Define social stratification and give two examples

Individual Assignment

nName

nInstitution

nCourse

nDate

n

nDefine social stratification and give two examples

nSocial stratification refers to a process by which a community establishes social statuses or categorizes individuals in a hierarchy. In most societies, particular groups have greater wealth, power, and greater status than others do. Such differences in the community lead to social stratification (Ballantine, 2015). For instance, the social status or categories of individuals are the social stratification. Additionally, in caste structure, all factors of social status endorsed especially the social position of an individual at birth is the status he/she holds for a lifespan (Birkelund, (Ed.) 2013).

nCompare and contrast colonialism and world systems theories. Who were some of the key figures?

nImmanuel Wallerstein discusses the theories of world systems and colonialism. Both theories are similar in that they contribute to economic inequalities in different countries. Additionally, they also lead to exploitation of natural resources such as minerals, and land (Ballantine, 2015). Furthermore, both facilitate the loss of political control. However, they differ because colonialism involves occupation of the country by settlers while world systems encompass economic domination of the overseas country without occupation. Similarly, in the world system theory, poorer countries are less likely to rebel the actions of the affluent nations to dominate them economically as opposed to colonialism theory where nations are against exploitation for the advantage of other economies (Birkelund, (Ed.) 2013).

nWhich theorists’ (Davis and Moore, Tumin, Mosca, Marx, Lensi, Weber) contributions to social stratification theory resonate most with you and why.

nMax Weber suggested that the best chance a person has of becoming wealthy is by being born into riches. Therefore, persons from poorer backgrounds have little chances of attaining a wealthy status. His arguments resonate most with me because he also explains the chances a person has of accomplishing economic prosperity (Ballantine, 2015). According to Weber, social stratification takes place not only from the absence of control or existence of control of the process of production but due to economic disparities that are not related to property (Birkelund, (Ed.) 2013).

nDiscuss the consequences of social class on physical and mental health, family, education, and politics.

nSocial class has an effect on physical and mental health, family, education, and politics. Precisely, the physical health improves as the social class rises and vice versa. Therefore, children born in poor families are less likely to receive appropriate healthcare hence they are more likely to die prior to their fifth birthday as compared to those from richer families (Birkelund, (Ed.) 2013). The Lower social class has a negative effect on lifestyle. In terms of mental health, lower social classes are more likely to suffer from stress and depression than those in the upper class. Mental disorders are associated with poverty, lower salaries, and less employment security (Ballantine, 2015).

nSocial class also influence the family life such as divorce, selection of spouses and childcare (Birkelund, (Ed.) 2013). The poor families have more cases of marital conflicts leading to divorce. In addition, higher social class pay more attention to family tradition such as familys history while selecting their spouses relative to poor families (Ballantine, 2015). Upper-class families promote leadership and creative skills during child rearing as opposed to lower-class families that encourage their kids to adhere to regulations and authority.

nDistinguish between sex and gender and define gender stratification

nSex explains biological variations, external and internal sex organs, hormonal profiles, and chromosomes. Gender refers to the features or responsibilities the culture or society defines as feminine or masculine (Birkelund, (Ed.) 2013). Gender stratification describes the gender inequality or ranking where men occupy higher social ranking as compared to women. Therefore, it causes unequal perceptions or treatment of people partly or wholly because of their gender (Ballantine, 2015).

nDescribe gender inequality in everyday life, health care, education and workplace

nGender inequality is a major challenge in the society. In everyday life, women suffer from political, economic, education and health inequalities (Birkelund, (Ed.) 2013). At the workplaces, women are disadvantaged because are discriminated against occupying positions perceived to belong to men such as the managerial roles. Moreover, they experience challenges related to education since womens academics are affected by early pregnancy and marriages (Ballantine, 2015). Due to lack of economic independence, women are unable to access crucial healthcare services.

n

nReferences

nBallantine, J. H. (2015). Our social world: Condensed version. Pine Forge Press.

nBirkelund, G. E. (Ed.). (2013). Class and Stratification Analysis(Vol. 30). Emerald Group Publishing.