Question

Topic 1:

What is the difference between social and economic stratification? Give examples.

OR

Topic 2

How would you explain the causes social or economic stratification? Give examples you have experienced personally of social or economic stratification.

Answer 1

• Social stratification refers to a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. In the United States, it is perfectly clear that some groups have greater status, power, and wealth than other groups. These differences are what led to social stratification.
• Social stratification is based on four major principles:
• Social stratification is a trait of society, not simply a reflection of individual differences.
• Social stratification persists over generations.
• Social stratification is universal (it happens everywhere) but variable (it takes different forms across different societies).
• Social stratification involves not just inequality but beliefs as well (inequality is rooted in a society's philosophy).
• Social stratification refers to relational processes in society that have the effect of limiting or harming a group's social status, social class, and social circle.Areas of social inequality include access to voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, the extent of property rights and access to education, health care, quality housing, traveling, transportation, vacationing and other social goods and services.
• Social inequality can emerge through a society's understanding of appropriate gender roles, or through the prevalence of social stereotyping.Social inequality can also be established through discriminatory legislation.Social inequalities exist between ethnic or religious groups, classes and countries making the concept of social inequality a global phenomenon.
• Economic stratification refers to the condition within a society where social classes are separated, or stratified, along economic lines. Various economic strata or levels are clearly manifest. While in any system individual members will have varying degrees of wealth, economic stratification typically refers to the condition where there are meaningful gaps between the wealth controlled by various groups, and few instances in the transitional regions.
• Social stratification is different from economic stratification, though the two are linked.Social stratification refers to disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income as well as between the overall quality and luxury of each person's existence within a society, while economic stratification is caused by the unequal accumulation of wealth; social inequality exists because the lack of wealth in certain areas prohibits these people from obtaining the same housing, health care, etc. as the wealthy, in societies where access to these social goods depends on wealth.
• Social inequality is linked to racial inequality, gender inequality, and wealth inequality.The way people behave socially, through racist or sexist practices and other forms of discrimination, tends to trickle down and affect the opportunities and wealth individuals can generate for themselves.