Introduction
Social stratification (SS) is among society’s greatest issues resulting in a monopoly of power and diverse socioeconomic groups’ unequal access to wealth and the attributes of well-being. The phenomenon’s detrimental consequences cannot be overstated and range from differences in the quality of life to mental health challenges, including depression and enormous stress. This essay addresses key questions regarding SS, its burden in the U.S., and global influences.
Social Stratification: Definition and Major Theories
As an unjust system of social standing, SS is explored by means of three theoretical perspectives, including economic determinism, functionalism, and a multidimensional approach. Regarding the definitions, SS refers to the division of society into various strata, with individuals’ social status influencing their access to wealth, blessings of society, and opportunities in life. Systems affected by SS can be open or closed based on whether positions are subject to change or ascribed, such as in the caste system. Based on Marx’s economic perspective, SS results from unequal access to the means of production and could be resolved by enabling the working majority to control them, thus eliminating the cause of the bourgeoisie’s existence.
In Weber’s multidimensional theory, SS stands on three pillars, including economics, power, and prestige, but not all three must be present to give rise to division. Next, according to functionalist theories, SS is an essential consequence of situations in which society encourages extensive work and professional development to make sure there are individuals capable of fulfilling responsible roles requiring specific preparation. Thus, diverse theories aim to explain the phenomenon of SS to comprehend its root causes.
The Extent of Poverty and Those Getting Ahead/Falling Behind in the U.S.
In the U.S., poverty is extremely widespread and defines the current patterns of SS and opportunities for improving one’s position on the social ladder. The number of U.S. citizens living below the federal poverty threshold is about 37 million people, which is more than 10% of the country’s total population. Poverty’s effects are all-encompassing and include limited access to housing, healthcare services, post-school education, highly skilled and well-paid jobs, and an increased vulnerability to swings in economic growth. Peculiar social mobility patterns, including the prevalence of structural change over the stories of individuals achieving a higher social status, are widespread in the U.S.
Those falling behind are typically women, the representatives of diverse minority groups, and low-income children. At the same time, U.S. citizens getting ahead are the wealthiest 20% of the population having substantial assets, including real estate and business property. Representing around 20% of Americans, this wealthy category owns more than 75% of the nation’s assets, which is an astounding example of inequality. With that in mind, given the current situation with poverty, the proclaimed status of the U.S. as the land of opportunity is problematic.
Global Stratification: Causes and Consequences
On a global scale, stratification creates differences between entire nations rather than individuals or specific parts of one territory’s population. Global stratification’s root causes are the patterns of unequal economic and scientific development, enabling richer nations to control technology and diversify economically and placing them in an advantageous position in the global market. In contrast, poorer nations with fewer physical assets or limited access to knowledge are urged to pursue the path of specialization or dedicate most of their resources to producing a comparatively narrow selection of goods or services. In this context, stratification is associated with various consequences for poor nations, including unsafe and unsanitary housing, starvation, limited access to medical services, illiteracy, child mortality, low life expectancy, and other barriers to well-being.
Conclusion
To sum up, SS still presents one of humanity’s unresolved challenges. The heterogeneity of theories regarding the key sources of SS also creates a conflict regarding its inevitability and the potential of revolutions in addressing inequality. In the U.S., with its six social classes and the absence of ascribed unchangeable social positions, SS is widespread, resulting in the presence of poverty and extreme income inequality.