University Sociology Assignment: Social Class and Life Chances

This report delves into the concept of social stratification, focusing on the definition and impact of social class. It explores how different social classes are defined, considering both subjective and objective perspectives, including Marxist and Weberian viewpoints. The report examines the influence of social class on various aspects of an individual's life, such as education, health, and political behavior, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages associated with different social strata. It further analyzes the concept of 'life chances' as defined by Weber, emphasizing how these opportunities are not equally distributed among social classes and are often influenced by factors like education and economic status. The report concludes by discussing the disadvantages encountered in the context of handling crimes and reinforces the idea that individuals from lower social classes often experience fewer life chances, underscoring the significant impact of social class on individual outcomes.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Social stratification: Class
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SOCIOLOGY
In Sociology class is a kind of social stratification that is consisted of group of people
with similar status who are sharing certain level of wealth and power. There are various
discussions over the definition of “Class” creates confusion and terminological problem.
However through some established concepts we can try to define the social stratification “Class”.
In the subjective location Classes are defined as the social categories that are ranked within the
economic stratification by sharing people’s subjectively salient qualities (Landry 2016). As an
objective position class is defined as a gradational concept based on the living standard.
Therefore beyond the subjective attributes the relationship among income resources can form the
class as well. Following Marxist tradition if the social system of inequality is considered then the
class can be defined as a macro level concept that appropriate and produce the economic surplus
(Wright 2015). Weber has described status and class are two different forms and through the
shapes the individual life chances (Scott 2014). The definition of class can be placed within the
political trajectory as well where social change is at the center in connection with economic
resources and social relationships.
We all are born in certain social classes and the class has great influence in our individual
lives. This social stratification makes us experience various advantages and disadvantages and
life chances. My individual social class has been greatly affecting my education, health, religious
association, political behavior, health, social involvement and attitudes. It is generally considered
that if my social status is higher than my life expectancy is longer, as we experience that lacks
related to basic needs like food and shelter result in high mortality. Sociologist Weber has
developed the concept of life chances as the opportunities that we can apply to improve our
quality of life (Weber 2015). The life chances ensure better goals that we can achieve like
standard college education, living a healthy life, successful career. However we can observe that

SOCIOLOGY
the life chances are not equally distributed among the members of a social class. Our skill and
qualification becomes the most significant driver for acquiring those life chances. If I get better
education I will have the access to a better life style but getting quality higher education is
related to my economic status rather my parents’ financial status. If I am having better economic
status I am more likely get admitted in a private schools but someone from the outskirts with
limited financial opportunities might not afford to get admission in the private school. In the
world of today the life chances significantly depend on the differences among various groups
based on their earning, materialistic wealth and position in the society’s hierarchy. Therefore the
advantages and disadvantages are both being created simultaneously through our lives. Another
disadvantage can be encountered in the context of handling crimes. We have experienced
generally different people from different social classes get different treatment even if both are
going through similar investigation. My realization is that the people belong to the lower stratum
of the society are more likely to receive fewer life chances as social classes define and determine
them.

SOCIOLOGY
Reference
Landry, B. ed., 2016. Race, gender and class: Theory and methods of analysis. Routledge.
Scott, J., 2014. Stratification and power: Structures of class, status and command. John Wiley &
Sons.
Weber, M., 2015. On the methodology of the social sciences. Lulu Press, Inc.
Wright, E.O., 2015. Understanding class. Verso Books.