Social Stratification
Casey Rash, Austin Helms
November 11, 2010
SOC 100 General Sociology; 002
Essay Question: 3
The purpose of this paper will be to address what social stratification is, and why sociologists consider it crucial to our understanding of today’s society. In addition it will also be discussing the three dimensions of social stratification and how we think its changed since the 1970s and 80s to today, and which theory we think best explains this change. Along with how the inequality of valued resources impacts America as a whole, and how the recent financial meltdown has made stratification worse in America. Stratification can be defined as a structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in a society. (Witt, 2010) In simpler terms, stratification is the social inequality in groups of people divided by wealth, power, and rewards in society. The upper class stereotypically receives rare resources, has more power, and receives special treatment. Social stratification consists of four different systems: slavery, caste, estate, and social class. Slavery is the most drastic form of social inequality, because people claim ownership to others and use them as tools or servants. This is easily the worst form of social inequality because individuals are stripped of their rights and treated like property being forced to do any type of labor in horrible living conditions. The second system of social inequality is the caste system, which is, based upon social ranks within a culture or religion, which is also hereditary. Caste is generally but not always religious separation associated with Hinduism. There’re five major castes within Hinduism, Priest (Brahman), Warriors (Kshatriya), Merchants (Vaishya), Austrians/Farmers (Sharuda), and finally the untouchables (Dalit). (Witt, 2010) Caste membership is assigned to you at birth and members are expected to marry within their own caste. The third system of social inequality is
November 11, 2010
SOC 100 General Sociology; 002
Essay Question: 3
The purpose of this paper will be to address what social stratification is, and why sociologists consider it crucial to our understanding of today’s society. In addition it will also be discussing the three dimensions of social stratification and how we think its changed since the 1970s and 80s to today, and which theory we think best explains this change. Along with how the inequality of valued resources impacts America as a whole, and how the recent financial meltdown has made stratification worse in America. Stratification can be defined as a structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in a society. (Witt, 2010) In simpler terms, stratification is the social inequality in groups of people divided by wealth, power, and rewards in society. The upper class stereotypically receives rare resources, has more power, and receives special treatment. Social stratification consists of four different systems: slavery, caste, estate, and social class. Slavery is the most drastic form of social inequality, because people claim ownership to others and use them as tools or servants. This is easily the worst form of social inequality because individuals are stripped of their rights and treated like property being forced to do any type of labor in horrible living conditions. The second system of social inequality is the caste system, which is, based upon social ranks within a culture or religion, which is also hereditary. Caste is generally but not always religious separation associated with Hinduism. There’re five major castes within Hinduism, Priest (Brahman), Warriors (Kshatriya), Merchants (Vaishya), Austrians/Farmers (Sharuda), and finally the untouchables (Dalit). (Witt, 2010) Caste membership is assigned to you at birth and members are expected to marry within their own caste. The third system of social inequality is