SOCIAL
STRATIFICATION
SYSTEM
GROUP 3 - UCSP
OBJECTIVES
1 2
understand the analyze the different
different social social classifications
and how one moves
desirables as from one class to
explained by Karl
Marx and Max another;
Weber;
Social
Stratification
Social Stratification
The classification of people into socioeconomic
class, based upon their occupation and income,
wealth and social status.
The relative social position of people within a
social group, category, geographic region, or social
unit.
Types of Social Classes
1. Upper class - Billionaires like
business tycoons, royalty, and top
executives ofmultinational
Types of Social Classes
2. Middle class - small business
owners, office workers, police
officers, government employees
Types of Social Classes
3. Lower class - Factory workers,
street vendors, and minimum-wage
earners
Each class can be
subdivided into strata:
• Upper-stratum - The highest segment of
a class, typically consisting of
individuals or groups with significant
wealth, influence, and access to
resources. They often hold leadership
positions in society.
Each class can be
subdivided into strata:
• Middle-stratum - The intermediate segment,
usually composed of individuals with stable
incomes, moderate social influence, and
access to education and opportunities. They
often bridge the gap between the upper and
lower strata.
Each class can be
subdivided into strata:
• Lower stratum - The lowest segment,
generally including individuals with limited
financial resources, lower social status, and
fewer opportunities for advancement. They
may face economic hardships and struggle
with basic needs.
Social stratum is formed upon:
Kinship-based stratification: Caste-based stratification: A
Social hierarchy is rigid social system where
determined by family ties, people are born into specific
lineage, or inherited status. social groups with limited
Wealth, influence, and social mobility. Traditional caste
standing are often passed systems dictate occupation,
down through generations. marriage, and social
interactions.
Social stratum is formed upon:
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
While the Philippines does not
In the Philippines, political
have a formal caste system,
dynasties like the Marcos,
historical divisions like the
Aquino, or Duterte families
principalia (elite ruling class) and
maintain influence due to
the timawa (freemen) during the
their family’s established
Spanish era reflected caste-like
status.
structures.
Forms of Stratification Systems
Caste System: A rigid social hierarchy where
status is determined by birth and remains
unchanged. Found in traditional societies such
as India.
Class System: A more flexible system where
social mobility is possible through education,
career advancement, or economic success.
Forms of Stratification Systems
Estate System: A historical form of stratification
seen in medieval Europe, where society was
divided into the nobility, clergy, and
commoners.
Slavery: An extreme form of stratification where
one group owns another, historically practiced
in various societies.
Issues in Social Stratification
Wealth and Income Inequality
- A significant gap between the rich
and poor, affecting access to
education, healthcare, and
opportunities.
Issues in Social Stratification
Ethnic and Racial Discrimination
- Systemic barriers faced by
minority groups, leading to limited
social and economic mobility.
Issues in Social Stratification
Gender and Sexual Orientation
Inequality
- Women and LGBTQ+ individuals often
experience discrimination in the
workplace and society, limiting their
opportunities
Issues in Social Stratification
Discrimination Against People with
Disabilities
- Unequal access to employment,
education, and social services due
to societal biases and lack of
inclusivity.
Key Concepts of Stratification
Social Class Wealth
Division of people Accumulated
based on income, material assets such
occupation, and as money and
status.
property.
Key Concepts of Stratification
Power Prestige
The ability to Social recognition
influence or control and respect derived
others in political, from one's
economic, or social achievements or
contexts. status.
Social
Desirables
Social Desirables
are resources considered valuable by societies. These
resources may be tangible or intangible.
Sociologists may focus on any of these resources as
the basis of their theoretical perspective on social
inequality. In short, the recognition of the existence of
these social desirables is what brings together the
sociological camps.
3 Important Social
Desirables
1. Prestige
2. Power
3. Wealth
3 Important Social
Desirables
It describes the social standing of individuals
relative to others. Social standing reflects
persons’ worth and access to social, political,
and symbolic capital.
Karl Marx
Karl Marx looked at
social standing in
terms of wealth
produced in relation to
the ownership of the
means of production.
Max Weber
Max Weber, on the other hand,
differentiates them into three:
wealth, power, and prestige.
Individual’s social standing can
be measured, all at once, based
on their relative access to these
three.
Social Mobility
Social Mobility
refers to changes of individuals, families,
households, or other categories of people
within or between social class in a society.
It is a change in social status relative to one's
current social location within a given society.
Types of Social Mobility
1. Horizontal mobility - This happens when
a person changes their occupation but
their overall social standing remains
unchanged.
Types of Social Mobility
2. Vertical mobility - It is a change in the
occupational, political, or religious status of a
person that causes a change in their societal
position. A person or social object moves from
one social class to another.
Vertical Mobility
Upward mobility - It is when a person moves from
a lower position in society to a higher one. It can
also include people occupying higher positions in
the same societal group. However, upward
mobility, while seen as a good thing, can also
come at a cost for individuals.
Vertical Mobility
Downward mobility - It takes place when a
person moves from a higher position in
society to a lower one. It happens when
someone is caught performing a wrongful
act that can result in the loss of the position
they currently hold.
Types of Social Mobility
3. Inter-generational mobility - This happens
when the social position changes from one
generation to another. The change can be
upward or downward.
Types of Social Mobility
4. Intra-generational mobility - Change in societal
position occurs during the lifespan of a single
generation. It can also refer to a change in
position between siblings. One way is when a
person climbs up the corporate ladder in their
career.
THANK
YOU
