Social Stratification: Social Classes and Mobility Analysis

This report delves into the concept of social stratification, which is defined as the hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups based on socioeconomic factors like income, wealth, and social status. It examines the different social classes, including upper, middle, and lower strata, and how they are formed within various societal contexts, from tribal to modern western societies. The report discusses social mobility, explaining how individuals and groups move between these strata and the impact of open social stratification systems. It also explores the conflict theory perspective, highlighting how social mobility can generate conflicts within society. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the role of culture in influencing social mobility, particularly the challenges faced by individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, such as limited access to quality education. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive overview of social stratification, social classes, social mobility, and the factors that shape it.

Running head: SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
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Author Note

1SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Social Stratification can be defined as a type of social differentiation where the
various members of the society can be grouped together into different socio economic strata
which is based upon the occupation, the income, the wealth, and the social economic power
that comes from the acquirement of such social status. Such social stratifications are based
upon the “relative social position of the persons within a social group, category, geographic
region, or social unit”. In recent times, in the modern western societies, the social
stratification can typically be defined or categorized into three social classes. Those three
classes are the upper middle classes, the middle classes and the lower middle classes. Each of
these three classes in turn can be subdivided into various strata. Those strata can be stated as
the upper-stratum, the middle-stratum, and the lower stratum. As per the rules these thee
social stratum- Upper-stratum, the middle-stratum, and the lower stratum can be formulated
on the basis of the Kingship, the clan , the tribe or based on the caste. Social Stratum can also
be formed based on all four categories. This kind of social stratification or categorization,
which is based on the “socio economic strata”, happens in all kind of society. The various
kind of society can range from “complex, state-based or polycentric societies to tribal and
feudal societies, which are based upon socio-economic relations among classes of nobility
and classes of peasants”.
Social Mobility can be defined as the movement of an individual, the families, various
households or other type of people among or in between the layers or tires in an open
system of open social stratification. Open social stratification system can be defined as “those
system in which at least some value is given to achieve status characteristics in a society. The
movement can be in a downward or upward direction”. Social mobility can be defined as the
change that can be brought around in social position or any individual or group or
organizations. Say for example, when person who is at the position of “General Manager” at
a reputed organization is promoted to the position of “Manager” in the same organization, it

2SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
is known as “Vertical social mobility”. According to the social theory of social conflict
theory, society is viewed as the system of groups or individual those are not equal. Because
of this conflict are generated. Many a times, Social mobility can give rise to social conflicts.
Say for example, when a general manager is promoted to the position of manager, he or she
might have a conflict with his or her colleague who might fell that they are more deserving
than him or her for the position of the manager. This may give rise to conflict or difference in
viewpoint within the colleague.
According to latest research, culture plays an important role in social mobility.
“Culture can reinforce or weaken the key building blocks for economic mobility, including
education, health, and the propensity to save. It really does take a village to be successful in
life”. A person belonging from lower strata of society finds it more difficult to move up in the
social ladder. For example, children belonging from the low-income group find it more
difficult to get admission in a reputed school. The various cultural norms and notion that are
associated with one`s social status plays a vital role in social mobility.