Chapter 13

SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION AND
SOCIAL MOBILITY
MEANING AND NATURE OF
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Meaning and nature of social
stratification
Human differences exist among
members of the society on the basis
of age, sex, or gender; intelligence
and physical characteristics, such
as body build and appearance, race
or ethnic group, birth or family
name, education, and power and
prestige.

These differences have resulted in

social inequalities and opportunities
in the acquisition and allocation of
material and abstract rewards in the
societies
Meaning and Nature of Social
Stratification

All known societies evolve varied systems of

classifying categorizing or ranking people into
different social classes or strata reflecting
dimensions of abundance or deprivation,
possession of power or powerlessness,
prestige or lack of it, dominance or inferiority,
the haves and the have nots of society
Meaning and Nature of Stratification

The ranking of
people is the
essence of
stratification: The
division of society
into larger
categories or strata
of people who have
unequal amount of
scarce but
desirable resources
or rewards
Social Stratification
defined
Panopio (1989) defines
social stratification as
the hierarchical
arrangement and
establishment of social
categories that may
evolve into social groups
together with statuses
and their corresponding
roles. The elements
have varying ranks of
superiority and
inferiority
 Social Stratification
Defined
Social stratification is a sociological
term for the hierarchical
arrangement of social classes,
castes, and strata within a society.
(Psychology Wikipedia)
 Components of Social
Stratification
1.Social classes
. Upper class
. Middle class
. Lower class
In the United States of America, people ore
classified in roughly 6 social classes
. Upper class
. New money
. Middle class
. Working class
. Working poor and Poverty level
2. Social status
Ascribed
statuses
Achieved status
3. Social Role
Theory of Social
Stratification
 Conflict Theory
The result of the struggle among
people for scarce resources and
rewards

It persists in society because the

haves are determined and
equipped to preserve their
advantage by dominating and
exploiting the have-nots
 Conflict Theory
The dominant class gains a
disproportionate share of wealth,
power, and prestige.

Conflict theories of Karl Marx and

Melvin Tumin, consider
stratification unjust and unnecessary.
 Functional theory

Argues that stratification is a

necessary and inevitable social
phenomenon in order to channel
suitable individuals into various
occupation and hence to insure that
the essential tasks of group life are
performed.
 Functional Theory
Functional theory

Kingsley Davis agrees that some

tasks are clearly more necessary
than others, and some require a
great deal more talent and training.
Types of Social
Stratification
 Open class system
This system has few impediments on
social mobility
Social positions are awarded on the
basis of merit and qualifications, and
rank is tied to achievement and
performance.
This system is better known as class
system
 Open class
Open classsystem
system
The open class system provides for all
forms of social mobility.
A person may go up or down the social
ladder, or may move horizontally, within
his or her social strata based on his
motivation, intelligence, effort, industry,
freewill or sheer luck
Equality in this system is interpreted as
equality in opportunity, equality before
the law, and equality among equals
 Closed or Caste system
The stratification is based on ascribed
status that is, determined at birth, family,
origin, race, creed, color, sex, and other
ascribed characteristics.
Members in the close societies are locked
in their parents social position and
individual opportunities are limited
accordingly
Legal and religious sanctions are applied to
those who attempt to cross them
MEANING AND NATURE OF
SOCIAL MOBILITY
SOCIAL MOBILITY
DEFINITION: Social
mobility refers to the
movement of a person
or persons from one
social status to
another.
- refers to the
movement of an
individual or group
from one social
position, class or social
stratum to another.
 Types Of Social Mobility
1. Vertical Social
Mobility refers to
upward and downward
social mobility. It
involves change in
class, occupation or
power positions.

E.g movement from

poor class to mid class.
From occupation
laborer to the bank
clerk.
 Types Of
Types Of Social
SocialMobility
Mobility

UPWARD SOCIAL MOBILITY-

refers to the movement by
individuals or group into higher
stratum.
 Types Of
Types Of Social
SocialMobility
Mobility

DOWNWARD SOCIAL MOBILITY-

refers to the movement of the
people into a lower stratum.
 Types Of
Types Of Social
SocialMobility
Mobility
2. HORIZONTAL SOCIAL MOBILITY
does not involve a shift into a
higher or lower stratum. E.g.
position of the person changes,
but its salary, prestige, grade
and other previleges remain the
same.
Factors Affecting Social
Mobility
Biological, factors affecting social
mobility includes:environmental, and
cultural Status of Parents
Sex and Gender Types of Social
Intellectual factors Stratification
or mental ability System
and creativity Changing Labor
No-intellectual markets
factors Geographical
Fortune and Sheer Mobility
Physical High or Low
Appearance Fertility
Education and Governmental
Specialized skills. interventions.
Measures or Programs to
Reduce Inequality
THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE FORTHRIGHTLY
DECLARES AS A SELF-EVIDENT
TRUTH THAT ALL MEN ARE
CREATED EQUAL.
IF Elite and
Upper Class

Middle Class
and
Marginalize
Populati d Economic
on and
Political
Pie

HOW THEN CAN WE RECONCILE

THE DREAM OF SOCIAL EQUALITY
DESPITE THE REALITY OF SOCIAL
IN THIS UNJUST AND EXPLOITATIVE
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ORDER, IS
IT UNFATHOMABLE TO EXPECT THAT
THE CARING, ECONOMIC,
PRODUCTIVE TOOL IN THE HANDS OF
THE EXPLOITED WORKERS BE
TURNED INTO TOOLS OF
DESTRUCTION IN ORDER TO BRING
ABOUT A MORE HUMANE AND JUST
SOCIETY?
SUCH DANGER LURKS IN A
SYSTEM WHERE THERE IS MANS
EXPLOITATION OF MAN AND
MANS INHUMANITY TO MAN.
 Elite and Upper
Class

Middle Class and

Marginalized

WHY DONT THE MANY WHO

ARE AFFLICTED RISE UP
AGAINST THE FEW WHO ARE
PRIVILEGED, AND SMITE THEM?

- IMMANUEL WALLERSTEIN
TO REDUCE SUCH DISPARITY AND
SOCIAL INEQUALITY, THE
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTED THE
FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:
CREATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL
SYSTEM AND ENACTMENT OF
COMPULSORY SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE IN THE PRIMARY
SCHOOL LEVEL
ESTABLISHMENT OF GOS AND
NGOS TO WORK FOR THE
PROMOTION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS, GENDER
SENSITIVITY, AND PUBLIC
WELFARE.
PROVISIONS FOR SOCIAL
SERVICES
HEALTH SERVICES
HOSPITALIZATION AND MEDICAL
SERVICES
PUBLIC WORKS AND
COMMUNICATION
FIRE PROTECTION
POLICE PROTECTION
INCOME REDISTRIBUTION
PROGRAM

1. PROGRESSIVE TAX SCHEME

THE MORE EARNINGS, THE HIGHER THE
TAXATION

2. TRANSFER PAYMENTS
CASH WELFARE BENEFITS FOR THE POOR,
UNEMPLOYED, AGED, AND HANDICAPPED

3. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES OF GOODS

AND SERVICES
PROVIDING LAND FOR THE
LANDLESS,
HOME FOR THE HOMELESS,
RELOCATION FOR THE
SQUATTERS.
CONSTITUTIONAL
PROVISIONS ON
PROTECTION OF LABOR,
WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND
THE AGED.
GREATER AUTONOMY GIVEN
TOLOCAL
GOVERNMENTS.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AS WELL AS MANPOWER
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS OF EXPORT OF
LOCAL
MANPOWER,
PROFESSIONAL, AND SKILLED
AND SEMI-SKILLED WORKERS.
Nationalist and Progressive
Alternatives to Reduce
Inequality and Poverty
GENUINE WAR ON
POVERTY
NOT JUST LIP
SERVICE BY THE
LEADERS
POLITICAL ON THE PART OF THE
GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE A
GENUINE LAND REFORM; A
NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR
INDUSTRIALIZATION; VIS--VIS
GOVERNMENTAL EFFORT TO
DEVELOP COUNTRYS STEEL
INDUSTRY; AND A PRO PEOPLE
SAY NO TO
ORIENTATION TO
THE DICTATES OF OTHER
POLITICAL WILL ON THE PART
OF THE GOVERNED TO
UNITE AND FORM A
NATIONAL
IDEOLOGY BASED ON
FILIPINO IDEALS, NEEDS, AND
ASPIRATIONS.
GENUINE SUPPORT TO LOCAL
PRODUCERS AND
BUSINESS
INTREPRENEURS, AND A
PROTECTION POLICY TO OUR
LOCAL PRODUCTS,
GOODS, AND SERVICES.
GENUINE
COUNTRYSIDE
DEVELOPMENT.
A STRONG POLITICAL WILL ON
THE PART OF THE

CURB
GOVERNMENT TO

GRAFT AND
CORRUPTION
IN ALL LEVELS OF THE
GOVERNMENT.
BETTER SOCIAL
SERVICES AND MORE
LEGISLATIVE
ENACTMENTS FOR THE
WELFARE OF THOSE WHO
HAVE LESS IN LIFE.
MORE JOB
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR THE PEOPLE TO
BECOME ECONOMICALLY
SELF-SUFFICIENT.
 PAYMENTS OF
MORATORIUM ON THE
THE COUNTRYS FOREIGN DEBT
OR SELECTIVE REPUDIATION OF
THOSE DEBTS WHICH DID NOT GO TO
USE
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
THESE DEBT PAYMENTS
FOR NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT.
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION WHICH
STATE-FUNDED
IS
EDUCATION FOR ALL
LEVELS OF SOCIETY.

TIE UP BETWEEN HIGHER

EDUCATION AND
BUSINESS AND
INDUSTRIES TO ENSURE
INCREASED
GOVERNMENTAL
BUDGET TO
EDUCATION AND
SOCIAL SERVICES
IN PURSUANCE OF THE
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.
EDUCATION WHICH IS TRULY
DEMOCRATIC,
NATIONALIST,
HUMANIST,
SCIENTIFIC, MASS
ORIENTED, AND PRO-
PEOPLE.
A NATIONAL PROGRAM ON
PROFIT SHARING
BETWEEN LABORERS
AND CAPITALISTS,
BETWEEN WORKERS AND
EMPLOYERS.
GENUINE APPLICATION OF

Filipino First Policy,

GARCIAS

ESTRADAS Erap Para Sa

Mahirap,
MAGSAYSAYS Those Who Have
Less In Life Should Have
More In Laws, AND NOYNOYS
Kayo Ang Boss Ko
A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE
UNJUST SOCIAL STRUCTURE,
A RADICAL TRANSFORMATION
OF THE EXISTING
EXPLOITATIVE SYSTEM A
REVOLUTIONARY PROCESS WHICH
COULD BRING ABOUT A NEW SOCIAL
ORDER WHERE THERE WOULD BE A
MORE OR LESS EQUAL
DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH,
BOTH GOVERNMENT AND NON-
GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS
MERELY PROVIDED LIP
SERVICE AND
PATCHWORK
APPROACH TOWARDS
REDUCTION OF INEQUALITY AND
FREEDOM OF THE PEOPLE FROM
ABJECT POVERTY AND DEPRIVATION.