Social stratification is a direction of sociology in which society is viewed as a complex of interrelated layers. In modern social stratification, multidimensional models of the class hierarchy are used.
Social stratification is a concept in sociology that considers society as a stratified structure.
Dividing society into layers
Originally, the term "stratification" was used in geology to refer to different layers of the earth. In cross-section, the earth's strata looks like a set of layers of sedimentary rocks layered on top of each other. This is how society in sociology is represented by several social strata, differing from each other in position and prosperity.
In social stratification, it is customary to divide society into strata depending on indicators of consumption, leisure, power, education and welfare. Such strata are arranged in a strict hierarchical order.
The simplest example of social stratification is the division of society into masses and elites, between which there is inequality. At the top of the hierarchy are the "initiates" and the nobles, below are the rest.
Contemporary sociology uses multi-layered and multidimensional stratification models. It allows the possibility of a person's transition from one stratum to another (the so-called "social mobility").
W. L. Warner was one of the founders of social stratification. He was interested in the opinions of people from different social classes about each other and built a model according to which modern society is divided into several layers, ranging from wealthy aristocrats to the unemployed and vagrants.
Stratification and social filters
Historically, stratification refers to the severity of the “filters” that were used to limit social mobility. During the heyday of slavery, people from one stratum simply physically could not break through higher in the hierarchy. Even now, there are castes in India whose representatives will never become managers or employees of banks - all they can be content with is collecting dead animals and processing skins.
Professional stratification
Social stratification also considers professional relationships. Professional stratification divides society into layers, based on the availability of knowledge, the level of intelligence, the prestige of a particular profession, etc. At the top of the hierarchy, built on the principle of professional stratification, are the professions associated with the management and control of the professional group itself - entrepreneurs, owners. Downstairs there are "workhorses" - hired workers who sell their labor cheaply. The managers are located between the top and bottom layers.
