SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

1. 6/12/2012 1 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Manifestation of Social Inequality

2. 6/12/2012 2 Definitions A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy (Macionis and Plummer) The presence of distinct social groups ranked one above the other in terms of factors such as power, prestige/status and wealth (Haralambos and Holborn)

3. 6/12/2012 3 POWER, PRESTIGE, WEALTH Power - the degree to which groups or individuals can impose their will on others with or without their consent Prestige - the amount of esteem or honour associated with social positions, qualities of individuals and lifestyles Wealth - material possessions defined as valuable

4. 6/12/2012 4 Caribbean Society Plantation Slavery period characterized by pyramidal structure, with broad base largely comprising black population; pinnacle largely comprising white population Contemporary Caribbean society still pyramidal, but with opportunities for upward social mobility (education, work, talents, etc.). Constraints exist however.

5. 6/12/2012 5 Caribbean Society cont�d. From the slavery experience, issues of identity in terms of class, status, culture, power, prestige, race/ethnicity, complexion (colour) find origin Social Stratification best understood within this context

6. 6/12/2012 6 An Example of the Ramifications of Social Stratification TITANIC Tragedy provides a look at manifestations of social inequality & how social position virtually determined life and death Highlights how class turned out to mean much more than the quality of accommodation. It was a matter of life and death

7. 6/12/2012 7 Four Basic Principles 1. S.S is a characteristic of society, not just reflection of individual differences Persons consider social position as a reflection of personal effort & talent. Persons who survived TITANIC did not do so because of any greater ability to swim, or smartness, but rather because of their privileged position on the ship.

8. 6/12/2012 8 Four Basic Principles cont�d. 2. S.S persists over generations 3. S.S is universal but variable (open versus closed; apartheid, caste, class). Form of inequality varies from one society to another 4. S.S involves not just inequality but beliefs. Systems of social inequality give some more resources than others but define certain arrangements as fair

9. 6/12/2012 9 Contemporary Stratification Systems Social and economic stratification Gender stratification Racial/Ethnic stratification Religious stratification Age stratification Other types include disability, sexual orientation, language, dialect and nationalities.

10. 6/12/2012 10 Stratification and Social Mobility Stratification systems differ in opportunities for social mobility Closed systems - provide little opportunities for social mobility. Positions are largely ascribed - fixed at birth - with little room for change of status (Caste, Apartheid systems, Plantation Slavery) Open systems - provide a relatively high rate of social mobility. Positions are largely achieved - earned - with much room for change of status (Class systems such as Contemporary Caribbean society)

11. 6/12/2012 11 Avenues of Social Mobility Formal Avenues : Education; hard work Marriage Family status Talents and Skills Physical Attributes Luck