SOCIAL STRATIFICATION All societies distinguish among their members

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION All societies distinguish among their members on the basis of certain characteristics.

Social stratification � � Almost every society in the course of human history has separated its members on the basis of certain characteristics. Sociologists call this division of society into categories, ranks, or classes social stratification.

Social inequality � The unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards. � What is scarcity?

Types of Stratification systems Caste Systems and Class systems

Caste Systems � � � In these systems, scarce resources and social rewards are distributed on the basis of ascribed statuses. Your status is determined by the status of your parents. Effort and talent may affect someone’s position within a caste, but they cannot help that person move to a higher status.

Indian Caste System This is how India’s social classes were divided until 1950. However, in rural areas, where most Indians live, this system still plays a major role in organizing every day life.

Caste Systems EXOGAMY � Marriage outside of one’s own social category. ENDOGAMY � Marriage within one’s own social category.

Class Systems � In these systems the distribution of scarce resources and rewards is determined on the basis of achieved statuses.

Karl Marx � � � Who owns the means of production? The owners of the means of production are the bourgeoisie. The workers who sell their labor in exchange for wages are called the proletariat.

Max Weber � Believed that class consists of 3 factors: � Property � Prestige � Power

The Dimensions of Social Stratification Wealth, Power, and Prestige

Wealth � � A person’s wealth is made up of his or her own assets-the value of everything the person owns -and income-money earned through salaries, investments, or other capital gains. In the U. S. , wealth is concentrated in the hands of a small minority of the population.

Who has the money?

Distribution of assets in the U. S. 2009

Power � � People with great wealth also usually possess great power. Power is the ability to control the behavior of others, with or without their consent.

Prestige � Prestige is the respect, honor, recognition, or courtesy an individual receives from other members of society. � Factors include: income, occupation, education, family, background, area of residence, possessions, and club memberships.

Socioeconomic Status (SES) � The ranking of people according to wealth, power, and prestige possible, sociologists often calculate people’s SES. � This rating consists of social factors such as: � Educational level � Occupational prestige � Place of residence � income