Stratification and Methods of Stratification

Stratification and Methods of Stratification Read below Stratification Given the differences present in a population, it is imperative to categorize the various subsets of a population to be able to study and understand the existent characteristics. The categorization of inequalities within a population is what stratification entails. According to (Henslin, 2014), stratification refers to a hierarchy of relativity guided by property ownership, power and prestige. In every form of society, there lie different strata that each member of the society is classified.

Stratification comes from a complex interaction with the social and institutional systems that give rise to the observable difference among members of a society. The institutional systems facilitate value creation and desirability of the resources within a society. Social systems define the rules for allocating the resources, as well as linking individuals through mobility to positions and possession of these resources (Henslin, 2014). The degree of stratification in each society is different and yields inequality within the very society.

The prevailing inequalities bring out social stratification and, the different measures of stratification between societies caution the need to apply relativity in making comparisons between societies. Methods of Stratification There are different methods of stratification in a society that occur naturally and through the forces of mankind. The different methods of stratification are guided by the composition of the society, resource possession and allocation within the society, the social institutions present and the people's socialization.

Some of the major forms of social stratification are caste, class and slavery -- claiming ownership of people. The universal cross-cutting measure of stratification within a society is gender. Caste stratification classifies members of the society according to their birth lineage. Caste stratification stands as the oldest form of society stratification, and it draws a line in the society by groping individuals according to their family tree and the influential position they hold in the society.

The caste stratification tends to place certain members of a society at a higher hierarchy and others at the bottom. Class stratification is primarily based on wealth possession and entitlements of the members of the society. Material possessions and entitlements present an opportunity for members of a society to move up or down depending on the wealth held. Slavery stratification defines stratification where higher caste individual owns the lowest caste individuals in the society. This form of stratification has however been abolished although still exists in other forms.

Gender stratification is a universal cross-cutting method of stratification where members of a society are classified according to their biological makeup. Until recently resource allocation and hierarchical placement in most society has been biased favoring the male gender. Stratified American Society and Comparisons In the 2013 census report for American household incomes, it is evident that the median income for Hispanic households, households maintained by persons aged 15-24 or those older than 65 and noncitizen households increased.

The American Society stratification according to the family income incorporates the individual's origin (nativity) and citizenship status in the country, the size of the household and region. The stratification also groups the American population according to age and the size of the household whether individual or comprised of other family members. According to the 2013 census report, 48,810,868 persons live below the poverty in America.

Out of the total America's population, 89,190,000 men and women comprise the working class and those in the middle-class combine to make a total of 122,952,000 individuals (DeNavas-Walt & Proctor, 2013). In India and Great Britain stratification excludes the various origins and ethnic affiliation of the population. The classification of household by their composition and size in India is not considered when determining the poverty threshold.

In both India and the Great Britain, the income of individuals is used to determine where they fall in terms of the poverty line and not their purchasing power. An open society if defined as one where members are afforded a degree of freedom and self-entitlement. A closed society, describes a society where the individuals are regarded as a group with the overall effort of collectivism. The open society is described by the democracy employed in making decision where each choice is put into consideration.

On the other hand, in a closed society the ruling body disregards individual options and undertakes options that best articulate the need for the group. An open society is characterized by individual prosperity, prosperity and uncontrolled disharmony in action. A closed society displays consensus, harmony, security and a uniform sense of orientation towards common goals (Henslin, 2014). Class system is one.