Social Stratification, Class, Race, and Gender
Understanding Social Hierarchy
What Stratification Does
Social stratification is the structured ranking of groups in society. It affects access to education, income, health, safety, influence, and mobility across generations.
Key Concepts
Mechanism
Inequality persists through institutions, networks, stereotypes, unequal resources, and differences in power.
Equal Treatment vs Equity
Equal Treatment
- Everyone receives the same thing
- May ignore different starting points
- Can leave structural gaps unchanged
Equity
- Support is adjusted to need
- Aims for fairer outcomes
- Addresses barriers and disadvantage
What does intersectionality emphasize?
Intersectionality focuses on how multiple identities and structures combine to shape outcomes.
Correct answer: Inequalities can overlap and interact
Why is social mobility important to study?
Mobility indicates whether opportunities are open or blocked.
Correct answer: It shows how easily people can move between social positions over time.
Life Chances
Life chances are the opportunities individuals have to improve their well-being. They are shaped by family background, education, labor markets, discrimination, and policy.
Which is the best example of structural inequality?
Structural inequality comes from durable patterns in institutions and access to resources.
Correct answer: Different outcomes caused by stable institutional barriers
Name one policy or practice that can reduce inequality.
Different interventions target different sources of inequality.
Correct answer: Any valid policy such as progressive taxation, equal access to education, or anti-discrimination enforcement.