social stratification

CHAPTER 4:
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF STRATIFICATION
Meaning of Stratification
Stratification is an institutionalized pattern of inequality in which social categories are ranked on the basis of their access to scarce resources (Brinkeoff and White, 1988).
“Strata” means “layers”
“UNEQUAL”
Social stratification is a system whereby people rank and evaluate each other as superior or inferior and on the basis of such evaluation, unequally reward one another with wealth, authority, power and prestige.
Inequality refers to the unequal distribution of scarce resources such as:
Wealth – how much of the resources of society are owned by certain individuals. - includes income and properties - it is an element of social stratification
Prestige – degree of honor one’s position evokes. - is an element of status
Power – the degree to which one directs, manages, or dominates others
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
1. It is universal in nature.
2. The existence of a social stratification has many consequences for individuals and groups.
3. Social stratification is a characteristic of society. It is not simply a function of individual differences.
4. Social stratification persists over generation. It transcend from one generation to another.
5. Social stratification is supported by patterns of belief.

IMPORTANCE OF STRATIFICATION
1. Through stratification, men all over, dispel discrimination, stereotyping and prejudice.
2. Men will exert effort in competing with others to attain a status that commands power, privileges and opportunities.
3. Knowledge of social stratification may enable man to adapt to his social environment.
4. Improvement of man’s standard of living.
5. Effect economic development in a society.
6. Attainment of a harmonious and stable society.

THREE MAJOR TYPES OF STRATIFICATION SYSTEM
The Caste System- Pure caste system are closed, with no social mobility at all. The individual’s rank or position is fixed for life on the basis of ascribed or inherited characteristics. Within this system, the individual is simply born into a particular level called a caste and remains in that caste for life. Thus, mobility from one caste to another is impossible.
Example of a caste system in India
Brahmins
- priest and scholars
Ksatriya
- class of warriors
Vaisya
- merchant and farmers
Sudra
- laborers and peasant
The Estate System- This system was characteristic of Europe during the medieval times. It is quite similar to the caste system in that it was relatively closed and rigid but mobility was possible.
Three major feudal estates during the medieval times
Nobility
- The kings, the nobles and the military aristocracy
Clergy
-high-ranking religious leaders to the lower ranking officials of the church.
Peasantry
- farmers, laborers, serfs
The Estate System- In this system, an individual’s class position within the society is determined by his or her personal effort and ability rather than by factors relating to birth. Thus, there is a great deal of social mobility, with people moving up and down the class scale and everyone having an equal chance to attain social and economic rewards.
CONSEQUENCES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Stratification affects life chances. The members of a particular social class have more or less the same life chances of securing the good things in life, such as freedom, a high standard of living, leisure, deference, or whatever things that are highly valued in given society.
Stratification affects life styles. Social classes differ in what they learn, how they behave and how they regard the world around them.
Stratification affects prestige. one of the consequences of social stratification is the amount and kind of attention one receives. Thus, the higher the status of an individual the more likely he is to receive attention from others.
THE SOCIAL CLASS
Meaning of Social Class
1. Social class refers to a group of people having a similar social rank (Garcia, 1992)
2. Social class is a group of people who share a similar position or status (Stark, 1981).
3. Social class is a category of people who share roughly the same class, status, power and who have sense of identification with one another. (Brinkeroff and white, 1988)

TWO SOCIAL AS VIEWED BY KARL MARX
The Bourgeosie (Capitalist)- These are the people who owned productive property such as lands, factories and machinery whose aims are to increase and maximize profit through the labors of others.
The Proletariat (Worker)- they constitute the exploited laboring. This class sells their labor to the bourgeosie in return for a meager income.
Social Classes in the Philippines
Upper Class- These families occupy a high stable position and enjoy high personal income, inherited wealth and economic power. They also exercise control over corporations and government. Their power stem from its great wealth.
Middle class- It comprises approximately 25% of the total population. They are composed of highly mobile intellectuals, technocrats, civil servants, teachers, merchants, traders and small businessmen. They receive modest income. They are the people who belong to the middle level professionals and semi-professionals.
Lower Class- This is the largest of the social class comprising around 72% of the populace. Most of them earn low income, live in simple way and have little or no savings. Most of them are unemployed and underemployed. This group constitutes the great mass of city dwellers, the laboring group, minor clerks, drivers, etc. who rarely own residential properties.

SOCIAL MOBILITY
Meaning of Social Mobility
1. Social mobility is the movement of an individual or group from one social class or social stratum to another (Theodorson, 1969).
2. Social mobility is a change in one’s social status (Brinkeroff, 1988).
TYPES OF MOBILITY
Vertical Mobility- The movement upward or downward from one class level to another.
Horizontal Mobility- this refers to a change of position that goes not involve any real change in class rank.

FACTORS AFFECTING SOCIAL MOBILITY
1. Level of economic development of ones country;
2. Level of industrialization and urbanization;
3. Rapid expansion of the service sector;
4. Availability of opportunities;
5. Competition;
6. Education
CONSEQUENCES OF UPWARD MOBILITY
1. People tend to break under pressure of striving for success, which usually results to loneliness, anxiety, frustration and various types of social disorganization;
2. It involves loosening of family ties and old friendship;
3. Adaptation to new lifestyles;
4. Making new but casual friends;
5. Departing from former places of residence
CONSEQUENCES OF DOWNWARD MOBILITY
1. Loss of self-confidence;
2. Social isolation
3. Desperation
4. Diverse emotional changes;
5. Social and Cultural maladjustment.