I.

MEANING, NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF STRATIFICATION

Stratification is an institutionalizes pattern of

Inequality in which social categories are ranked
on the basis of their access to scarce resources
Social Stratification is the hierarchical
arrangement and establishment of social
categories that evolve into social group together
with status and their corresponding roles.

Social Stratification is a system whereby people

rank and evaluate each other as superior and, on
the basis of such evaluations, inequality
rewarded one another with wealth authority,
power and prestige. One result of each
differentiation is the creation of a number of
levels within society.

Different Views for Social Stratification:

◦Social Structure – status, social roles into ranked

orders
◦Social Problem – discontentment and social justice
Basic Principles of Social Stratification
◦It is universal in nature
◦The existence of a S.S. system has many
consequences for individuals and groups.
◦S.S. is a characteristic of society.
◦S.S. persists over generation.
◦S.S. is supported by patters of belief.

Importance of Stratification:
-Through S.S., men all over, dispels discrimination,
stereotyping and prejudice.
-Man will exert great effort in competing with others.
=-Knowledge of S.S. may enable man to adapt to the
social environment
-Improvement of man’s standard of living
-Effect economic development in a society.
-Attainment of a harmonious and stable society.

Types of Stratification System

◦Caste System
-Brahmins – private and scholars
-Kastriya – warriors
-Vaisya – merchants and farmers
-Sudra – labourers and peasants

Estate System
-Nobility
-Clergy
-Peasantry

◦Open Class System

II. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE OF STRATIFICATION

Theoretical Analysis Stratification

◦Structural- Functional Analysis

-Recognizes that all societies maintain some form of social

stratification, and therefore, social stratification must have
important functional consequences.
-In 1945 Kingsley Davis and Wilbert proposed a theory of
S.S. That remains influential and controversial up to this
day, known as Davis – Moore Thesis.
-David – Moore Thesis asserts that some degree of social
stratification actually serves society. Inequality of members
in a society based on their social classes is functional,
necessary and constructive.

o Meritocracy

Conflict Perspective View

-Views inequality as neither important nor disadvantageous to the welfare of most

members of society. There is a sharp division between classes, which are in constant
struggleand opposition.

-Stratification is an unjust system afflicted on society by people with a monopoly of

power and wealth to safeguard their own interests, advantages and power.
-Karl Marx claimed that the two major social classes arise from two basic relationships
to the means of production:
-Owning productive property
-Laboring for others.
The Difference between the Structural –Functional and Conflict Theory

◦A. Structural – Functional Paradigm

-S.S. Keeps society operating.
-S.S. Encourages a matching talents and abilities to appropriate positions.
-S.S. Is both useful and inevitable.
-They are usually stable over time

B. Social Conflict Paradigm

-S.S. is the result of social conflict.
-S.S. ensures that such talent and ability within the society will not be utilized at all.
-S.S. is useful to only some people; it is not inevitable
-Not stable over time.

Consequences of Social Stratification

◦Stratification affects life chances
◦Stratification affects life styles.
◦Stratification affects prestige.

III. THE SOCIAL CLASS

Social class is a group of people who share asimilar position or status.

-Social class is a category of people who share roughly the same class, status and
power and who have sense of identification with one another.
-Social class or status refers to a set of familiesthat share equal or nearly prestige
according to the criteria of evaluation in the system of stratification.

Determinants of Social Class

◦Education
◦Income
◦Intelligence

-Social Class as viewed by Karl Marx

◦Bourgeoisie (Capitalist)

◦Proletariat (Worker)
-Max Weber’s Analysis of Social Class

◦ Dimensions on how people ranked:

-Class
-Status
-Power

Social Classes in the Philippines

◦Upper Class- with high personal income, inherited wealth and economic power
◦Middle Class – small businessmen, teachers, merchants, traders with modest income.
◦Lower Class – earning low incomes with a little or nosavings; some are unemployed.

IV. SOCIAL MOBILITY

Social Mobility is the movement of an individual or group from one social class
to another.
-Process of changing one’s social class or status.
Types of Mobility
◦Vertical Mobility
-The upward or downward movement from a class level toanother.
◦Horizontal Mobility
-Change of a position that does not involve any real changes of class rank.

Factors Affecting Social Mobility

◦Level of economic development of one’s count

◦Level of industrialization and urbanization.
◦Rapid expansion of the service sector.
◦Availability of opportunities.
◦ Competition
◦ Education

Indicators of Social MobilitY

◦Power
◦Prestige
◦Wealth

Consequence of Upward Mobility

◦Pressure

◦Involves loosening of family ties and old friendship

◦Adaptations to new lifestyles.

◦Making new but casual friends

◦Departing from former places of residence.

-Consequence of Downward Mobility

◦ Loss of self-confidence
◦Social isolation
◦Desperation
◦Diverse emotional changes
◦Social and cultural maladjustment