Purchase Solution

The impact of social stratification on society as a whole.

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Assuming stratification, explain the relationship between the concepts:

A. Ascribed Status and Life Chances
B. Ideology and Social Mobility

Use an example to explain how each of the following concepts is related to stratification (not just the definition):

A. Ethnocentrism
B. Meritocracy

A. Ascribed Status and Life Chances

Assuming stratification exists then there is a direct relationship between ascribed status and life chances. As you mentioned in your paper already ascribed status refers to the status that society places on someone based on the social level they occupy at birth without regard to any merit on their part. Sociologically speaking life chances refers to the opportunities that each individual will have to improve his or her quality of life.

http://nortonbooks.typepad.com/everydaysociology/2010/09/inequality-and-life-chances-going-to-law-school-or-going-to-prison.html

From a sociological standpoint, in a stratified society one's ascribed status directly impacts one's life chances. If I am born into a upper or middle class home I will automatically enjoy more life chances than someone born into a lower class home. More of my friends and acquaintances will be people of power, wealth and influence. Because my parents all well-off I won't have to take a job as a teenager to make ends meet. This will free me up to pursue an education. With an advanced degree I will have the academic tools with which I can pursue a prosperous and fulfilling career.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

This is a discussion about the impact of social stratification on society. Specific areas of society that are discussed include: status, choices, social mobility and ethnocentrism. Over 1,200 words of original text along with links to informative websites.

Solution Preview

A. Ascribed Status and Life Chances
Assuming stratification exists then there is a direct relationship between ascribed status and life chances. As you mentioned in your paper already ascribed status refers to the status that society places on someone based on the social level they occupy at birth without regard to any merit on their part. Sociologically speaking life chances refers to the opportunities that each individual will have to improve his or her quality of life.

http://nortonbooks.typepad.com/everydaysociology/2010/09/inequality-and-life-chances-going-to-law-school-or-going-to-prison.html

From a sociological standpoint, in a stratified society one's ascribed status directly impacts one's life chances. If I am born into a upper or middle class home I will automatically enjoy more life chances than someone born into a lower class home. More of my friends and acquaintances will be people of power, wealth and influence. Because my parents all well-off I won't have to take a job as a teenager to make ends meet. This will free me up to pursue an education. With an advanced degree I will have the academic tools with which I can pursue a prosperous and fulfilling career.

B. Ideology and Social Mobility
If we are assuming a stratified society then we must first determine what level of stratification is being discussed. For example, stratification in India with its well-defined and ordered caste system is very different from the stratification in America with its upper, middle and lower classes.

In India, religious ideology serves to reinforce the caste system. This essentially cripples social mobility to a great degree. For example in India, the caste you are born into will determine who your friends are, what caste of person you will marry, what kind of work ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Sociology: Socialization & Social Groups

A refresher quiz on socialization.

Research Methods for Data Collection

This quiz is designed for students to help them gain a better understanding of the different types of research and when to appropriately use them.