Class Stratification Essay Essay

CLASS STRATIFICATION ESSAY

Is the study of class still relevant in the United Kingdom today? It is not an easy question but I will try to answer it. First of all I will start to explain what is meant by ‘stratification’ and ‘class stratification’. Everyone knows that not everyone in society has the same life situations. Not everyone has the same chances and opportunities, nor is the same in possession. Some are on the top of the system - are educated, wealthy,famous, respected and appreciated while others are at the bottom- poor, completely without or with very hard work etc. This is what is specified by stratification. Stratification in society is a hierarchy of society groups, which depends on the position held by people. Sociologists try to understand this term because this would help them to explain the way in which particular social institution are formed and also peoples behaviour within the society. They see inequality in the structure of society, just as that social position persists across generations of a particular society. In the class stratification it is the most important to have prestige, wealth and power. According to class hierarchy Those with these characteristics are more than those who have not reached the summit. Groups at the same level of that ranking has got similar lifestyles, common interests and a common identity. There has been an interest in this topic since the time of Industrial Revolution which took place between 1760-1840. Since then, many factors and events had an impact for how classes are viewed currently and what their hierarchy is based on for example de-industrialisation which has been taking place in the UK, changing technologies and the process of globalisation or even the changing role of women in our society. So we can not directly tell whether there is a division of classes, and whether it is an important element of our society. But there are many theories about stratification, trying to explain their operation and...