structured inequality in which some people have greater access to resources, opportunities, and social status than others.
- The hierarchical arrangement of social classes, with those at the top enjoying greater privileges and advantages than those at the bottom.
Sociologists define social stratification as a system of structured inequality in which different groups in society are arranged in a hierarchy based on differences in power, wealth, and social status. Social stratification is seen as a fundamental aspect of social organization, and is often linked to issues of social class, race, gender, and other forms of social identity. Some key concepts that sociologists use to understand social stratification include:
- Social class: A category of people who share a similar position in the economic and social hierarchy.
- Social mobility: The ability of individuals or groups to move up or down the social ladder.
- Status: The relative prestige and honor that individuals or groups enjoy in society.
- Power: The ability of individuals or groups to influence or control others.
Sociologists study social stratification to understand how inequality is created and maintained, and to explore ways in which it can be addressed and challenged. Overall, social stratification refers to the way in which societies create and maintain social hierarchies, with some individuals or groups enjoying more privileges and advantages than others based on their social status.
Social stratification is often divided into different levels, such as the upper class, middle class, and lower class, based on an individual’s socioeconomic status. This stratification can also be based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and age. Social stratification can have significant impacts on individuals’ lives, affecting their opportunities for education, employment, healthcare, and social mobility. Those in lower socioeconomic strata often face greater barriers to accessing these resources and may experience higher levels of poverty, inequality, and discrimination.
Various sociological theories, such as
- structural functionalism,
- conflict theory, and
- symbolic interactionism,
offer different perspectives on the causes and effects of social stratification.
Structural functionalism is a sociological theory that emphasizes the ways in which social structures and institutions work together to maintain stability and order in society. According to this theory, social stratification is necessary for society to function effectively. Structural functionalists argue that social stratification serves several important functions in society, including:
Motivating individuals to perform certain roles: Social stratification creates incentives for individuals to pursue certain careers or roles that are seen as higher status or more prestigious. This helps ensure that important tasks are performed by qualified individuals.
Encouraging investment in education and training: In a stratified society, individuals are motivated to invest in education and training to improve their chances of obtaining higher-status jobs.
Allocating resources efficiently: Social stratification helps ensure that resources are allocated in a way that is efficient and productive. Those with higher status and greater resources are able to invest in businesses and innovations that benefit society as a whole.
Encouraging social mobility: While social stratification creates hierarchy, it also provides opportunities for individuals to move up the social ladder through education, hard work, and talent.
Overall, structural functionalism suggests that social stratification is a necessary aspect of society that helps ensure stability, efficiency, and productivity. However, this perspective has been criticized for ignoring the ways in which social stratification can also create inequality and social conflict.
Karl Marx’s conflict theory of social stratification is centered on the concept of social class. According to Marx, social class is determined by a person’s relationship to the means of production, i.e., whether they own the means of production or must sell their labor in order to earn a living. In Marx’s view, there are two main classes in capitalist society: the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class).
The bourgeoisie is the owners of the means of production, such as factories, land, and machinery, while the proletariat must sell their labor in order to earn a wage. Marx argued that the bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat by paying them wages that are lower than the value of the goods and services they produce. This exploitation, according to Marx, is the source of the bourgeoisie’s wealth and power. Marx also believed that social class is a fundamental source of conflict in society. He argued that the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is the driving force behind historical change, as the working class seeks to overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a socialist society based on collective ownership of the means of production.
Overall, Marx’s theory of social stratification emphasizes the role of social class in shaping power relations and driving social change. His ideas have been influential in shaping critiques of capitalism and calling for social justice and economic equality.
Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that focuses on the ways in which individuals interact and communicate with one another to create and maintain social meaning. From a symbolic interactionist perspective, social stratification is the result of social interactions and the meanings that individuals attach to different social positions and roles. According to symbolic interactionism, social stratification is not solely determined by economic factors, but is also influenced by symbolic meanings and social constructions of race, gender, and other social identities. Individuals create and maintain social hierarchies by attaching certain meanings to different social identities, such as associating higher status with whiteness or masculinity.
Symbolic interactionists also emphasize the role of socialization in shaping individuals’ perceptions of social stratification. Through interactions with family, peers, and media, individuals learn the values and beliefs that underlie social hierarchies and internalize these beliefs as part of their own self-concept. This can lead to the reproduction of social stratification across generations. Symbolic interactionists also explore the effects of social stratification on individual behavior and identity. For example, they may study the ways in which individuals adjust their behavior and self-presentation to fit different social roles and expectations based on their position in the social hierarchy.
Overall, symbolic interactionism offers a nuanced understanding of social stratification as a complex social phenomenon that is shaped by both economic factors and symbolic meanings. It emphasizes the importance of social interactions and socialization in creating and maintaining social hierarchies, and the ways in which social stratification affects individual behavior and identity.
In current society, there are several forms of social stratification that exist. One form of social stratification is based on economic class. In many countries, there are distinct classes of people based on their income, wealth, and occupation. Those who are part of the upper class, for example, tend to have significant wealth, high-status jobs, and access to exclusive social networks. Meanwhile, those who are part of the working class or lower class may struggle to make ends meet and may not have access to the same opportunities.
Another form of social stratification is based on race and ethnicity. In many societies, people who belong to certain racial or ethnic groups may face discrimination and marginalization. This can result in disparities in access to education, healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities. Gender is also a significant factor in social stratification. Women have historically been disadvantaged in many societies, with limited access to education, job opportunities, and political power. Although progress has been made in recent years to address gender inequality, women still face significant challenges in many parts of the world.
Other factors that can contribute to social stratification include education, age, and geographic location. For example, people who live in rural areas may have less access to resources and opportunities than those who live in urban areas.
Overall, social stratification remains a significant issue in current society, and efforts are being made to address these inequalities through policies and social movements aimed at promoting greater equality and opportunity for all individuals and groups.
References
- Collins, R. (1979). The Credential Society: An Historical Sociology of Education and Stratification. Academic Press.
- Davis, K. and Moore, W. E. (1945). Some Principles of Stratification. American Sociological Review 10(2):242-49.
- Gilbert, G. N. (1986). Occupational classes and inter-class mobility. British Journal of Sociology, 370-391.
- Grusky, D. (2019). Social stratification, class, race, and gender in sociological perspective. Routledge.
- Hout, M. (2008). Social and Economic Returns to College Education in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology. 34: 247-272.
- Perera, B.A. (2014). Society and Culture. Nuwani Publishers.
W.M. Wathsala Shyamali
Lecturer
Department of Sociology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
