Sociology

Social Stratification

Table of content

Social StratificationSocial Class Caste System

Social stratificationR.W Murraysocial stratification is the horizontal division of society into higher and lower social units David Popenoe A pattern based on ranking of people according to wealth, prestige, power, privilege.

Basic Principles Trait of societyPersist over generationsUniversalInvolves believes

1.Trait of societyIt is a trait of society.Children born into wealthy families are more likely to enjoy good health, get a college degree, find a good job as compared to those who born in low class. Neither the rich nor the poor are responsible for this stratification, yet this system shapes the lives of all of us.

2.Persist over generationsInequality among societies persist over generations. Parents pass their social standing on their children. Social standing remains the same over a life time.

3.Universal

It is present in every society. In some societies it is a matter of prestige, in others it is matter of power. Some societies shoe more inequality than others.

4.Involves believes

It is based on the beliefs of the people.

Division of society by Renowned Sociologists Plato AristotleKarl MarxAdam SmithThorstein Veblen

Division Plato Workers SoldiersPhilosophersAristotle Very richVery poorIn between

Karl maxCapitalistWorker Adam SmithOn the rent of landOn the wages of laborOn the profit of landThorstein veblenWorkersLeisure class

Determinants of stratificationEconomic resourcesPrestigePolitical powerCasteEducation

Social Class

Social ClassAccording to Prof. Brown A social class is that group of people who have similar income, wealth, power, and influence

Social classHorton and Hunt A social class is stratum of people of similar position in the social system

Classification

Upper classUpper- upper classLower upper classEnjoying highest socio-economical and socio-political status.Style of life is distinguishable.Having superiority complex.Having low percentage in society.Similar types of occupation, income, social participation.Recently acquired wealth and prestige.Lack of traditional family prestigeLow percentage in society.

Middle classUpper- middle classLower middle classThese are successful professionals.Most of them are intellectuals.back bone of society.They are large in number.Small business. Small landowners, worker.These are also the back bone.Country progress depends on them.

Lower classUpper lower classLower lower classSemi-skilled workers, small business man.They are often poor.Most hard working people.Hard and frustrating life.Own culture and behavior.UnskilledPoorHealth not up to the mark.Neglected class.

Pakistan Social class system

Tribes These are based on class and kinship. There members mostly live in common areas and speak common language. They belong to similar religion and race.

It is found in Northern Areas of Pakistan, KPK, Baluchistan.

Feudal class These are mostly property owners. Dominate on economy and politics.It is found inSindh -------WederasPunjab------ChaudhriesKPK-----Nawabs, sardar, RaisBaluchistan------Legharis

Clan- Biradris

This class membership is based on birth. Mostly live in colonies. They have their own leaders.

Khwajas and Memons etc.

Caste

Its origin is from Hindu civilization.

Characteristics of social classDetermining the life chancesIt determine the life chances. In poor society children has bad health. On the other hand rich children are healthy.

2. Source of HappinessFor upper class there is more money and power. So they can enjoy better facilities.

3. Encouraging competitionLower class wants to improve their status. They make struggle for it. On the other hand upper class wants to dominate on lower classes. So it encourages the competition in society.

4. Source of power and dignity Economic status in society is the source of power. An industrialist or feudal enjoys more social power as compared to the worker.

5. Getting the dirty work doneA lot of unpleasant work must be done in any society and someone must be persuaded to do it. The lower is function as a storehouse for unskilled labor.

6. Fitting into better spotFrom all the social classes, the middle class is the most noted strenuous efforts to get a head. The reason is that middle class parents seek to impress the children with both the hope of advancement and fear of dropping.

7. Sub cultureEach class act as a sub culture. The high, middle, lower classes are different in subculture with ambition, education, working.

8.Status Symbols Status symbols are present in society. The high class live in Gulberg, Defence, Model town etc. Expensive mobiles, new model cars, imported dress are some status symbols in our society.

Caste System

Caste systemHorton and HuntA stratified social system in which social position is entirely determined by percentage, no provision for change of position.Macionis Social stratification based on birth is called caste

Meaning of caste It is believed that the origin of word caste is Portuguese word Casta which means linage and Hindi word Varna means color and caste.

It is fact that the Indian caste system is the typical and classical all over the world.

Manus Classification of Caste in India

BrahmanKhashtaryVashShodar

BrahmanBrahman and priest were the top social leader in Hindu society. The job of the Brahman were to administer the religious ceremonies and practices. The teaching of the holy books were restricted to Brahmana alone.

Khashtary

Khashtary were the military man, who were responsible to protect the country from outside aggression and to establish peace and order in the country.

Vash

Vash were the teachers, businessmen, agriculturist, and industrial worker.

Shodar

Shodar was supposed to serve all the castes. They were regarded as inferior class. These are regarded as untouchable and lowest in this stratification.

Caste System in Pakistan

Ashraaf

Ajlaf

Arzaal

Ashraaf

Ashraaf means superior. In Pakistan, Syeds are considered superior

Ajlaf

Rajput's, Gujjars and Jats are considered.

Arzaal

Mussalis, Mirasis, Moeens, Muhajirs, and all others castes are considered to be lowest.

Law; in 1959, a law a was passed, which permitted even inter-marriages among

Disadvantages Denies mobility of laborUntouchability Obstacle to national unityObstacle to national progressLack of competitionSocial disabilitiesUn-democraticSegmental divisionGroup hierarchyRestrictions on mixingCivil and religious disabilitiesLimited choice of occupationRestriction on marriage.