Describe one example of social stratification.
AQA
GCSE
2022
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Social Stratification: Socio-Economic Class
Introduction: * Define social stratification - a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. * Briefly introduce different types of stratification (class, ethnicity, gender) and state your chosen focus: socio-economic class.
Understanding Socio-Economic Class
Defining Class: * Explain the concept of class as a form of social stratification. * Discuss key characteristics: * Based on economic factors: wealth, income, occupation. * Hierarchical: Upper, middle, and lower classes. * Fluid: Potential for social mobility. * Differentiate between ascribed and achieved status within a class system.
Class in Urban Industrial Societies: * Explain the historical emergence of class systems alongside industrialization and urbanization. * Analyze the role of factors like: * Industrial capitalism: Ownership of production vs. labor. * Division of labor: Specialization and income disparities. * Urbanization: Concentration of wealth and poverty in cities.
Consequences of Class Stratification
Life Chances and Inequality: * Explain how class impacts life chances (access to opportunities and resources). * Discuss examples of class-based inequalities: * Education: Quality and access. * Healthcare: Affordability and quality of care. * Housing: Type, location, and affordability. * Justice System: Differential treatment and access to legal representation. * Provide relevant statistics or data to support your claims.
Social Mobility and its Limits: * Define social mobility - the movement of individuals or groups between classes. * Discuss different types: intergenerational and intragenerational. * Analyze factors influencing social mobility: * Education and skills. * Inheritance and wealth accumulation. * Social networks and capital. * Evaluate the extent to which social mobility is possible within class systems. * Discuss the concept of “sticky floors” and “glass ceilings.”
Theoretical Perspectives on Class
Functionalism: * Briefly outline the functionalist view of stratification: necessary for societal stability. * Explain how functionalists justify class inequality: * Motivation for individuals to work hard and fill important roles. * Reward system based on skills and qualifications. * Critique the functionalist perspective: Ignores systemic barriers and inequalities of opportunity.
Conflict Theory (Marxism): * Outline Marx's theory of class conflict: bourgeoisie (owners) vs. proletariat (workers). * Explain how capitalism perpetuates class inequality: exploitation and alienation. * Discuss the role of ideology in maintaining class structures. * Critique the Marxist perspective: Overemphasis on economic factors, overlooks other forms of stratification.
Weberian Theory: * Introduce Weber's multidimensional approach to stratification: class, status, and party. * Explain how status and party (political power) influence life chances independent of economic class. * Discuss the concept of social closure: groups maintaining their advantage by restricting access to resources and opportunities.
Conclusion
Summary: * Recap the key features of class as a form of social stratification. * Restate the significant impact of class on life chances and social mobility.
Evaluation: * Briefly discuss the ongoing debates surrounding class inequality and its consequences. * Consider the potential for social change and efforts to reduce class disparities (e.g., social policies, wealth redistribution).
Social Stratification: Socio-Economic Class
Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals within a society based on factors like wealth, power, and prestige. One prominent example is socio-economic class, a system rooted in economic inequality and prevalent in urban, industrial societies. This essay will delve into the characteristics, causes, and consequences of class stratification.
Characteristics of Socio-Economic Class
Socio-economic class divides society into distinct strata based on factors such as:
- Wealth and Income: This encompasses an individual's assets, investments, and earnings, shaping their economic power and opportunities.
- Occupation: Jobs carry varying levels of prestige, power, and income, influencing an individual's social standing. For example, doctors and lawyers are typically afforded higher status than factory workers.
- Education: Access to and quality of education significantly impact earning potential, occupational choices, and social mobility.
These factors often intertwine; individuals born into wealthy families often receive better education and job opportunities, perpetuating their class position. Conversely, those from disadvantaged backgrounds may face limited access to quality education and employment, hindering their upward mobility.
Causes of Class Stratification
Various factors contribute to the existence and perpetuation of class stratification:
- Capitalism and Private Property: Capitalist systems, based on private ownership and the pursuit of profit, inherently generate economic inequality. The accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few can lead to disparities in power and opportunity.
- Globalization: Increased interconnectedness has led to the outsourcing of jobs and exploitation of labor in developing countries, exacerbating global inequalities.
- Government Policies: Taxation systems, welfare programs, and investment in public services can either mitigate or exacerbate class inequalities.
- Social Closure: Certain groups may maintain their privileged positions by restricting access to resources and opportunities for others, perpetuating existing class structures.
Consequences of Class Stratification
Class stratification has far-reaching consequences for individuals and societies:
- Life Chances: Individuals in lower classes often face limited access to healthcare, quality education, and safe housing, impacting their overall well-being and opportunities.
- Social Mobility: Class systems can hinder social mobility, making it challenging for individuals to move up or down the social ladder. This can lead to social immobility and reinforce existing inequalities.
- Social Cohesion: Extreme class disparities can breed resentment and conflict, undermining social cohesion and stability.
Conclusion
Socio-economic class remains a significant form of social stratification in contemporary society. Rooted in economic inequality, it shapes life chances, limits social mobility, and impacts social cohesion. While the factors contributing to class stratification are complex and intertwined, addressing them is crucial for fostering a more just and equitable society.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Class
eg socio-economic class, based on economic inequality and commonly found in urban, industrial societies.
Ethnicity
eg based on cultural differences between different ethnic groups.
Gender
eg based on sex and the associated life chances of men and women.