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Social Stratification

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Jenn King
Sociology 204
Winter 2012

Social Stratification

The word stratification is defined as the building up of layers. To stratify is to separate. In the
World we live there is social stratification. This social separation or stratification exists everywhere on earth. People of societies are separated on the bases of social class, race, ethnicity, and gender. Let us examine these different kinds stratification.
Social stratification is the ranking of people and the rewards they receive based on objective criteria including wealth, power, and/or prestige. All societies have social stratifications, but the how people are divided varies. In the U.S people are divided not only by political, corporate, and government elites, but also by income and wealth.
Race and ethnic stratification occur when people are divided into groups according to their race and/or ethnic backgrounds. Race refers to one’s physical appearance and ethnicity refers to one’s cultural heritage. The groups are majority, minority, and dominate groups. Majority groups represent the group with the largest numbers and they have significant power and privilege in a society. Minority groups are less in numbers and have less power. Dominant groups are groups with power and they use their power to discriminate against others.
Gender stratification occurs because society constructs what is appropriate for a girl and what is appropriate for a boy, therefore people are separated based on gender identity. Gender can refer to an individual’s sex, social role, or gender identity which is one’s perception of their self as male or female. Gender stratification results in patriarchies, matriarchies and sexism. A patriarchy is a system where the father is the head of the household and has authority over the women and children and a matriarchy is a system where women have the authority. Sexism is the

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