Social Stratification

Oyekola, Isaac A. and OYEYIPO, EYITAYO J. (2020) Social Stratification. In: Introductory Sociology. Obafemi Awolowo University Press, Nigeria, pp. 125-138. ISBN 978-978-136-057-2

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Abstract

No society is classless or without strata. Stratification is part and parcel of social life. Every society defines a means of categorising each person into a particular social group. The placement of each individual in turn determines his value, as defined by the larger society; hence, the greater role of society in defining every person’s value. Differences in values and statuses of individual engender stratification in the society. If social stratification affected only such matters as who gets elected as President or who becomes the Chief Executive Officer, separate chapter might not be dedicated to its discussion. But social stratification does much more: It results in some members of society benefiting greatly and others suffering. Most societies of the world are organised so that their institutions systematically distribute benefits and burdens unequally among different categories of people (Hughes & Kroehler, 2008). Social arrangements are not neutral, but serve and promote the goals and interests of some people more than those of other people. In this Chapter, we shall discuss the concept of social stratification in terms of definition, functions, dimensions, systems, and theories before assessing it in the Nigerian social context.

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