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Social Stratification

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Social Stratification

Social stratification is the set mechanism of societies all over the world. It is the way of life which is followed everywhere to ensure the healthy equilibrium of society. Societies have a predilection for stratification because of the several underlying reasons. First of all, societies stratify because of the need for arrangement. Every society aims to arrange individuals and social groups in hierarchical patterns for the simplification of human life. Secondly, the stratification is about creating separate classes in society that have their own way of life and cherished customs. Thirdly, stratification is done on the belief system as well as several groups in the society do not share the common norms and values systems. Fourthly, this division of society is done based on social status which signifies the position of that particular group in the society. Moreover, the conflict theorists opine that this division of society is done for getting the dirty work done in society ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"ET9LbWuP","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(\\uc0\\u8220{}Power and Privilege: A Theory of Social Stratification - Gerhard E. Lenski - Google Books,\\uc0\\u8221{} n.d.)","plainCitation":"(“Power and Privilege: A Theory of Social Stratification - Gerhard E. Lenski - Google Books,” n.d.)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":363,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/ZD9MNZ2P/items/AFJYCGCY"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/ZD9MNZ2P/items/AFJYCGCY"],"itemData":{"id":363,"type":"webpage","title":"Power and Privilege: A Theory of Social Stratification - Gerhard E. Lenski - Google Books","URL":"https://books.google.com.pk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=N8M3CwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT37&dq=social+stratification&ots=OiTNq3w0OW&sig=ug0DiegkDqQfBH9ZDDuFDwJqifI#v=onepage&q=social%20stratification&f=false","accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",7,2]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Lenski, 1996). This division is man-made which aims to uplift the elite section of society and even degrade the lower strata. To summarize, this stratification is found everywhere and considered universal among societies. Nevertheless, the variables of stratification are different in different societies. Furthermore, this division is a life-long process and transfers from one generation to generations. Thus, social classes are formed keeping in view this stratification as they share their unique ethos.

Since this phenomenon of social stratification is universal and found in every culture and society. No society in the world does not divide people according to their power and position. In this purview, American society is no exception as it follows the same pattern of social stratification. If one looks deeply in the American way of life, one observes that American society also considers the position and power factor of a social group and social classes. Basically, six levels of classes exist in American society and each class has its own set of characteristics (Hochschild, 1995) ADDIN ZOTERO_TEMP . The dominant factors in the division of these classes are education, income, talent, skills, profession, family background, level of wealth, achievements, efficiency. This is how the American way of life divides people into several groups and classes. Generally, such classes are broadly categorized into 3 classes: Upper, Middle, Lower. This social class mechanism is so potent that the wealthy rich section of society controls the huge portion of wealth in society. Lower classes have meager resources and they do not have much significance in society. Hence, American society stratifies people in classes according to different determinants of social mobility.

Human societies are never simple in their outlook and substance. They are complex social structures that have their own kind of intricate functionality. This is the reason that individuals are a divide in social groups and classes. The prime objective of social stratification is to enhance the functional equilibrium of society. Every society needs the cooperation of its members. With such means of social stratification. it is assured that upper classes work more and realize their full potential for the betterment of society. Whereas, it is mandatory for lower classes to facilitate the upper class and do the insignificant chores of society. Furthermore, stratification is done to generate more revenue in a society which is the source of a lifeline. Moreover, it facilitates and reinforces the sense of stability an order in society which is quite essential for the social fabric. Social stratification also provides a plenitude of options for occupations. Lastly, who can deny the role of social stratification which is to maintain a good level of social order in society.

References

ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY American Social Classes: Statistical Strata or Social Groups | American Journal of Sociology: Vol 58, No 2. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2019, from https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/221112

Power and Privilege: A Theory of Social Stratification - Gerhard E. Lenski - Google Books.