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The Impact of Social Stratification

Lynda Gordon

University of the Virgin Islands

Fall 2023

October 5, 2023
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The Impact of Social Stratification

Looking around the world, we see the diverse stratification systems and how they affect
people. Every system has social mobility, a change in position within the social hierarchy
(Macionis, 2023, p.296). Closed or caste systems have little to no social mobility. On the
other hand, open or class systems have more social mobility. Based on my identities, this
essay will profoundly explain the effects of the United States of America's social
stratification on my living in the United States Virgin Islands.

Social stratification–one of the main building blocks of human communities– is a system in

which society categorizes people and ranks them in a hierarchy. (Macionis, pg. 296, 2023)
States that social stratification comprises four principles: Social stratification is a trait of
society, not simply a reflection of individual differences. Social stratification carries from
generation to generation. Social stratification is universal but variable. Social stratification
involves not just inequality but beliefs as well. In summary, social stratification is
everywhere; however, depending on the location, people's identities (race, gender, social
class, sexuality, physical attributes, personality attributes, religious beliefs, ethnicity, and so
on) primarily state their position within that society.

The United States of America has numerous stratifications; specifically, I will discuss social
class, gender, race, ethnicity, and sex stratifications. Social class is a controversial topic in
sociology. Sociologists state as many as six or seven social classes because social class
consists of education, occupation, income, lifestyle, and family's reputation in the community
(Barken, 2011). However, for clarity, I will explore the most well-known social classes:
lower class, working class, middle class, and upper class. The income range for the social
class relies on the number of family members. In my case, I live in a family of three.
According to the Pew Research Center 2018 model on income, the lower-income range for a
family of three is less than $50, 697, the middle-income range is $50, 697 to $157, 092, and
the upper-income range is higher than $152, 092. Nevertheless, the income range varies
depending on the location.

There are two ways to evaluate social class: objectively or subjectively. The objective method
classifies people based on criteria (education, occupation, and income). A researcher must be
involved to conduct an objective method to ensure there is no unbiased information. On the
other hand, a subjective method is purely on the person's personal beliefs, thoughts, and
opinions. By using the subjective method, I classify myself as a part of the middle class.

As a middle-class person, I can study in a private school, take private tutor classes, travel,
participate in paid coding programs, and other extracurricular activities. In contrast, a person
in the lower class may have access to different opportunities than me due to the need for
more financial resources. Lower-class people can access the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (food stamps), social welfare programs, and financial aid. These are a
few examples that lower-class people have access to but not middle or upper-class people.

In gender stratification, there are inequalities, including social, economic, political, and
cultural domains. Gender refers to the cultural and social characteristics attributed to men and
women based on perceived biological differences (Baxter & Hoffmann, 2019). As a woman, I
have life chances of a gender pay gap and gender stereotypes in education. When some
people ask what major I would love to pursue in college, and I tell them Computer Science,
they would look at me as crazy. Computer science is a male-dominated field; because of this,
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it is unlikely to hear a woman pursuing a math-related subject. Going into the S.T.E.M. also
raised doubts with my family. My mother paid for a career personality test since she saw my
personality as more fitting for nursing. The nursing profession is gender stereotyped;
according to ("Nursing Teaching Demographics and Statistics in the U.S." 2023), 89.5% of
nurses are females, and 10.5% are males.

Nevertheless, despite nursing being female-dominated, male nurses still earn more than
female nurses. Male nurses earn $71, 246, while female nurses earn $68, 996 ("Nursing
Teaching Demographics and Statistics in the U.S.," 2023). Nursing is a prime example of a
career that is gender stereotyped and with a gender pay gap.

Race and ethnicity are two concepts that relate to human ancestry. Racial stratification
describes the social inequalities or hierarchy based on race. Regarding race, race can
be defined as people who share inherited physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial
features, and stature (10.2 The Meaning of Race and Ethnicity, 2016). Other than racial
stratification, ethnic stratification immensely impacts everyone on the gathering of resources.
Ethnic stratification describes the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and
privileges among different ethnic groups within a society (Newell, 2022). Living on a
predominantly black island as an African American, I did not have to experience a lack of
black teachers, racism, discrimination, and language barriers. However, then again, because I
live on the "good" side of St. Croix and have resources, my experiences are pleasant.

Regarding social class, African Americans living in the "bad" area of St. Croix with few
resources are more prone to limited access to healthcare, education, and discrimination. It is
important to note that there would have been vast differences living in the States; not
experiencing racism or bigotry in the U.S.V.I. will not be the same as living in Alabama.
Alabama's state constitution was written in 1901 by 155 white men. They aimed to "establish
white supremacy in this state" (Thompson, 2022).

Finally, the sex stratification system means one gender, practically always the male gender, is
ranked higher than the female gender to ensure that men only will enjoy significant decision-
making positions that make them control the valued resources in society (Thanni, 2017). St.
Croix and the United States share the same concept of the male gender dominating the
political campaign, but there is more black representation in St. Croix. Being female sex
means more exposure to opportunities of discrimination and violence. Every morning on 95.1
radio, it is expected to hear about domestic violence where the woman is the victim. Gender
roles are based on your sex. From elementary school, I was introduced to gender roles when
the teacher may ask for male students to pick up the chairs or tables.

Overall, social stratification affects everyone differently, positively or negatively. Self-

reflecting on social stratification's impact on me shed light on my privileges and oppression.
Being middle-class gave me opportunities, including having a quality education, traveling,
pursuing hobbies I enjoy, and other extracurricular activities. However, as an African-
American female, I am still vulnerable to countless forms of oppression, such as gender
stereotype education, gender pay gap, discrimination, and violence. I can not change my
initial value in my society. Nevertheless, I can make a difference in my life by moving up the
harsh social stratifications in the United States of America and making a comfortable living
for myself.
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