Social Stratification and Social Mobility

 Stratification indicates the arrangement of an individual’s position or class according

to the value accorded to his various roles and activities.
 Our society is layered structure showing various types of inequalities.
 These inequalities ranges from distribution of wealth, exercise of power and various
levels of influence.
 Social scientists describe social stratification as social inequality as a condition in
which members of a particular society have amounts of wealth, power, prestige or
social position.
 Stratification referred to the “hierarchy of inequality” (Budwieser, 1965), indicates the
arrangement of the individual’s position or class according to the value accorded to
his various roles and activities (Barber, 1952)

 Components of Social Stratification

o Class
o Power
o Status

 Dimensions of Social Stratification

1. Economic Dimension refers to the inequalities in the distribution of material
products, resources and even the control of means of production. One of the primary
functions of society is to ensure the equitable distribution of material resources to meet
adequately the increasing demands of its people.
2. Power Dimension this refers to inequality of chances the individuals are
afforded to impose and realize their own will in a communal action even against the
resistance of others who are participating in the action (Weber in Sociological
Perspective, 1973)
3. Prestige Dimension is the distinction or reputation arising from success,
achievement, rank or wealth. It is defined as a “relative value ascribed to a status
irrespective of who occupies it” (Budwieser, 1965)

 Types of Social Stratification

1. Estate stratification system was associated with feudal societies during the Middle
Ages and this was based on family’s relation to land. The Estate system or Feudalism
required peasants to work on land leased to them by the nobles in exchange of military
protection of the land from invaders and other services. Nobles achieve varying
degrees of authority.
2. Caste is ascribed at birth. Caste are hereditary systems of rank, usually dictated
on the basis of religious belief. The caste system is generally associated with Hindu
religious faith in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
There are four major castes in India called varnas
2.1 Brahmins a Hindu of the highest caste traditionally assigned to the
priesthood.
2.2 Vaishyas a Hindu of an upper caste traditionally assigned to commercial and
agricultural occupations.
2.3 Kshatriya a Hindu of an upper caste traditionally assigned to governing and
military occupations.
2.4 Sudra a Hindu of a lower caste traditionally assigned to menial occupations.
 The untouchables are considered to be the lowest and have no place within this
system of stratification.
 The caste determines their status, identity, education and occupation and members
are expected to marry within the same caste.
 The 1950 Constitution of India abolished discrimination against untouchables, who
traditionally had been excluded from temples, schools and most forms of
employment.
3. Close System is exists when a group of people are given different opportunities,
depending on the characteristics they were born with, such as color, gender, or the
economic situation of their parents. In a closed system, you are stock in your level.
4. Class System is a social ranking based primarily on economic position and based on
various closely related factors- wealth, the power derived from wealth, and life chances
to improve an individual income.
 Class system are marked by unequal distribution of wealth and power.
 Class system does not mean absolute equality but it provides equal opportunity
for social advancement.
 Class is seen by sociologists as a key determinant of people’s values, attitudes
and behavior.
 The existence of social mobility.
 Social Mobility is the movement of people from one class to another.
 Types of Social Mobility
o Vertical Social Mobility
o Horizontal Social Mobility
o Intergenerational Social Mobility
o Intragenerational Social Mobility
 Karl Marx believed that classes arise out of the productive system of a society. For
Marx, industrial societies were composed of two major social classes: bourgeoisie
and proletariat.
 Max Weber believed that stratification systems were based on three elements:
wealth, status (or prestige), and power.

 Consequences of Social Stratification

o Social Stratification affects life style
o Social Stratification affects life chances
o Social Stratification affects prestige

Answer the following questions:

1. Describe the stratification system in the Philippines. Identify the determinants of
social class that influence social ranking in our society.
2. What could be the reasons why there are more people belonging to the lower class in
the rural areas than those in the urban areas?
3. What factors affect social mobility? Identify the barriers of social mobility? Explain
each barrier.
4. Discuss the importance of Social Stratification.
5. Explain the different types of social mobility. Cite examples

Pass your answer on or before March 28, any time of the day. Please
keep your original copy.