Social Stratification

Social stratification
• ‘Social stratification is a horizontal division of
society into higher and lower social units.’
• ‘It is a division of society into permanent and
temporary groups or categories. The groups
are interlinked with each other by the
relationship of superiority and subordination.’
 Factors of Social Stratification

• Difference in Human Being: Individuals will

differ with each other based on biological
factors and socio-cultural factors. Hence the
individual is placed into various groups to
discharge their obligations towards their
society in a proper manner.
 Biological group
1. Sex: In matriarchal society, the women are
considered superior and have control over the
political and social institutions. She will be the
decision maker in the family. Where as in
patriarchal society, men hold domination
superiority and power.
2. Age: The Society is divided into children,
adolescents, youth, middle age, and old age. In
these societies others respect old aged people.
 Birth:
• In a particular person is from a particular
caste, he is considered as superior or inferior.
Eg: Indian caste system – Brahmins are
considered as superior, sudra is considered as
inferior group.
Socio-Cultural Basis: Based on factors such as:

• Economy: Higher class, Middle class, and

Lower class
• Religion: Hindu, Muslim, Christian.
• Caste: Forward, Backward.
• Occupation: Professional, Administrator, and
Class IV group
• Need for different functions: Teachers,
Doctors, engineers and Cook
 Caste System:

• Three basic pillars of Indian social system are

joint family, caste and village system. As a
form of social stratification and inseparable
aspect is peculiar to Indian society where
unity among, diversity is found. Caste word is
derived from Spanish word, ‘Casta’ means
‘lineage’ or ‘race’ complex and strain and Latin
word ‘castus’ means ‘pure. The Portuguese
used caste word to denote the Indian
institution
 The factors influencing caste system in India are:

• The geographic isolation of the Indian peninsula for a long

time;
• influence of Hindu religion, they believe caste system is
looked up on as a divinely ordained institution, karma
siddhantha, fatalism, beliefs in reincarnation;
• existence of many races in the country; rural social
structure, no uniform laws and standards existing in the
systems, illiteracy or lack of education, hereditary
occupations, ideas of exclusive family, ancestor worship,
beliefs related to sacrament, clash of races, prejudice,
conquest, etc. contributed to the growth of caste system in
India society has castes such as forward caste. Eg: Brahmin,
vysya, backward caste like scheduled caste and scheduled
tribes (dalits).
 Definition

• ‘A Caste is an aggregation of persons, whose

obligation and privileges is fixed by birth,
sanctioned and supported by religion.’
 Characteristics:

• Determination of membership is by birth

• Each caste should possess certain rules and
regulations
• Definite occupation
• Endogamous group
• Rules concerning status should posses the
superiority and inferiority status.
• Caste is a segmental division of society: Castes
are groups with a well defined boundary of their
own
 Characteristics:

• The membership and status is determined by ‘Birth’ hence it is

unchangeable, unacquirable, Unattainable, and non transferable.
• Each cast will have certain customs, traditions, practices and rituals
• Cast panchayat in certain areas regulate the conduct of members.
• It is a hierarchal division of society: A Sense of ‘Superiority/ higher
or lowness or inferiority’ is associated with gradation or ranking. Eg:
Brahmins are treated as superior and scheduled casts are treated
inferiorly.
• Restrictions on food habits. Eg: Brahmins and Vysyas are
vegetarians in nature; and will not consume garlic, onions
• Restrictions on social relations and marriages Eg: Higher caste
people should not interact low caste people in early days.
• Certain low caste people are still suffering with social and other
religious disabilities.
 Merits of caste system ( Conditions
favouring caste systems)
• Geographical,
• Static Society,
• Rural societal structure,
• Aggregation of people,
• Influence of religion,
• Difference of races,
• Lack of education,
• Formation of trade unions,
• Spirit of cooperation,
• Economic pursuits,
• Racial purity,
• Intellectual make-up,
• Integration of the country,
• Cultural diffusion,
• Separation of social life from political life
 Demerits (Unfavorable factors)
• Modern education,
• Urbanization,
• Modernization,
• Industrialization,
• Wealth consciousness,
• Movements of social emancipation (Mixing),
• Means of communication,
• Political agitation,
• Appearance of new social classes,
• Denies mobility,
• Retarded solidarity,
• Wrong men in occupation,
• Obstacle to national unity and social progress,
• Undemocratic.
Features of modern caste system and its trends

• Caste is recognized by social and secular meaning

than a religious interpretation
• Restriction on food habits and occupation choice
was relaxed
• Inter-caste marriage are legally permitted
• Constitutional provision were revised to
overcome the handicappedness of low caste
people Eg: Reservation facility in education,
employment etc.
• Caste continuous to ascribe social status
Features of modern caste system and its trends

• Caste panchayat become disappeared or weakened

• Social interaction and social relationships has been
establishing in the society without seeking the caste
background.
• Ritual status on caste system was changed
• Caste has lost its hold over social usages and customs
practiced by its members
• It is not dictating individual’s progress
• Industrialization, urbanization, westernization
education, etc. changed the role of caste systems.
 Causes for the changes in caste system:
• Uniform legal system: for Removing untouchability, Indian law
made provision in articles 15,16,164,225,330,332,334,335,338 to
enable them to come up to the level of upper caste.
• Impact of modern education: Educational facilities has extended to
all castes, relaxation in admission rules made for the provision of
more education facilities for lower Social groups.
• Industrialisation, urbanisation, westernization technological
advancement, improved transport and communication system, etc.
made weakened the caste system, different categories of people
have started to work together, stay together in all areas like
factories, offices, workshops, etc. migration transport system.
• Democracy and social legislations, reforms movements uniformity
among the individual
• Threat of conversion to other religions made relax in caste rigidities.

Improvement in the status of women, evolution of new social

classes, division of labour relaxed the rules of caste system.
 Difference between Class & Caste
Class Caste
1. Membership is based upon objective facts. Eg: 1. Membership is based upon birth
Status, standard of life (subjective phenomenon)
2. Open stratification a person can change his 2. Closed stratification, stable,
class, unchangeable
3. dynamic class consciousness 3. Subjective consciousness
4. Does not hinder democracy 4. Hinders democracy
5. Individual will have greater freedom less social 5. Rigid with more restriction
distance Greater social distance
6. Endogamous group 6. Endogamous group
7. Flexible restriction 7. Rigid restriction
8. No ethnocentric feeling 8. Ethnocentric feeling
9. External similarity is maintained Eg: Dress, 9. No external similarities
language, customs
10. Internal similarity is maintained Eg: Thinking, 10 No internal similarities
ideas
11. Elastic nature, Easy social prestige Stratification 11. Close, rigid stability Divine origin
is not so strict ( Flexible social phenomenon is Fixed order of social prestige Clear, definite
observed) stratification

12. No restriction on food, drinking, interaction 12. Restrictions on eating, drinking and
mixing with others
13. Achieved status 13. Ascribed status
14. Temporary associations are flexible, based on 14. Duration relationships.
need, membership is attained