Social Stratification and Inequality
Unequal Social Worlds
Stratification
Social stratification is the layering of society into unequal groups based on access to wealth, power, and prestige.
Common dimensions of inequality
Inequality often involves class, race, gender, age, disability, and citizenship. These dimensions can overlap and combine.
Forms of stratification
| Dimension | What it often affects |
|---|---|
| Class | Income, wealth, education, life chances |
| Race and ethnicity | Access, treatment, opportunity |
| Gender | Work, pay, safety, roles |
| Age | Authority, dependence, expectations |
Life chances
Life chances are the chances people have of achieving desirable outcomes such as education, health, and stable work.
What is social stratification?
It refers to structured inequality in society.
Correct answer: The ranking of people into unequal layers
Name one dimension of inequality studied in sociology.
Any one of these is correct.
Correct answer: Class, race, gender, age, disability, or citizenship.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is the idea that different forms of inequality can interact. For example, a person's experiences may be shaped at the same time by gender, race, and class.