Social stratification and its effects on labor mobility in the United States

Social Stratification and Social Mobility

Systems of social stratification

The systems refer to the manner that the society utilizes in ranking individuals in a hierarchy. Undeniably, the classifications suffice the reality that some groups of individuals possess greater wealth, power, and status compared to others. Differences in the groups of individuals describe the nature of social stratification. Social inequality occurs as a significant aspect of the society as it facilitates the smooth operation of the society. For example, high rewards lure and motivate highly talented individuals to perform involving tasks such as brain surgery. On the other, most individuals can perform blue-collar jobs such as cleaning toilets and mowing grass thereby limiting its level of returns.

The open class system allows social interactions between classes that rely on achievements, prevalent in industrialized nations. On the other hand, the closed class system confirms on the social status of individuals and ancestral occupations prescribed by birth, prevalent in less industrialized nations (Gane, 2005).

The social class in the United States

Upper Class

Individuals in this category constitute of close to one percent of the U.S. population. Most of the members in this category have inherited wealth from previous family generations (Gane, 2005). Recognizable families such as Kennedy, DuPont, and Rockefeller occur as examples in this class.

New money

The category makes close to fifteen percent of the U.S. population. Most of the members in this category have earned their money rather than through inheritance. Celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and other athletes lie in this category.

Middle class

Members in this category, close to thirty-four percent of the U.S. population, earn money through professional jobs such as doctors, teachers, managers, and lawyers. They are considered as the primary drivers of a developing economy.

Working class

Individuals in this category carry out blue-collar jobs that include jobs such as carpenter, police officer, and truck driver.

Working poor

Members in this class work at minimum-wage jobs, have low educational levels, and work part-time in most jobs.

Global Inequality

A major global concern has revolved around income inequality. Based on World Economic Forum (WEF) statistics, the escalating margins in global inequality have resulted in significant impacts on the society (Resnikoff, 2014). Experts warn of the pervasive social and political consequences emanating from this element. The aspects of income and wealth disparity occur as significant elements in this subject. Raging gaps between the rich and the poor result in adverse effects on the society. It contributes to the weakening of security, social cohesion, economic growth, and sustainability. Income inequality poses serious challenges that impacts economic progress with the change in attitudes amongst individuals (Resnikoff, 2014).

Structural-Functional and Conflict Perspectives in Social Stratification

The structural-functional perspective explains of the inevitability of the existence of inequality and stratification and accompanied benefits to the society. It supports the arguments of the benefits emanating from the unequal distribution of rewards. The conflict perspective depicts social stratification as a harmful and dysfunctional societal element. It argues that stratification perpetuate social inequality as the rich and powerful benefit at the expense of the poor. The approach creates a system of winners and losers at the top of the social ladder. It denies the lowly and poor in society a fair chance to compete thus creating and maintaining wealth prospects for those at the top.