Sociology 1

Social Stratification & Global Inequality

Reflection Paper
 Researching information on South Korea and India gave me some awareness of

difference in cultures, lifestyles, and customs; allowing me to compare both together as well as

to the United States. South Korea holds many similarities to the United States as they are both

modernized, but not so many with India as they are considered a third world country. When

researched South Korea and the US are seen with newly advanced infrastructure and tall

buildings, while India holds mainly small towns. Like all countries, low income areas are

common, both South Korea and the United States have locations that are populated by the poor

in need of reform like India.

Other than the typical appearance of the countries, all countries have similar political

methods such as being a democratic republic government that have three separate branches of the

government. Although India has a prime minister and somewhat different forms of governing.

Between South Korea and the US, that have the same open class system they still have different

social factors and individual achievement that determine what class one is put in. For example, in

the US one’s social class is determined by the car they drive, the clothing they have, and all other

materialistic objects. While in South Korea people are grouped mainly by the school of

attendance or the job one has (Sayada, Shaw). In comparison to India who has a closed class

system in which social mobility is not allowed. The religion and culture South Korea would be

one of the major differences between the United States and India that is not too common, other

than Buddhism (India) and Christianity (US).

If I lived in South Korea, the social class I would be a part of might be the middle class

that has lower income parents but has had opportunities for their children to attend a good school

and surpass the achievements of their parents. If a part of this social class, I would be

marginalized, like I am in the US, due to my parent’s occupations and education. Similarly, to
the United States, cases of discrimination is seen throughout South Korea based off appearance

and style of living. Were in the US one is judged on their clothing and physique as well as

luxurious objects. In South Korea, not too many cases of violence due to racism is seen because

the government tends to be stricter and the little cultural diversity seen within the country, in

comparison to the US that has had multiple events, such as Ferguson and the church shooting in

Charleston (Zapotosky). If I lived in India my family and I would most likely be a part of the

Vaisyas, skilled trainers/merchants/minor officials, as my parents are not part of a lower class

that would be considered the “untouchables.” In India, there seems to be a much larger

discrimination toward females than any other race, they are the marginalized as to in the United

States. Although there is a much larger gap between men and women in India, as there is much

machismo within their society. Whereas in the US, we have some rights but not all that should be

given to all females in order to have equality.

The United States has provided some basic rights toward people, but has not provided an

adequate amount of equal justice within social groups. For example, many young adults are

discouraged going to college as they are well informed of the cost. Some students do not have

the parents to afford good universities that provide opportunities for one’s future, so decide to get

a job instead of going to school. There should be equal opportunities for people to succeed

instead of it being based on the money one has; higher education is seen as a necessity, but

priced as a luxury. The United States should learn from South Korea and India regarding the

education system, and charge a fair amount to attend a university as well as provide a reasonable

amount of financial aid directed to those who from a low-income family. Personally, I can

educate high schoolers about different forms of paying for college and all the options they have

in getting a higher education and beyond.

 Works Cited

Andrea Matles Savada and William Shaw, editors. South Korea: A Country Study. Washington:
GPO for the Library of Congress, 1990.

Zapotosky, Matt. “Charleston Church Shooter: 'I Would like to Make It Crystal Clear, I Do Not
Regret What I Did'.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 4 Jan. 2017,
www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/charleston-church-shooter-i-would-like-to-
make-it-crystal-clear-i-do-not-regret-what-i-did/2017/01/04/05b0061e-d1da-11e6-a783-
cd3fa950f2fd_story.html?utm_term=.ec58318ed349.