S New Zealand/Aotearoa a Classless Society?

Introduction to Sociology and Community Development
CSTU 5110-2167

Lecturer: Dr Denys Delany

ESSAY

IS NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA A CLASSLESS SOCIETY? DISCUSS – IF SO WHAT DEFINES THIS STRUCTURE? – IF NOT WHAT IS THE MAIN BASIS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA?

Due date: 13th April 2007

Student Name: Ali Rankin Student ID: 1282990 Email: ([e-mail]) Address: 49 Alfriston Road, Manurewa, Auckland Phone: [phone]

I declare the following to be my own work, unless otherwise referenced, as defined by Unitec New Zealand’s policy on plagiarism.
This essay will argue that New Zealand/Aotearoa is not a classless society. Moreover, it will also be demonstrated that New Zealand is a stratified society of which class is only one part, and that gender is the basis of social stratification. This discussion will begin with a definition of some key terms. In determining that New Zealand is not a classless society, the historical definition of class will be examined and then developments in New Zealand’s society explored to ascertain the place class occupies in contemporary New Zealand society. At this point the discussion will revert to the position that gender is the dominant form of stratification and evidence will be provided to support this. Throughout the essay the effect of the industrial revolution will be explored as a mechanism that contributed to both class and gender consciousness. In concluding, an explanation of my own socially constructed perspective which has informed the position I have adopted will also be offered.

Before proceeding with this argument, it is first necessary to define two key terms used in discussing this topic: class and stratification. Stratification refers to the hierarchical organisation of groups within a society and the social inequality this produces (Jary & Jary, 2005). Stratification and

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