1. Social Stratification
Chapter 9: 1
Systems of Stratification

2. What is SOCIAL STRATIFICATION?
The division of society into categories, ranks, or classes based on certain characteristics

3. If it were up to you to distribute scarce resources and social rewards to members of society, what criteria would you use to stratify the society? Discuss with your neighbors and jot down a few criteria.

4. Types of Stratification
Vary from society to society
Often based on ascribed status- ancestry, race, age, physical appearance, gender
May also be based on achieved status- education, occupation
Talent and effort may also be factors

5. What is the result of social stratification?
Social inequality-
the unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards

6. Types of Stratification Systems
CLOSED SYSTEM- movement between the strata (status levels) is impossible = Caste systems
OPEN SYSTEM- movement is possible; ease of movement depends on degree of openness = Class systems

7. Caste Systems Based on ascribed status
A child’s caste is based on his/her parents’ caste
Elaborate norms
Endogamy- marriage between same castes only; Exogamy – marriage outside one’s social category, is forbidden

8. Caste Systems Common in South Asia, esp. India
Indian caste system developed 3,000 years ago
New constitution adopted in 1950 declared equality and outlawed discrimination against low castes
In cities, caste lines have since blurred, but they remain important everyday life for most Indians, who live in rural areas

9. Indian Caste System

10. Class Systems Based on achieved status
One can move up the social ladder with talent, effort, and opportunity
Circumstances can also reduce one’s social standing

11. Marxist View of Class
Defines class in terms of who owns the means of production (materials and methods used to produce goods and services)
Class divided into two groups:
Owners/”Have’s”= bourgeoisie
Workers/Have not’s= proletariat

12. Weber’s View of Class
Consists of 3 factors
Property
Prestige
Power

13. Dimensions of Social Stratification
Many sociologists today adopt Weber’s view and define social class as a grouping of people with similar levels of wealth, power, and prestige

14. WEALTH Assets- everything a person owns
Income- money earned through salaries, investment returns, or other capital gains
In the U.S. the richest 1% control more than 1/3 of the country’s wealth (208 chart)
Recent research shows income gap is growing (1980, income ratio of executive to worker was 42:1; In 1997, it was 327:1)

15. POWER
The ability to control the behavior of others, with or without their consent
May be based on force, a special skill or knowledge, social status, custom or tradition, or personal characteristics

16. PRESTIGE
The respect, honor, recognition, or courtesy an individual receives from other members of society
Based on any characteristics a society deems important
Income, occupation, education, family, where you live, possessions, club memberships
Occupation most important in U.S. (209 chart)

17. SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
Rating that combines social factors such as educational level, occupational prestige, and place of residence with the economic factor of income
Used to determine an individual’s relative position in the stratification system

18. SURVEY DIRECTIONS
Ask 10 people which they would prefer- wealth, power, or prestige? (you may need to define prestige for them; see previous slide)
Results due Mon. Feb points
Make sure when you ask them they have not already been asked to ensure valid data
Record briefly if they explain their choice

19. Explaining Stratification FUNCTIONALIST THEORY
a necessary feature of the social structure
certain roles in society must be played to maintain society
The more important the role and the higher the skill needed, the higher the reward
However, not everyone in society has equal access to resources like education!
Ignores talent in lower classes
Rewards sometimes do not reflect the social value of the role (pro athletes)

20. Explaining Stratification CONFLICT THEORY
Competition is cause of inequality
Owners exploit workers
Groups compete with other groups for resources; when one group gains power, it can shape public policy and opinion
Fails to recognize unequal rewards are in part due to differences in talent, skill, and desire