Social Stratification
She's from the wrong side of the tracks. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. This degree is my ticket to the world!
What do these phrases mean? They are referencing social standing or social stratification. Social stratification is a method by which societies categorize and rank members in a hierarchy.
Stratification is a key concept in sociology. Early societies didn't rank members. As societies evolved, they began to classify their members. Some categories, like landowners, received promotions. Others, like wage earners, seemed to be demoted.
Today, all societies use social stratification, though some countries are more stratified than others. The systems and the beliefs behind those systems are deep-rooted. Stratification systems impose inequalities that persist for generations.
Social Stratification in the U.S.
For example, in the United States, it's fairly easy to detect the 'haves' from the 'have-nots.' Today's Rockefellers still enjoy the wealth and status gained by family members in the late 19th century. On the other hand, some families of former slaves still struggle.
The U.S. stratification system is based on socioeconomic status or SES. SES is a categorization formula that considers a person's income, education, and occupation. Our society places a higher value on:
Wealth
Longer periods of education
Occupations that require advanced degrees
The sum of these factors is used to determine a person's general social class. Social class is important because the U.S. uses a class system of stratification. A class system is a stratification system in which a person's social status is based on achievement. For the most part, that means Americans can choose or earn social status. They are not locked into a particular status from birth. Class systems allow social mobility, which is movement up or down the social hierarchy. This is a unique characteristic of the class system. This equality of opportunity is often referred to as the 'American Dream.'
For example, the Rockefeller family owes their fortune to John D. Rockefeller. John was the son of a traveling peddler who'd been run out of town and accused of crimes. He was forced to drop out of high school. He set his mind to business and executed a series of timely oil deals. By age 38, his company controlled 90% of the oil refined in the U.S.
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