IGNOU BOOK | Social Startification[English medium] BSOE-148

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Social Stratification – BSOE-148

Meaning of Social Stratification

Social stratification refers to the structured and hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups in society into different layers or strata based on factors such as class, caste, gender, occupation, income, power, status and prestige.

In simple words, social stratification means that society is divided into groups that have unequal access to resources, opportunities, power and social privileges.

Main Characteristics

1. Social inequality – Stratification involves unequal distribution of wealth, power, status and opportunities.
2. Hierarchy – Social groups are placed in a higher or lower position relative to others.
3. Socially created – Stratification is shaped by social institutions, norms and historical processes.
4. Persistence over time – Inequalities often continue from one generation to another.
5. Universal but variable – Some form of stratification exists in most societies, but its form differs across societies.
6. Linked with power and privilege – Higher social positions generally provide greater access to resources and decision-making.

Major Forms of Social Stratification

1. Caste

The caste system is a traditional form of stratification, particularly associated with Indian society. Caste membership is generally ascribed by birth. Traditionally, caste has been associated with occupation, social status, marriage rules and restrictions on social interaction.

2. Class

Social class is primarily associated with economic position, occupation, income and ownership of resources. Unlike caste, class systems generally allow greater mobility between social positions.

3. Gender

Gender stratification refers to inequalities between men, women and other gender groups in areas such as education, employment, income, political participation and access to resources.

4. Estate

In feudal societies, people were divided into legally and socially distinct estates, such as the nobility, clergy and commoners. Rights and privileges were distributed unequally among these groups.

Social Mobility

An important feature of some stratification systems is social mobility, which refers to movement from one social position to another.

• Upward mobility: Movement to a higher social position.
• Downward mobility: Movement to a lower position.
• Horizontal mobility: Movement between positions of roughly similar status.
• Intergenerational mobility: Change in social position between parents and children.
• Intragenerational mobility: Change in an individual's social position during their own lifetime.