Social stratification

Section 1: Systems of Stratification Main Idea Many societies rank their members based on certain criteria, a process called social stratification. Reading Focus What are the characteristics of the two types of stratification systems? What are the three dimensions of social stratification? How do the major theories explaining social stratification differ?

Types of Stratification Systems Social stratification is the division of society into categories, ranks, or classes. These divisions lead to social inequality—the unequal sharing of resources and social rewards.

Open Vs. Closed Access to rewards also varies depending on the degree to which the stratification system is open or closed. In a closed system, movement between the status levels, or strata, is impossible. A person is assigned a status at birth and remains at that level throughout life. Movement between strata is possible and ease of movement depends on the degree of openness in the system

Closed System Open System -Ex: Caste System -Person’s status is assigned at birth -Individual remains in that status -Person’s flexible -Societies range from open to very open

Types of Stratification Systems Caste Systems Closed stratification system Resources and social rewards distributed based on ascribed statuses Lifelong status, or caste, determined by the status of parents Effort and talent might affect position within your caste, but not move you higher Which parent’s status should be used? Prohibits exogamy, or marriage outside of caste; Promotes endogamy, or marriage within caste Caste system in India has been challenged but still plays a major role

Indian constitution in 1950 outlawed discrimination of Harijans and declared everyone equal…still dominant in rural areas. Indian Caste system was developed more than 3,000 year ago, and it assigned people into one of four casts, the last of which are outcasts [unclean, avoided, cannot be touched or you’re considered unclean]

Class Systems Class system more open than closed stratification system Resources and rewards distributed according to achieved statuses Some control over place in society Marx divided society into: Bourgeoisie, or the owners of the means of production Proletariat, or workers who sell their labor in exchange for wages Weber described three factors of class: Property Prestige Power

Cultural Diversity and Sociology Social Stratification Around the World All societies have ways to group their members based on specific characteristics. Ascribed statuses such as race, gender, and age are the most commonly used. Kiwai Papuans: a simple society where everyone lived in similar dwellings and did the same work, but some men “a little more high” and women “down a little bit” Mosuo: matriarchal and matrilineal, females are leaders Democratic Republic of the Congo: stratified by gender, women don’t have same legal rights Maasai: nomadic group, stratified by age-sets South Africa: racial stratification, officially ended in 1994 but still affects life –

Determining Social Class The fewer ascribed statuses used to determine class, the more open the class system. In theory, Americans have equal access to the resources needed for social advancement…but because we have so many social classes, the rate of social mobility is not equal for every segment. Three techniques are used to rank individuals.

Section 3: Poverty Main Idea Reading Focus Americans living below the poverty level have fewer opportunities. Government welfare programs attempt to remedy this situation. Reading Focus How is poverty defined in the United States? What groups of Americans are affected by poverty? What are the effects of poverty on poor Americans? What steps have been taken by the federal government to reduce the effects of poverty?