Society is Composed of Different Groups - Lecture Notes

Target Society is composed of different groups with different social structures, that is some groups are higher or lower than other groups. All societies of any size, large or small have a social structure. Though, as societies grow larger, more often different groups are formed within them. Social stratification results when one group has a functional importance in the community while others do not. In the previous lesson, you have examined the functions and importance of educations in the society. You have learned that education is an essential part of any society because this is the primary way of enlightening an individual with each aspect of life. It is therefore a must that the school system delivers to society individuals whose abilities have been developed sufficiently so that they are able to assume positive and productive societal roles. Moreover, for the preservation and enhancement of knowledge and the development of character within our given form of society which will best prepare the individual for the conditions of extreme novelty the near future is bringing. This lesson will provide you with information and various activities that will help you understand the concept, characteristics and forms of stratification systems using sociological perspective. After going through this lesson, you are expected to examine the concept, characteristics and forms of stratification systems using sociological perspective. Specific Learning Objectives: 1. explain the meaning and nature of social stratification 2. distinguish social stratification and social differentiation 3. identify the indicators of social stratification 4. differentiate the characteristics of the systems of social stratification 5. analyze the claims and explanations of the structural-functionalists, conflict theorists, and symbolic-interactionists on social stratification Jumpstart Directions: Analyze each statement below. Write TRUE if it is correct, otherwise FALSE. Place your answers in a separate sheet of paper. 1. Social stratification the process where a society determines a person'sworth based on their income and wealth, as well as other characteristics like gender,class and age, and distributes social rewards accordingly. 2. Social stratification is only found in industrialized socieities. 3. From a structional-functinalist perspective, poverty may serve positive functions for society. 4. A class system is more closed than a caste system. 5. Ethnicity is constructed from cultural traits, whereas race is constructed from biological traits 6. Estate systems of social stratification have two classes. 7. Different societies have different explanations of why people should be unequal 8. Caste systems are characterized by a high level of equality. 9. The idea that social inequality plays a vital role in the smooth operation of society is consistent with the structural-functional approach. 10. The caste system is a more open straification system than a class system Discover Inequality is found in all societies irrespective of time or place. All human societies from the simple to the most complex have some form of social inequality. In particular, power and prestige are unequally distributed between individuals and groups. Societies may differ in the degree of inequalities and nature of stratification. In all societies people differ from each other on the basis of their age, sex and personal characteristics. Human society is not homogeneous but heterogeneous. Apart from the natural differences, human beings are also differentiated according to socially approved criteria. Society is divided based on economic, social, religious and other aspects. Heterogeneity in society is called social stratification. Social stratification is an inherent character of all societies. It is historical as we find it in all societies, ancient and modern; and it is universal as it exists in simple or complex societies. The social differentiation on the basis of high and low is the historical heritage of all societies. Meaning and Nature of Social Stratification Sociologists use the term social stratification to describe the system of social standing. There are various meanings of social stratification and is defined as follows: It refers to what sociologists call it as “ institutionalized inequality” of individual or “social injustice” due to social categories (Ariola, 2012). It is an institutionalized pattern of inequality in which social categories are ranked on the basis of their access to scarce resources Brinkerhoff & White, 1988). It is the way people are ranked and ordered in society (Cole, 2019). It is a system whereby people rank and evaluate each other as superior or inferior and, on the basis of such evaluation, unequally reward one another with wealth, authority, power, and prestige. One result of each differentiation is the creation of a number of levels within the society. (Hebding & Glick, 1992) It is the hierarchical arrangement and establishment of social categories that evolve into a social group together with statuses and their corresponding roles. (Panopio el al., 1994) It is the differentiation of a given population into hierarchically superposed classes. It is manifested in the existence of upper and lower social layers. Its basis and very essence consist in an unequal distribution of rights and privileges, duties and responsibilities, social values and privations, social power and influences among the members of a society (Sorokin, 1927). Social Stratification is Distinguished from Social Differentiation Social differentiation refers to how people can be distinguished from one another. People in a group may differ in skin color, hair color, race, mental and physical ability, and the like. Social stratification refers to the ranking of people in a society. In closed stratification, people cannot change their ranks while those in open social stratification, people can change their ranks. In short social stratification is the separation of people into social categories and these categories are ranked as higer or lower. Indicators of Social Stratification There are some people that are treated in another way because of the social status, power, income, prestige and among others that they hold in their society (Arcinas, 2016). The individual’s position in the social structure is called status. The higher or lower positions that come about through social stratifications are called statuses. Statuses are not the same. One may get different statuses in different ways. They can be ascribed or achived. Ascribed statuses are assigned or given by the society or group on the basis of some fixed category, without regard to a person’s abilities or performance. These include sex, family background, race, and ethnic heritage. You did nothing to earn these statuses; you have no control over these characteristics and no opportunity or chance to choose your family, your sex, and your race. In the Philippines, the children of Ayala’s and the Zobel’s have ascrived statuses (Zulueta, 2006). Whereas, achieved statuses are earned by the individual because of his or her talent, skills, occupation and persevernace. These include, degree or educational attainment, promotion, position, earned wealth and the like. For example, Nora Aunor has moved up in the social ladder because of her beautiful voice and singing talent. Prestige refers to the evaluation of status. You have prestige according to your status. For example, being the president of the Supreme Student Government of your school, you have the prestige of a president whether or not you perform and carry out well the duties and responsibilities of SSG president (Baleña et.al., 2016). According to Max Weber, most societies would favor those with power, prestige, status, wealth or class. According to Weber’s Component Theory on Social Stratification, these three would determine a person’s standindig in his/her community: 1. Power refers to the ability to influence other people. It is getting what they want despite the unwillingness of others to give in to their desires. 2. Prestige refers to the person’s position in the society. This refers to having a certain status that enables someone to have resources or opportunities. 3. Wealth refers to the amount of resources that a person has (Arcinas, 2016). As mentioned by Ariola (2012) in his book, one may be viewed as belonging to the upper social strata or lower social strata depending on the following dimensions: 1. Sources of Income. There are different sources of income. These are the inhereted wealth, earned wealth, profits, professional fees, salaries, wages, private relief, among others. Wealth is everything that is owned by a person. Inherited wealth is acquired since birth and without effort. Acquired wealth is achieved through ones effort either by talent, income or by marriage. Income refers to the amount of money a person receives. 2. Occupation. What people do for a living determines, to a large extent, the social position of the person. Occupation may be classified into professionals, non-professionals (clerks, drivers, etc) proprietors of small business, skilled workers, semi skilled workers, and unskilled workers. Examination of the mentioned occupations indicates disparities in prestige, income and power. 3. Education. Educational attainment of a person may be categorized as masteral or doctoral degree holder, college graduate, high school graduate, elemetary school drop-out, among others. Possession of the person of any of these educational backgrounds may characterize the person’s status in the community. 4. Types of house dwellings. Dwellings can be categorized as permanent house (concrete and excellent in appearance), semi-permanent house (semi-concrete and very good in appearance and construction), temporary house (wood and fair in appearance and construction), and poorly constructed house (houses found in squatter areas, or those considered below-the-bridge houses). 5. Location of residence. Power, prestige and wealth are also attached to the location of residence. There is disparity of social status when one residence is located in Forbes Park, White Plains, squatter area, mountainous-rugged area, in subdivision and non-subdivision area. 6. Kinship or family. In the Philippines, when a person belongs to the Ayala’s, Soriano’s, Zobel’s, Villar’s, that person is regarded as belonging to the upper class (rich) status. Children of sultans and datus are hgihly regarded as rich. If a person is from a family whose house is situated in the squatter’s area, that person is regarded as poor or belonging to lower class status. Types of Social Stratification and their Characteristics Generally, there are three (3) known types of social stratification: open systems, closed systems and ethnic systems ( Ariola, 2012). Sociologists distinguish between two types of systems of stratification – open system and closed system. For the anthropologists, they include ethnic system as another type of social stratification. A. Open System General Characteristics The class structure is an open system. It encourages people to strive and achieve something. People belonging to one social class have similar opportunities, similar lyfestyles, attitudes, behavior and possibly similar socio-economic positions. It is based on aachievement, allow movement and interaction between layers and classes. One person can move up or down to class through intermarriages, opportunities, or achievement. People have equal chance to succeed. Whether people do something to improve their lives or not this greatly depends on them. Categories 1. Upper Class – The people in this class have great wealth and sources of income. They constitute the elite wealthy group in the society. They have high reputation in terms of power and prestige. They live in exclusive residential area, belong to exclusive private clubs, and may have strong political influence in the system of government. They own several cars and properties and their children may study in exclusive schools. 2. Middle Class – The people in this class may belong to the upper-middle class which is often made up of highly educated business and professional people with high incomes, such as doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, and CEOs or to the lower-middle class often made up of people with lower incomes, such as managers, small business owners, teachers, and secretaries. Aside from generally command of high income, people belonging to the upper-middle class often have college education, live in comfortable homes, own properties, have some money savings, and active in community activities. People in the lower-middle class have not achieved the same lifestyle of the upper –middle class but somehow have modest income and live in simple life. 3. Lower Class –The lower class is typified by poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. The people in this class belong to the bottom of socio-economic ladder. They may be categorized into two: upper-lower class and lower-lower class. In the upper-lower class, people are considered as the working class or laborers. They have acquired little education, little time to be involved in civic and community activities. Some of them are underemployed, have many socioeconomic problems, with lttle or no luxuries at all. The people in the lower-lower class are unemployed, or no source of income except by begging or dependent from private and government relief. Many of them live in squatter areas, under the bridge, in street corridors, or with no house at all. Many of them are liabilities of society because they may be involved in drug addiction and criminaliities. B. Closed Systems General Characteristics Closed system accommodates little change in social position. They do not allow people to shift levels and do not permit social relationships between levels. Categories 1. Caste System – It is regarded as closed stratification system in which people can do little or nothing to change their social standing. Social contact is rigid and clearly defined. People are born and die in their caste. Contact between and among the caste is minimal and governed by a set of rules – especially those who belong to the lower degree, as this will tend to bring them down. We do not practice caste sytem in the Philippines. It existed for centuries in India and this includes the Brahmans who are associated with the priesthood, the Kahatryias (the warriors), the Vaishyus (the businessmen and traders), and the Shudrus (the servants). 2. Estate System – It is somewhat a closed system in which the person’s social standing is based on ownership of land, birth, or military strength. Individuals who were born into one of the estates remained there throughout life but in extreme cases there is social mobility, that is people could change their status. In the middle ages there are three (3) major estates in Europe – nobility, clergy, and the peasants. C. Ethnic System General Characteristics This type of social stratification is based on national origin, laguage and religion. Ethinicity sets segments of society apart and each group has a sense of identity. People interact more freely with those people belonging to the same ethnic category. During the Spanish and American colonial systems in the Philippines, the colonizers perceived themselves to be occupying the upper social class than the Filipinos or the natives whom they called as Indios. Immigrants usually belong to a lower status than the inhabitants. The Gaddangs, Itawis, Ituweraw, Ilonngots, and other ethnic minority groups are considered inferior than the others. Social Stratification and Social Mobility Social mobility refers to the movement within the social structure, from one social position to another. It means a change in social status. All societies provide some opportunity for social mobility. But the societies differ from each other to extent in which individuals can move from one class or status level to another. Thus, people in society continue to move up down the status scale. This movement is called ‘social mobility’. For example, the poor people may become rich, the bank peon may become bank officers, farmers may become ministers, a petty businessman may become a big industrialist and so on. At the same time a big businessman may become a bankrupt and ruling class may be turned out of office and so on. Kinds of Social Mobility In a democratic state like the Philippines, a person can improve his social status but the degree of mobility varies. In an open system, every individual is provided equal opportunities to compete for the role and status derived regardless of gender, race, religion, family background and political inclination. There are three (3) types of social mobility: social mobility, geographical mobility, and role mobility. 1. Social Mobility refers to the movement upward or downward among the social positions in any given social stratification. It may be upward (vertival) mobility and downward (horizontal) mobility. Vertical mobility refers to the movement of people of groups from one status to another. It involves change in class, occupation or power. For example, the movement of people from the poor class to the middle class. Horizontal mobility is a change in position without the change in status. It indicates a change in position, within the rage of the status. A change in status may come about through one’s occupation, marrying into a certain family and others. For example, an engineer working in a factory may resign from his job and join another factory. 2. Geographical Mobility is otherwise known as physical mobility. It may be a vluntary movement of people from one geographical area to another due to change in residence, communiting fro home to office, making business trips, and voluntary migration from one country to another. It may be also a forced migration which include forced relocation or residence, eviction, dispossession of unwanted people, and transportation of slaves. 3. Role Mobility is the individual’s shifting from role to role. Every member of a society has roles to play. Different situations call for enactment of various roles. For example, the father is the bread earner of the family but may be a teacher in school, or the leader at home or a follower in the school or office. A daughter may be submissive at home but very active and active as a campus student leader. A teacher may have varied roles such as being a mother, a wife, a guidance counselor, a community leader and many more (Ariola, 2012). Theoritical Perspective and Analysis of Social Stratification Social stratification can be examined from different sociological perspectives—structural-functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolicinteractionism. Theoretical Perspective Structural - Functionalism Conflict Symbolic - Interactionism Major Assumptions/Analysis Stratification is necessary to induce people with special intelligence, knowledge, and skills to enter the most important occupations. For this reason, stratification is necessary and inevitable. Stratification results from lack of opportunity and from discrimination and prejudice against the poor, women, and people of color. It is neither necessary nor inevitable. Stratification affects people’s beliefs, lifestyles, daily interaction, and conceptions of themselves. In sociology, the functionalist perspective examines how society’s parts operate. It is a macroanalytical view that focuses on the way that all aspects of society are integral to the continued health and viability of the whole. StructuralFunctionalism recognizes that all societies maintain some form of social stratification, and therefore, social stratification must have important functional consequences. According to Davis & Moore (1945), different aspects of society exist because they serve a needed purpose. They argued that the greater the functional importance of a social role, the greater must be the reward. The theory posits that social stratification represents the inherently unequal value of different work. Certain tasks in society are more valuable than others. Qualified people who fill those positions must be rewarded more than others. Conflict theory focuses on the creation and reproduction of inequality. Conflict theorists are deeply critical of social stratification, asserting that it benefits only some people, not all of society. Conflict theory’s explanation of stratification draws on Karl Marx’s view of class societies and incorporates the critique of the functionalist view mentioned above. Many different explanations grounded in conflict theory exist, but they all assume that stratification stems from a fundamental conflict between the needs and interests of the powerful, or “haves,” in society and those of the weak, or “have-nots” (Kerbo, 2009). The former take advantage of their position at the top of society to stay at the top, even if it means oppressing those at the bottom. At a minimum, they can heavily influence the law, the media, and other institutions in a way that maintains society’s class structure. Symbolic-interactionism is a theory that uses everyday interactions of individuals to explain society as a whole. Symbolic interactionism examines stratification from a micro-level perspective. This analysis strives to explain how people’s social standing affects their everyday interactions. Consistent with its micro orientation, symbolic interactionism tries to understand stratification by looking at people’s interaction and understandings in their daily lives. Unlike the functionalist and conflict views, it does not try to explain why we have stratification in the first place. Rather, it examines the differences that stratification makes for people’s lifestyles and their interaction with other people. In most communities, people interact primarily with others who share the same social standing. It is precisely because of social stratification that people tend to live, work, and associate with others like themselves, people who share their same income level, educational background, or racial background, and even tastes in food, music, and clothing. The built-in system of social stratification groups people together. This is one of the reasons why it was rare for a royal prince like England’s Prince William to marry a commoner. Symbolic interactionists also note that people’s appearance reflects their perceived social standing. Housing, clothing, and transportation indicate social status, as do hairstyles, taste in accessories, and personal style. Explore Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson. Enrichment Activity 1 Directions: Complete the table by listing down the assumptions of the three theoretical perspectives (Structural – Functionalism, Conflict Theory, SymbolicInteractionism) on social stratification. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper. Theoretical Perspectives Structural Functionalism Conflict Theory Symbolic-Interactionism Assumptions Enrichment Activity 2 Directions: Differentiate the three social classes under open system by completing the graphic organizer below .Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper. Upper Class Middle Class Lower Class Great job! You have understood the lesson. Are you ready now to summarize? Deepen Activity 1 Directions: Answer the following questions briefly but substantially. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper. Your answers will be scored based on the rubrics below. Criteria Content Mechanics Neatness Score 2 2 1 1. How is social stratification differ from social differentiation? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. How is open system of social stratification differ from closed system of social stratification? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. Does inequality of prestige exist in the Philippines? Explain. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Activity 2 Directions: Look for a person (a local figure) whom you consider very successful today, that is he/she started as a poor person until he/she succeeded in life (political, education, business, religious field). Write his/her success story. Use a separate paper for your output. You will be graded based on the rubrics below. Criteria Content Mechanics Neatness Score 2 2 1 PHOTO Name of the Successful Person: Residence: Present Position: Nature of Work: Sources of Information: __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ Success Story _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Process Questions: 1. Describe the life/life situation of the person above before he becomes successful. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. Is the status of the successful person above ascribed or achieved? Why? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. Does social stratification affect life chances of an invidual? Explain. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Great job! You are almost done with this lesson. Gauge Directions: Read very carefully the questions below and choose the letter that corresponds to your answer. Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper. 1. Which of the following defines social stratification? A. Social isolation of people from each other B. System in which everyone is equal but perform very different tasks C. System by which a person's place in society is defined by birth D. None of these 2. Which of the following best describes how social class is related to social stratification? A. Each layer has many layers of social stratification B. Each layer of social stratification constitutes a social class C. The terms social stratification and social class mean the same thing D. Social stratification exists in caste systems, whereas social classes only exist in noncaste systems 3. What is the key distinction between a caste system and a class system? A. a marriage within a specific group B. occupational prestige C. educational opportunity D. social mobility 4. What is Social Stratification? A. The division of society into categories, ranks, or classes. B. The unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards C. A social structure in which classes are determined by ascribed status. D. A social structure in which classes are determined by achieved status. 5. The unequal sharing of scarce resources and social rewards is known as _____. A. Social Inequality B. Social Mobility C. Social Sharing D. Social Stratification 6. The most distinguishing characteristic of a caste system (where class is based on birth) is that _______ A. People can only move intergenerationally B. People can move vertically, but not horizontally C. Social status is inherited and cannot be changed D. Social status can be changed by education and hard work 7. A factory worker's son earns his way through college and eventually becomes a physics engineer. This is an example of _______ A. Horizontal mobility B. Intergenerational mobility C. Role mobility D. Vertical mobility 8. Isidra moves from a job as a computer programmer to a job as a Web page designer. This is an example of _________ A. Horizontal mobility B. Intergenerational mobility C. Role mobility D. Vertical mobility 9. Which of the following perspective states that "inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others"? A. Conflict perspective B. Structural-Functionalist C. Social Exchange D. Symbolic-interactionist 10. A politician describes inequality as a motivator of people to fill the different and necessary positions in society. He is using example of _________. A. Conflict theory B. Social Exchange theory C. Structural-Functionalist theory D. Symbolic-interactionist theory 11. Which of the states that stratification assures that the most qualified people fill the most important positions, that these qualified people perform their tasks competently, and that they are rewarded for the effort? A. Conflict theory B. Structural-Functionalism C. Symbolic interactionism D. None of the choices 12. Which of the following best describes the structural-functionalist theory of social stratification? A. Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others. B. Social stratification will eventually be eliminated when the workers revolt. C. Children are taught that a person's social class is the result of their talent and effort. D. The inequality of social classes helps assurre that the most qualified people fill the most important positions. 13. Which of the following best describes the symbolic-interactionist perspective of social stratification? A. Inequality exists because some people are willing to exploit others. B. Social stratification will eventually be eliminated when the workers revolt. C. Children are taught that a person's social class is the result of their talent and effort D. The inequality of social classes helps assure that the most qualified people fill the most important positions 14. Which describes a society where people frequently can, by acquiring skills and working hard, move from one level of social stratification to a higher level of social stratification. A. closed system B. open system C. ethnic system D. estate system 15. The child of an office clerk becomes a physician. This is an example of _______. A. Geographical mobility B. Intergenerational mobility C. Social mobility D. Role mobility Answer Key Gauge Assessment 1 1. D 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. A 6. C 7. D 8. A 9. A 10. A Jumpstart Activity 1 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. B D C B C 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. True False True False True False True False True False