SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
DEFINITION SOCIAL INEQUALITY
It refers to the unequal distribution of scarce resources such as wealth, power and prestige in the society.
DEFINITION OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
It is the hierarchical arrangement and establishment of social categories into a social group with statuses
and their corresponding roles (Panopio et. al., 1994).
DEFINITION OF SOCIAL MOBILITY
It is the movement of an individual or a group from one social class to another. (Theodorson, 1969).
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Social stratification…
1. is universal in nature.
2. has many consequences for individuals and groups.
3. is a characteristic of society.
4. persists through generations.
5. is supported by patterns of belief.
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES OF STRATIFICATION
1. Structural-Functional Perspective
- Inequality of members in a society based on their social class is functional, necessary and
constructive (Davis and Moore, 1945).
- Davis and Moore maintain that societies become more productive as they approach "meritocracy," a
system linking rewards to personal merit.
2. Conflict Perspective
- Conflict theorists view stratification as an unjust system inflicted on society by people with a
monopoly of power and wealth to safeguard their own interests, advantages, and power.
- Stratification compartmentalizes society and strongly promotes antagonism among the competing social
classes.
IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
1. Motivation to have a reputable status
2. Adaptation to the social environment
3. Improvement of the standard of living
4. Economic development is affected.
5. Attainment of a harmonious and stable society.
TYPES OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION SYSTEM
1. Closed Social Stratification System - In this stratification system, the individual's social position is fixed
for life on the basis of acquired or inherited characteristics.
2. Open Social Stratification System - In this stratification system, there is great opportunity for social
mobility, with people moving up and down the social ladder.
TYPES OF CLOSED SOCIAL STRATIFICATION SYSTEM
1. Caste System - It is a system of social stratification based on ascription. Within this system, the individual
is simply born into a particular level called a caste and remains in that caste for life. Thus, social mobility
from one caste to another is impossible.
- The four major castes in the Indian caste system:
A. Brahmins – priests and scholars
B. Kshatrya – class of nobles and warriors
C. Vaishya – merchants and farmers
D. Sudra – unskilled laborers
2. Estate System - The system was characteristic of Europe during the medieval times.
Like the caste system, it was relatively closed and rigid. Nevertheless, mobility was possible through
marriage and the enactment of law.
- The three major feudal/estate groupings were:
A. Nobility - the sovereign (king or queen), nobles, the military aristocracy
B. Clergy - high-ranking religious leaders as well as low ranking officials of the church
C. Peasantry - farmers, laborers and serfs
THE OPEN SOCIAL STRATIFICATION SYSTEM
Open-Class System - In this system, the individual's class position within the society is determined by
his/her personal effort and ability. Unlike the closed stratification systems, the open-class system provides
everyone a great opportunity for social mobility.
INDICATORS OF SOCIAL MOBILITY
The most common indicators of social mobility are:
A. Power - According to Karl Marx, power is the ability to influence other people, even in the face of
opposition.
B. Prestige - It consists of approval and respect an individual or a group receives from other members of
society.
C. Wealth - It is the total economic assets of an individual or family.
TYPES OF SOCIAL MOBILITY
1. Vertical - It is the upward or downward movement from one class level to another.
2. Horizontal – It refers to a chage in position that does not involve any real change in class rank.
3. Intragenerational – It refers to a change in social position occuring during a person's lifetime.
4. Intergenerational – This is the upward or downward social mobility of children in relation to their parents.
5. Structural - This occurs when the individuals' social ranks change because of societal structures.
FACTORS AFFECTING SOCIAL MOBILITY
1. Level of economic development in a society
2. Level of industrialization and urbanization
3. Rapid expansion of the service sector
4. Availability of opportunities
5. Competition
6. Education
CONSEQUENCES OF UPWARD SOCIAL MOBILITY
1. People tend to break under pressure of striving for success.
2. Loosening of family ties and detachment from old friends
3. Adaptation of new lifestyles
4. Making new but casual friends
5. Relocating or transferring to a new place of residence
CONSEQUENCES OF DOWNWARD SOCIAL MOBILITY
1. Loss of self-confidence
2. Social isolation
3. Desperation
4. Diverse emotional changes
5. Social and cultural maladjustment
DEFINITION OF SOCIAL CLASS
The term social class refers to a group of people having a similar social rank (Garcia, 1992).
DETERMINANTS OF SOCIAL CLASS
1. Education
2. Income
3. Intelligence
4. Occupation
THE SOCIAL CLASSES IN THE PHILIPPINES
According to average monthly income (based on a NSO survey):
1. High-income families – P200,000
2. Middle-income families – P36,431
3. Low-income families – P9,061
Breakdown of socio-economic class composition in the Philippines:
1. Class A and B: 1%
2. Class C: 9%
3. Class D: 60%
4. Class E: 30%
Reference:
Society and Culture with Family Planning (A Modular Approach) by Roman D. Leano, Jr. and Ronald M. Corpuz
