WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology sample

Social stratification All societies have some kind of inequality. Inequality might come from differences in wealth, power or life-chances. Stratification is a way of seeing these inequalities as layers. Just like a trifle has layers of cream, custard and jelly, society has different layers based on inequality. The class system Theory In the UK, most sociologists see our society as split into layers of social class . At the top is the upper class: a smaller group of very rich and powerful people. Below that are two larger groups: the middle class and the working class. A person’s job, or occupation, has tended to determine which social class you are in. Stratification by ethnicity and status Knowledge In some other societies in history, stratification has been based on aspects other than social class. South Africa had a system called apartheid . This layered society by ethnicity , with white Europeans at the top and other ethnic groups below. South Africa faced pressure from other countries to change its system, which was clearly based on racism. Apartheid in South Africa lasted from 1948 to 1994. It seems shocking to us now, but remember that some states in the USA also had aspects of apartheid until the 1960s. Another similar example is a caste system . The caste system was common in India and was based on Hindu beliefs about fate in life. People were born into a certain group. The groups were layered in terms of status , or importance. Those at the bottom, who formed the underclass and were called the untouchables, had the very worst life-chances from birth, affecting their job prospects, who they could marry and where they could live. Open and closed systems Comparison The important thing to notice about both of these structures is that they were closed systems . There was no chance that you could work your way up the system. Whichever group you were born into affected your whole life. People in the UK today would see this as unfair. Although we have inequality in our society and do have a stratification system, it is an open system . Our stratification system is one of social class, mainly based on your occupation (job). Therefore, anyone has a chance of working their way into a better job. Social mobility Example This improvement could be by achieving a good education or by starting your own business like Anwar Pervez, founder of Bestway cash-and-carry stores, and Alan Sugar. In 2015, Lord Sugar was said to be a billionaire, but he started out living in a council flat and selling car aerials from the back of a van. He has moved up through all the layers of society and proves it is possible! Social differentiation and stratification 124 Chapter 4 WHAT AM I GOING TO LEARN? To understand what social stratification is and know about different types of stratification system. Taking it further Is the UK a meritocracy ? Check you understand the meaning of this term. With a learning partner, make a list of arguments to support the belief that the UK is a meritocracy. Then list ways you think it is not a meritocracy. Discuss what you think overall.