Ch. 10Religion and Social

StratificationAshley Acevedo

What is Stratification? A society’s categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power.

Question 1:

Stratification-Process in which people are systematically ranked based on their access to valued

resources

How is society stratified?

Race Gender Class (SES)

The map ‘shows the geographic distribution of income in New York City by quintiles (20% increments). It’s a relative measure, but there are clear patterns of spatial income distribution. The Bronx and Eastern Brooklyn have some of the highest concentration of low-income populations, while Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, and more suburban areas of Queens and Staten Island have the highest incomes.’

http://communitystudies.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/

Question 2:Is society’s stratification permanent

or fluid?

Social Mobility Achieved Status open system Class is more open as there is the possibility for mobility.

Ascribed status- closed system

Closed system No chance for social mobility

Typically associated with caste system

Social ClassClass- a group of people who have a similar level of wealth and incomeClass is sometimes referred to as socioeconomic status.

A great example of social mobility and achieved status is the ideal of the ‘American Dream’, or the idea that immigrants would come to this country, work hard, and move up in society.

In Hinduism, there are 4 social classes or Castes called varna. These are:

Brahmin- (the priests and academics)Kshatriya- (rulers, military)

Vaishya- (farmers, landlords, and merchants)

Sudra- (peasants, servants, and workers in non-polluting jobs)

Daliat or untouchables They worked in what are considered polluting jobs…. They are considered so low as to be considered separate from the other social castes.

Stratification, Social Class, and Hinduism

Reincarnation The belief that after death, one's soul will be transferred into another body, which in Hinduism is referred to as samsara.

Karma- the idea that a person is rewarded for their good deeds by being born into a higher ranked caste and incarnation in the next life, or be punished by being born into a lower ranked caste, or even an animal.

http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~tjchen/The%20Caste%20System%20web.htm

Thus, your place in the caste hierarchy is considered your deserved place for deeds committed in your past lives.

Eventually, a person can escape rebirth by reaching enlightenment.

You are born into the same caste as your parents, and since a person's caste determines your occupation, and you cannot marry a person of a different caste, you typically die in the caste you were born into (no social mobility).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_xvKLhZHg 1:19-3:46from the BBC TV documentary called "The story of India" presented by historian Michael Wood.

Relationship between religion and social class

Does religion affect class?

OrDoes class affect

religion?

Marx

Economic circumstances affect religion (pg 232).

Economic factor were the most important in observing power and inequality in society.

Webber Both Self-interests were not limited to economics.

Observed that Protestants tend to be more affluent than Catholics (pg 231).

Social affinity or elective affinity- – People choose a religious affiliation that fits their socioeconomic position or lifestyle

Social Mobility- Changes in social status are followed by changes in religious affiliation

Webber

Protestant Ethic Explanation -- The belief system of some denominations may enhance members' likelihood of worldly success (as well as their views of success).

Ex) Martin Luther- doctrine of vocation Vocation is a sacred moral and religious duty in service to God

Labor is an expression of faithfulness to God

.   There is a strong relationship between one’s social class and

religion, especially denomination.