The Positive Relationship Between Social Stratification and Social Inequality

The Positive Relationship Between Social Stratification and Social Inequality

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups into different social classes, statuses, or categories within a society. This system of stratification is based on various criteria such as wealth, power, prestige, occupation, education, and other social attributes. Notably, social stratification and social inequality are closely intertwined concepts that refer to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups within a society based on the criteria mentioned above. Some of the key elements of social stratification include hierarchical structure. Accordingly, social stratification involves the ranking of individuals or groups into higher and lower positions within a social hierarchy. This hierarchy is characterized by unequal access to resources, opportunities, and privileges.

The second element is inequality whereby social stratification results in unequal distribution of wealth, power, and resources among different social classes or groups. Those in higher strata generally have greater access to resources and enjoy more privileges and opportunities than those in lower strata. The final element is social mobility whereby social stratification can influence individuals’ opportunities for social mobility—the ability to move up or down the social ladder. While some societies offer greater mobility and opportunities for advancement, others may have more rigid or limited mobility based on ascribed characteristics.

This paper will explore the correlation between social stratification and social inequality and prove my hypothesis that social stratification does lead to social inequality.

DISCUSSION

One of the ways that social stratification creates social inequality is through structural inequality. Through social stratification, structures are created within society that systematically distribute resources, opportunities, and rewards unequally among different social groups. This structured inequality is perpetuated through institutions, norms, and practices that reinforce the existing hierarchy. One example of structural inequalities is the access to resources; individuals in higher social strata often have greater access to resources such as quality education, healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities. Conversely, those in lower strata may face barriers to accessing these essential resources. A study conducted by Chew, Satpathy, and Wong (2020: 81) showed that the SAT scores of students were highly correlated to where the said students resided¹.

Students who resided in well-off neighborhoods or rather came from families with high socio-economic status, then they were most likely to have high scores compared to those who came from low-income neighborhoods.

Notably, SAT scores determine where the students can go to college, the courses they can take, and the quality of education they get. After that, their college then determines their careers for the rest of their lives. Suppose a student is unfortunate enough to come from a low-income neighborhood, their life projection is due to the effect of social stratification on social inequality, and the systems in place are against their success. All these then lead to a certain group of people never leaving the low stratification while another dominates the upper stratification. In addition, it also leads to occupational segregation, which is described as the tendency to concentrate certain groups in specific low-wage and low-ranking occupations. These occupations not only offer lower wages, but they also offer little to no opportunities for career advancement and fewer benefits.

Additionally, social stratification is closely linked to power dynamics within society (Griffiths et al., 2020: 242). Individuals or groups in higher strata typically possess more power, influence, and control over societal institutions and processes, enabling them to maintain their privileged position and perpetuate inequalities. Social stratification also influences individuals’ life chances and outcomes in various domains, including education, income, health, and social mobility. Those in higher social strata generally have better life chances and outcomes, while those in lower strata face disadvantages and challenges that limit their potential. Social stratification affects social mobility and individuals’ ability to move up or down the social ladder (Noble, 2000: 35) In societies with rigid stratification systems, social mobility may be limited, leading to persistent inequalities across generations. Finally, social stratification influences perceptions, stereotypes, and attitudes toward different social groups. Stereotypes associated with lower strata can contribute to stigmatization, discrimination, and prejudice, perpetuating social inequalities and divisions.

Subsequently, social class systems are structured hierarchies that categorize individuals based on various factors such as wealth, occupation, education, and social status. Within these systems, both ascribed status and achieved status play crucial roles in shaping individuals’ positions and experiences. However, the relative importance of ascribed status versus achieved status can vary depending on the specific social class system and cultural context.

In the Caste system, the ascribed status is paramount. Individuals are born into specific castes and remain in those castes throughout their lives. Ascribed status is determined by birth, family lineage, and hereditary factors. Achieved status is relatively less important in a caste system since individuals’ opportunities for social mobility and advancement are highly constrained by their ascribed status. In the class system, the ascribed status, and ascribed factors such as family background, inherited wealth, and social connections can influence individuals’ opportunities and experiences. However, the importance of ascribed status may be more pronounced in certain contexts or societies where social mobility is limited. Achieved status is highly valued in a class system as it reflects individuals’ efforts, abilities, and achievements. Education, occupation, and income are significant markers of achieved status, and individuals can move up or down the social ladder based on their achievements and merit.

In the meritocracy, the ascribed status is generally considered less important than the achieved status. The emphasis is on individual merit, talent, and effort rather than on ascribed characteristics or family background. The achieved status is highly valued in a meritocracy, and individuals are rewarded based on their abilities, achievements, and contributions to society. The system promotes social mobility and provides opportunities for individuals to improve their social standing through their efforts and accomplishments. Finally, in traditional societies, with rigid social hierarchies, ascribed status based on factors such as gender, age, and family background may be highly significant. Individuals’ roles, responsibilities, and opportunities are often determined by their ascribed status. The importance of achieved status may be limited in traditional societies where social roles and expectations are primarily based on ascribed characteristics rather than individual achievements or merit.

CONCLUSION

In summary, social stratification profoundly influences individuals’ daily lives, shaping their access to resources, opportunities, social interactions, and overall well-being. Social classes determine what kind of resources one has access to for example in the education case. Individuals from upper classes can access quality education which equips them to handle SAT tests. On the contrary, people from low-income classes go to schools with fewer resources, which means that they are not as well equipped to handle SATs as their upper-class counterparts. Both the quality and quantity of resources that individuals from high social strata get access to is significantly different from what those in lower strata classes get. This imbalance then creates a cycle of social inequity that ensures that one group is oppressed and stays at the bottom while the other one benefits and remains at the top. Prospects for future research trends should focus on strategies to address social stratification and how to promote greater equality with the main objective of creating a more just and inclusive society where all individuals can thrive and fulfill their potential.

REFERENCES

Chew, Brianna, Satpathy Asish., & Wong Elain. 2020. “Geospatial analyses to determine academic success factors in California’s K-12 education’. Annals of GIS, 26(2), 81–100. doi.org/10.1080/19475683.2020.1739141

Griffiths Heather, Keirns Nathan, Strayer Eric, Cody-Rydzewski Susan, Scaramuzzo Gail, SadlerTommy, Vyain, Sally, Bry Jeff., & Jones Faye. 2020. “Social Stratification in the United States”. Pp. 235–260 in Introduction to Sociology. OpenStax College, Rice University.

Noble, Trevor. 2000 ‘The mobility transition: Social mobility trends in the first half of the twenty-first century’, Sociology, 34(1), pp. 35–51. doi:10.1017/s0038038500000043.

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The Positive Relationship Between Social Stratification and Social Inequality

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