SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

1. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION By: Prof. Sukhwinder Singh Cheema Unit I B.Ed. Sem -I

2. Social stratification Society is divided on the bases of economic, social, religious and other aspects. Heterogeneity in the society is called as Social Stratification. The concept of “Social Stratification” is made use of to refer to such classification or degree and placement of people in society. Stratification assumes three main forms; caste, class and race.

3. Etymological Meaning of Stratification • Derived from ‘Latin word’ Stratum/Sternere Which Mean a layer of material, naturally or artificially formed, often one of a number of parallel layers one upon another:a stratum of ancient fundations. 2. divisions likened to layers or levels:

4. Etymological Meaning of Stratification 3.Geology. a single bed of sedimentary rock, generally consisting of one kind of matter representing continuous deposition. • 4.Biology. a layer of tissue; lamella. • 5.Ecology. (in a plant community) a layer of vegetation, • 6.a layer of the ocean or the atmosphere distinguished by natural or arbitrary limits. • 7.Sociology. a level or grade of a people or population with reference to social position, education, etc.:the lowest stratum of society. • 8.Linguistics. (in stratificational grammar) a major subdivision of linguistic structure.Compare level (def 17)

5. The status of people is often determined by how society is stratified - the basis of which can include; • Wealth and income - This is the most common basis of stratification • Social class • Ethnicity • Gender • Political status • Religion (e.g. the caste system in India)

6. Etymological Meaning of Stratification • derives from the geological concept of strata - rock layers created by natural processes. • The term most commonly relates to the socio-economic concept of class, involving the "classification of persons into groups based on shared socio-economic conditions ... a relational set of inequalities with economic, social, political and ideological dimensions."

7. Definition of Social Stratification Raymond W Murray – “Social stratification is a horizontal division of society into higher and lower social units”. Ogburn and Nimkoff – “The process by which individuals and groups are ranked in a more or less enduring hierarchy of status known as stratification”. Gisbert – “Social Stratification is the division of society into permanent groups or categories linked with each other by the relationship of superiority and subordination”

8. Williams: Social Stratification refers to “The ranking of individuals on a scale of superiority-inferiority-equality, according to some commonly accepted basis of valuation • . Lundberg: “A stratified society is one marked by inequality, by differences among people that are evaluated by them as being “lower” and “higher”. • Melvin M Tumin: • “Social stratification refers to “arrangement of any social group or society into hierarchy of positions that are unequal with regard to power, property, social evaluation and psychic gratification”.

9. Regarding the origin of stratification many views have been given. (i) According to Davis, social stratification has come into being due to the functional necessity of the social system. (ii) Professor Sorokin attributed social stratification mainly to inherited difference in environmental conditions. (iii) According to Karl Mrax, social factors are responsible for the emergence of different social strata, i.e. social stratification. (iv) Gumplowioz and other contended that the origin of social stratification is to be found in the conquest of one group by another. Origin of Stratification:

10. (v) According to Spengler, social stratification is founded upon scarcity which is created whenever society differentiates positive in terms of functions and powers. • (vi) Racial differences accompanied by dissimilarity also leads to stratification.

11. Types of social stratification • it can be divided into • Caste System – social • Class system – economic • Race – hereditary • Slavery – Hierarchical (DOES NOT PREVAIL NOW SO NO NEED TO DISCUSS)

12. Characteristics of Social Stratification: • On the basis of the analysis of the different definitions given by eminent scholars, social stratification may have the following characteristics. • (a) Social stratification is universal: • There is no society on this world which is free from stratification. Modern stratification differs from stratification of primitive societies. It is a worldwide phenomenon. According to Sorokin “all permanently organized groups are stratified.”

13. (b) Stratification is social: It is true that biological qualities do not determine one’s superiority and inferiority. Factors like age, sex, intelligence as well as strength often contribute as the basis on which statues are distinguished. But one’s education, property, power, experience, character, personality etc. are found to be more important than biological qualities. Hence, stratification is social by nature. • (c) It is ancient: • Stratification system is very old. It was present even in the small wondering bonds. In almost all the ancient civilizations, the differences between the rich and poor, humble andpowerful existed. During the period of Plato and Kautilya even emphasis was given to political, social and economic inequalities.

14. (d) It is in diverse forms: • The forms of stratification is not uniform in all the societies. In the modern world class, caste and estate are the general forms of stratification. In India a special type of stratification in the form of caste is found. The ancient Aryas were divided into four varnas: the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. The ancient Greeks were divided into freemen and slaves and the ancient Romans were divided into the particians and the plebians. So every society, past or present, big or small is characterized by diversed forms of social stratification.

15. (e) Social stratification is Consequential: • Social stratification has two important consequences one is “life chances” and the other one is “life style”. A class system not only affects the “life- chances” of the individuals but also their “life style”. • The members of a class have similar social chances but the social chances vary in every society. It includes chances of survival and of good physical and mental health, opportunities for education, chances of obtaining justice, marital conflict, separation and divorce etc. • Life style denotes a style of life which is distinctive of a particular social status. Life-styles include such matters like the residential areas in every community which have gradations of prestige-ranking, mode of housing, means of recreation, the kinds of dress, the kinds of books, TV shows to which one is exposed and so on. Life-style may be viewed as a sub-culture in which one stratum differs from another within the frame work of a commonly shared over-all culture.

16. Caste system In India, a special type of Social Stratification in the form of caste. The caste is an inseparable aspects of the Indian Society. It is peculiarly Indian in origin and development.

17. Etymological Meaning • Origin of the word – the “Caste” origin into Spanish word ‘casta’ which means “breed, race, strain or a complex of hereditary qualities”.

18. Meaning of Caste • Caste is a hereditary endogamous social group in which a person’s rank and its accompanying rights and obligations are ascribed on the basis of his birth into a particular group. For example- • Brahmins, • Kshyatryas, • Vaishyas and • Sudra Caste.

19. Definition of Caste C.H. Cooley – “When a class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it a caste”. Willams – “Caste is a system in which an individual’s rank and its accompanying rights and obligations is ascribed on the basis of birth into a particular group”. D.N. Mazumdar and T.N. Madan– “Caste is a closed group”.

20. Origin of Caste system • It is difficult to trace the origin of caste system – it originated in India – various theories to explain the origin of caste system. • Racial theory • Political theory • Occupation theory • Traditional theory • Guild theory • Religious theory • Evolutionary theory

21. Racial theory (Varna) According to Mazumdar Caste system originated after the arrival of Aryans in India. Indo-Aryans used the term ‘Varna’ which means ‘colour’. In order to differentiate the groups of people. They called it Dasa Varna – Dasa people. Rigvedic literature stresses very significantly the difference between the Arya and Dasa, not only in their color but also in their speech, religious practices, and physical features. They divided Brahma, Kshatra and Vaishya – Sudra on the basis of Varna (race).

22. Political theory Caste system is a clever device invented by the Brahmins in order to place themselves on the highest ladder of social hierarchy. Ghurye states, Caste is a Brahminic child of Indo- Aryan culture cradled in the land of the Ganges and then transferred to other parts of India. Brahma, Kshatra and Vaishya - Dvija (twice born) Sudra - Ekjati (once born) Based on their duties.

23. Occupational theory Occupation is the base for the origin of caste system. Those who carried out better and respectable profession were considered superior. Nesfield views – Functions and Function alone is responsible for the origin of caste structure in India. Occupational differentiation and numerous subcaste such as lohar, sonar, chamar, nai, mali etc.,

24. Traditional Theory The caste system is of divine (godly) origin. According to this theory castes were created by Brahma in order to make human beings to harmoniously (part of body) perform various social functions necessary for the maintenance of society.

25. Guild theory • Denzil Ibbetson, Consider that caste are modified forms of guilds. • It is the product of interaction of three forces • Tribes • Guilds: a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power • Religion • The priests followed hereditary and endogamous group.(practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such a basis as being unsuitable for marriage or for other close personal relationships. ) • The other guilds also adopted the same practices and in course of time became caste.

26. Religious theory Hocart and Senart are the two main advocates of religious theory. Hocart, its originated on account of religious principles and customs. Senart, has tried to explain the origin of caste system on the basis of prohibitions regarding sacramental food.

27. Evolutionary theory This theory reveals that the caste system did not emerge all of a sudden or at a particular date – it evolved gradually – factors responsible for the evolution of caste system are: Hereditary occupation – the intention of the Brahmins to keep themselves pure – beliefs in the ideas of karma and rebirth – ideas of exclusive family, ancestor worship and the sacramental meal – racial clashes and colour prejudices – geographical isolation of Indian peninsula – static nature of Hindu Society – foreign invasions – Rural economic structure.

28. Features of Caste system

29. Conti.. • Segmental division of society: • The society is divided into various castes with a well developed life of their own. • The status of a person does not depend on his wealth but on the traditional importance of the caste. • Social and religious hierarchy: • The Brahmin in India stand at the apex of the social ladder. • In difference to the high position enjoyed by Brahmins and Sudras were subjected to manifold disabilities.

30. Conti.. • Restrictions on feeding and social intercourse: • Caste is the complex of taboos by which the superior castes try to preserve their ceremonial purity. • The caste have rules are laid down with regard to the kind of food that can be acceptable by a person and from what castes. • Endogamy: • Every caste is sub-divided into sub-castes, everyone of which forbids its members to marry persons outside it.

31. Conti… • Restricted choice of occupation: • Members of a particular caste are expected to follow the caste occupation. • The caste members did not allow other than own to follow their occupation. • Civil and religious disabilities: • The impure castes are made to live on the outskirts of the city. Etc., • The public schools did not admit impure castes person.

32. Features of caste in India today Restrictions on food habits have been relaxed. Caste is not very much associated with the hereditary occupation. Exogamy (inter-caste or inter-religion marriage). The constitution of India removed and made all caste are equal. Caste Panchayat have either become very weak. Touchable and Untouchable is not felt among literate people.

33. Conti… The influence of caste system is slowly decreasing. Social interaction and social relationships has been establishing in the society without seeking the caste background. It is not dictating individual’s life or its freedom, it is not barrier for the individual’s progress. Industrialization, urbanization, westernization etc., changed the role of caste system.

34. Merits of caste system Spirit of co-operation. Define economic pursuits. Racial purity. Influence intellectual make-up. Integration of the country. Provides for various functions. (division of labour) Cultural diffusion.

35. Demertis of caste system Denies mobility of labour. Untouchability. Solidarity retarded. Wrong man in occupation. Obstacle to national unity. Obstacle to social progress. Undemocratic. Promotes casteism.

36. Social Class System & Status Status – basic criterion of social class. Each particular social class has its own particular social behaviour, its standards and occupations. It is a culturally defined group, that is ‘accorded a particular position or status within the population as a whole’. The relative position of the class in the society arises form the degree of prestige attached to the society. Status is the basic criterion of social class or, in other words class is a status group.

37. What is class? • Class is large set of people regarded by themselves or others as sharing similar status with regard to wealth, power and prestige.

38. Class • A person's economic position in a society. • (group) set of people with similar amounts of income and wealth.

39. Definition of Social Class Ogburn and Nimkoff – “A social class in one or two or more broad groups of individuals who are ranked by the members of the community in socially superior and inferior positions”. Max Webber – “Class or aggregates of individuals, who have the same opportunity of acquiring good, the same exhibited standard of living”.

40. Importance/Functions of Social Classes • Simplification: • In a society we deal with many strangers, all of whose characteristics we cannot possibly know. • Therefore, we resort to the practice of classifying them and reacting to them as members of a class . • Motivation and Co-ordination: • The prestige which is to be accorded to them enables a class to perform more readily the functions expected of it.

41. Class Based Stratifications Criterion of birth: Birth is an important factor in deciding class of the individual. A person born in Upper, Middle Or Lower class is a major base of deciding Class .On the bases of Birth there are following divisions of the class: A) Lower-Middle-Upper B) Brahamin, Kshatrya and Vaishya - Sudra

42. Class Based Stratifications Criterion of Wealth: This is Known as economic base of social classification/stratification. Wealth is an another criteria for deciding class of the person. Ancestral possession of wealth or wealth generated by the person with self efforts declare class of the person. The wealth based classes are as following: A) Upper Class: Higher Upper-Middle Upper- Lower Upper B) Middle Class: Higher Middle -Middle Middle - Lower Middle C) Lower Class: Higher Lower(Border Line) -Middle Lower(BPL)- Lower Lower ( Severe Poverty)

43. Class Based Stratifications • Criterion of occupation: • It has two bases of division: • 1. Sectorial Division: • A) Primary Sector: Labour Class( Unskilled) • B) Secodary Sector: Skilled Worker • C) Tertiary Sector: Professionals • 2. Based on work: Blue Collar- White Collar • 3. Category of Work: A grade/ First Class • B Class/ Second Class • C Grade/ Third Class • D Grade/ Fourth Class

44. Class Based Stratifications • Criterion of polity. Political stratification concerns the unequal distribution of political rewards and inequalities in access to political offices. Rosario, “Political stratification: a regime featuring political inequalities, with privileged access to political offices for some. A basic division into rulers and ruled, leaders and subjects, or elite and commoner groups.’ Another division is local, state and national Leader

45. Class Based Stratifications • Criterion of education: • Differential standard of Educational Institutions:1. Primary Education: Primary education should seek to satisfy the basic needs of allpeople. There should not be any differentiation of curricula at this stage. quality of educational opportunities at the primary stage requires provision of free and compulsory education for all children without any discrimination.2. Secondary Education: Individual differences among boys and girls are more prominent at the secondary stage diversified curricula should be introduced to cater tothe needs, interests and capabilities of students.3. Higher Professional Education: At the stage of higher education and professional education emphasis should be placed on individual capacity or merit andmaintenance of quality and standard.4. Compensatory Education: Disadvantaged children have an unstimulating environment. They attend primary schools without prerequisite learning which are necessaryfor successful completion of primary education.

46. Common School System: • Adarsh School System: • Model School System: • Meritorious School System: • Kendriya Vidayalya School System: • Navodya Vidayalya School System: • State Board School • CBSE- CSIE- AICSIE Schools  • Govt.-Private- Day Boarding- Convent Schools

47. Social Mobility – Meaning &Types Change the social status from one place to another place its called as Social Mobility. For.example. A person becomes a minister from an ordinary shopkeeper, his status is also enhanced. On the other hand if the minister losses his job and comes to his old shop, the status enjoyed by him as a minister is lost. Thus its seen that people in society continue to move up and down the status or the scale. This status or class movement is called Social Mobility.

48. Types of Social Mobility Social Mobility is to be distinguished form migration which is movement in geographical area. Vertical and Horizontal Mobility. Open and Closed Modes of Mobility. Inter-generational Mobility.

49. Vertical and Horizontal Mobility • Vertical Mobility: • Movement in any or all of the three areas of living; class, occupation and power involving status changes. • Horizontal Mobility: • Changes of residence or job without status change, such as teacher’s leaving one school to work in another school.

50. Open and Closed modes ofMobility • Open system mobility: • Its refers to the free movement in status changes. • In such a system, status can be achieved, mobility is motivated and encouraged. • Closed Model of Mobility: • Its refers status is based on birth or caste. • When a society ascribes to its members, deferent degrees of status on the basis of sex, religion and caste.