Social Stratification & Mobility

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Social Stratification & Mobility Individuals in today’s society are separated by many different factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and economic status. Another form of separation is that of stratification. There are four major systems of stratification slavery, caste, estate, and class. “Social stratification means the differentiation of a given population into hierarchically superposed classes.”(Sorokin, 1964, p. 11) Stratification can either be in the form of an open or closed system. The closed system is one that allows minimal to no movement within the system. The open system is just the opposite it allows for varying degrees of movement throughout the system. There are many ways to break down the social stratification of society, but they are can be traced back to three fundamental classes: the economic, political, and occupational stratifications. In any organized social group there is a hierarchy that is followed. This hierarchy is unavoidable and is observed at all levels including that insects and wild animals. “Any organized social group is always a stratified social body. There has not been and does not exist any permanent social group which is “flat” and in which all members are equal.”(Sorokin, p. 12) Although social mobility and economic mobility imply different types of mobility they often go side by side in the western cultures. The ability to improve your social status and be elevated to another class is one of the driving forces behind many economies. The United States follows an open class stratification system. This class system is outlined in a five-class model. Starting with the upper class and descending down to the upper middle class, lower middle class, working class, and edging with the lower clas... ... middle of paper ... ...ict the education provided will not be as diverse as that of an affluent school district. The probability of advanced education will be limited due to the financial burden placed on the family and child. If the individual does advance to college they will not have the luxury of having parents to provide money for food supplies clothing, etc. The Person will then have to work detracting from their studies. Once graduation is achieved the individual may now lack the social connection and contact to higher levels of society thus limiting his job interviews. While yes everyone has the ability to advance socially there are many limitations and obstacles to overcome. I truly believe that through hard work determination anyone can advance in class distinction regardless of the obstacles. The greater the obstacles the better prepared you will be for your new social status.

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