Sociology Stratification Systems

1096 Words5 Pages
Self and Individuality 2014 Sociology Term Paper Stratification systems are made up of social structures and cultural norms that create and maintain inequality by ranking people into a hierarchy of groups that receive unequal resources (Croteau and Hoynes 2013, p. 125). Stratification systems are the most consistent predictor of one’s behavior, attitudes, and life chances. Throughout life I have had many advantages and disadvantages that have influenced who and where I am today. In this essay I will look at my life through a sociological perspective. I will discuss two different sociological factors that have influenced who I am. I will look at my position as child of a middle class family, and my since of honor or as Malcom Gladwell in his book Outliers would describe it “culture of honor”. My Social class has enhanced my life through the communities I have lived in, the institutions I had access to, and the social networks I amerced myself with. First it is important to understand what class is. Class is a group of people who share a roughly similar economic position and lifestyle (Croteau and Hoynes 2013, p. 123), Culturally, I am an American. I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, more specifically Webster Groves, an upper middle class suburb of St. Louis County. My parents were together growing up, I had 2 sisters, a brother, and a dog, we epitomized the stereotypical suburban family. Being that my family had few struggles financially, growing up I went to a highly ranked high school that had many extra activities to choose from. I took advantage of swimming and soccer for a short period of time. Because my parents economic resources, they ultimately linked me with people of higher status in the community, rather I deserved to be amongst these people are still questionable to me, however, I was. Status is a position in a social system that can be
Open Document