Social Stratification

Stratification – segmental division of group in a society. In a primitive society, there were no divisions among the people. They produce goods for their own consumption and there was no trade. Once people started accumulating the means of production, divisions emerged in the society and they owned the means of production that led to disparity in wealth and status.

In ancient times, the stratification was rigid and larger section of people accepted the unjustified division of class in a society as it was their fate rather than the problem. Most of the people were unaware of their rights against the exploitation due to illiteracy.

Status and role has a major role in the division of groups in a society. Status is the position of an individual whereas role can be stated the action or discharge of function based on the status. Status may be ascribed (i.e. Caste) or achieved (i.e. Educational qualification).

Stratification has its own advantages and disadvantages. The stability of society is ensured, people gets the specialized knowledge in a particular field that improves the wealth of a particular group. The major drawbacks of this system are conflicts among the people, restricted job opportunities, restricted socialization, restricted religious ceremony, hierarchical classification in the society etc. Though it has a fingered number of advantages, the disadvantage counts high.

Castes and classes are the daughters of social stratification. India is multi-ethnic, multi-religious & multi-linguistic country. Hence, the complete abolition of discrimination i.e castes, classes and gender is not possible overnight. The stratification in the form of classes based on wealth is always accepted, since the achieved status is dynamic and subject to change. But, any form of misbehavior on account of social stratification is unacceptably condemnable.