Stratification is defined as the "act or process or arranging of persons into classes or social strata" by dictionary definition. Stratification is actually a pretty wide concept. Thus, we break it up into different elements, including: inequality. Yeah, you hear inequality talk everywhere but... you're gonna hear it again.
Inequality is the act of people being better placed in society over others, and signals which group these people belong to. You'll find that people in the same group often share similar characteristics (culture, interests, life chances).
The first division is class. The UK's statistics show that the higher a class one is born into, the higher chances they have of surviving in their first year of birth, perform in school, live longer, and retain their natural teeth (woah, weird). The more wealth one has, the more they can afford. They can afford better schooling, health care, etc.
The next division is gender. Gender's only recently considered a part of stratification, but it's been an issue for quite a long time. Despite there being more women than men within the US, they still have generally a less successful life and less power than the men. Also, they tend to earn less than men, and are outnumbered in important positions.
Ethnicity is another dimension of stratification. There are obvious differences in the economic and social standing between ethnic groups. Prejudice is still quite strong today, and many people do not get the positions they deserve or the same exact chances due to their ethnicity.
Age is the final one (at least that I'll bring up). The youngest and the oldest hold the least power within our society (though in other parts of the world, the elderly are well respected). No matter your age, there is someone who considers your wisdom not wisdom-y enough because you're either too young or too old. Certain buildings and organizations do not allow children, as well (as another example of the age factor).
That's really all I have to say. Social divisions may suck, but I don't really see how there's any other way.
Yeah, I agree social stratification is pretty much unavoidable. Not everyone can be all rich and fancy.
ReplyDeleteSocial stratification is biased, subjeective, and in some cases even unethical. But at the end of the day, we need it. Good blog!
ReplyDeleteYup social stratification is just one of those things that we can't get rid of because it's a necessity...in my opinion. I appreciate the detailed explanations of each element.
ReplyDeleteNice blog. The major element of inequality which exist wiorldwide, exists mostly in gender.
ReplyDeleteHaha "...you're gonna hear it again." Good point about the women outnumbering the men yet they're still being afforded less opportunities.
ReplyDeletegood job, as always! so, this social stratification thing, yeah, it's not going anywhere, it really isn't.
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