SOCIAL

STRATIFICATION
BY: S A M A N T H A K E Y S E R

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

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SOCIAL STRATIFICATION: CORE

CONCEPTS
In all societies people receive different shares of what is valued and scarce,
that is, what is desirable and what members of the society strive for. (pg.14)
An unequal distribution of the societys resources creates a system of
stratification.
Three dimensions of social stratification: Wealth, Prestige and Power
Today, social status is mainly associated with a persons occupation, and the
pursuit of power underlies all forms of inequality.
Marger, Martin (2013-01-01). Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes, 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher
Education -A. Kindle Edition .

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION FORMS

Class
A group of people that share similar
incomes, occupations, and lifestyles.

Race
Race and ethnicity are the basis for
categorization and racial/ethnic
hierarchies.

Gender
No modern society is without gender
inequality. Men and women perform
different tasks; thus, value and
importance is applied to those tasks
based on who performs them.

Age
People of different ages do different
tasks, so each age group has differing
access to valuable resources.
Marger, Martin (2013-01-01). Social Inequality: Patterns and
Processes, 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle
Edition.

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STRUCTURED INEQUALITY AND LIFE

CHANCES
The government, economy, and education dictate which groups will be placed in the
most advantageous positions.
Inequality is legitimized through the social stratification ideologies that justify it.
Weber referred to the possibility of individuals accessing social resources as life chances.
The chances of achieving the things that all in society strive for is called their life
chances.
Uneven distribution of social resources results in:
Inequality of condition = differences in standards of living and living conditions
Inequality of opportunity = peoples ability to access valuable resources
Marger, Martin (2013-01-01). Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes, 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle Edition.

LIFE CHANCES
Access to educational and residential
resources as well as equal legal
protection and comprehensive healthcare
are basic life chances.
Life chances are based on position within
the social stratification.
Lower classes have worse health and a
lower life expectancy than the upper
classes.
Living conditions tend to be harsher and
incompatible with educational and
occupational success.
Lower class individuals are more likely to
get arrested and jailed.
Marger, Martin (2013-01-01). Social Inequality: Patterns and
Processes, 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle
Edition.

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STABILITY IN SYSTEMS OF
STRATIFICATION
The Societys Culture: A societys cultural norms and
values support inequality.
Capitalistic society: Acquire as much as possible at the
expense or cost of others.

Individual and Organizational Power: Inequality is

perpetuated through powerful individuals and
organizations.
Ideology and Legitimization: People view differences in
power and wealth as natural, inevitable, and for the
betterment of society.
Legitimization: the development of effective ideology and
the dissemination of these beliefs through society.
Ideology: beliefs or values that justify the distribution of
power and privilege.
Marger, Martin (2013-01-01). Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes, 6th edition.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle Edition.

Obtained from Yahoo

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Government and corporate powers

 Hunting-gathering societies: men were hunters and women were forgers

Reasons for specification
Pregnant
Caring for small children
Women could not participate in hunting because of the physical impediments of carrying a child.

Modern societies: women still continue to the gendered tasks of caring for the house
and children.
Men take on more of a market presence which resorts in more economic and social power.
As long as women fail to assert economic power, they will receive little power and social
benefits.
Marger, Martin (2013-01-01). Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes, 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle Edition.

Obtained from Yahoo

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GENDER STRATIFICATION

 Social, cultural, and psychological difference attributed to men and women constitutes gender.
Women are more emotional than men.
Men are better at fixing and building things.

Gender is a result of socialization and the cultural and behavioral expectations of the sexes.
Girls play with dolls and wear dresses.
Boys play with trucks and like sports.

Gender roles and behaviors are not equally valued or rewarded.

Women are almost universally viewed as subordinate to men.
Women overall have less power, prestige, and wealth than men.
Marger, Martin (2013-01-01). Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes, 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle Edition.

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GENDER INEQUALITY

 Saudi Arabia is Middle-Eastern country

Founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud

Wahhabi Islamic Interpretation

Literal enforcement of Quranic verses
Sharia law

Patriarchal and male dominant culture

Ruled by the Al Saud monarchy
Current Ruler: Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (2015-present)
Previous Ruler: Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (2005-2015)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIAN GENDER INEQUALITY

Fundamentalist Islamic beliefs limit womens
social and public participation.
Saudi women are under the guardianship of male
family members.
Need male permission to travel, work, or go to
school.
Cant be admitted to hospital or consent to
medical procedures.

Women cant drive cars.

Women are expected to wear a hijab and abaya
in public areas.
Forbidden to interact with men who are not
related.

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Must use segregated sections on buses and trains.

SAUDI ARABIAN GENDER INEQUALITY

Most marriages are arranged.
Approximately have of marriages are
consanguineous.
Preferred pairing is the offspring of two
brothers.

Married at young ages.

Little to no say in family planning.

Men decide the number and spacing of
children.
Women generally have children less than
two years apart.
High maternal mortality rate
High rates of fertility = less education,
more dependency, and worse health.

One mans testimony is worth that of two

women.
Men automatically receive custody of
children in the case of divorce.

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SAUDI ARABIAN GENDER INEQUALITY

Schools and workplaces are sexsegregated.
Women not allowed to pursue careers in
law, journalism, or engineering.
Healthcare and education are the most
suitable career options.
Nursing is not seen as a suitable career for
women.
Jobs in the teaching, banking and service
industries.

Women arent allowed to pursue highlevel administrative positions.

Women can only achieve so much in their
professional life.
Work cannot interfere with family and
spousal responsibilities

Despite women being the majority of

college graduates, they make up less than
30% of the labor force.

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