Sociology Optional (Social Stratification) by Smriti Rao Mishra

Model Answer

Question #1. How do sociologists construct gender in their analysis of social inequality. 10 marks (150 words)

Sociologists play a vital role in analyzing social inequality through the lens of gender. They examine how gender is constructed and maintained within society and its implications for various aspects of social life. Here are some ways in which sociologists construct and analyze gender in their analysis of social inequality:

1. Socialization and gender roles: Sociologists study how individuals are socialized into gender roles and expectations from an early age. They explore how cultural norms, family dynamics, educational institutions, and media influence the construction of gender identities. Symbolic interactionists examine the socialization process and uncover how these gender roles are perpetuated in shaping individuals' opportunities, behaviors, and social positions.
2. Intersectionality: Sociologists recognize that gender intersects with other social categories such as race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality. Intersectional analysis highlights the ways in which gender inequality is intertwined with other forms of social oppression, leading to compounded disadvantages for individuals who face multiple marginalized identities.
3. Patriarchy and power relations: Sociologists analyze the distribution of power, resources, and decision-making authority, highlighting the ways in which patriarchal systems reinforce gender inequality. Sociologists explore how gendered power dynamics operate at various levels, including the family, workplace, politics, and broader societal institutions. Simone De Beauvoir examined the social construction of gender and its implications for power relations in her book “The Second Sex”. She analyzed how women are relegated to a subordinate position in patriarchal societies and explored the concept of ‘otherness’ in relation to women’s oppression.
4. Gendered division of labor: Sociologists analyze how gender norms shape occupational choices, income disparities, and career advancement opportunities and how household labor and caregiving responsibilities, contributing to unequal burdens and opportunities for individuals based on their gender. Ann Oakhley in her book “Sex, Gender, Society” challenged the notion that gender differences are solely biological determined, she argued that they are socially constructed. She explored division of labour in household and concluded that traditional gender roles perpetuate gender inequality and limit opportunities for women.
5. Institutional analysis: Sociologists examine how social institutions, such as the legal system, education, and the economy, contribute to gender inequality and are embedded in institutional policies, practices, and norms. They also explore how resistance movements and policy changes can challenge and transform these institutions to promote gender equality. Pierre Bourdieu in his theory of social reproduction highlights how power is maintained and reproduced through various forms of capital. Gender plays a crucial role in the distribution of social and cultural capital leading to the perpetuation of gender inequalities in society. 
6. Masculinities and femininities: Sociologists study the diverse ways in which masculinity and femininity are constructed and performed within society. They analyze the social expectations and pressures placed on individuals to conform to particular gender norms and behaviors. Sociologists also examine how non-binary and alternative gender identities challenge traditional gender binaries and contribute to a more inclusive understanding of gender. Judith Butler’s work on gender performativity examines how gender is constructed and repeated through acts and performances. Raewyn Connell examines the concept of ‘Hegemonic Masculinity’ that explores how dominant forms of masculinity shape power relations and maintain gender inequality. 

Through these analytical approaches, sociologists deconstruct and challenge gender as a source of social inequality. Their research helps to illuminate the complex ways in which gender operates within society, providing insights that can inform policies, interventions, and movements aimed at achieving greater gender equality.

Question #2. Discuss the various sociological perspectives on social stratification. 15 marks (250 words)

All societies are marked by differences on various counts like – sex, wealth, skills, color, status, power and geography and so on. Society tends to attach values on such differences in terms of superior or inferior, desirable or undesirable and that creates ‘inequalities’. While differences are created by nature, man creates inequalities. Thus, social inequalities come into existence into every society. These inequalities occur in specific patterns. These patterns are understood through the concept of ‘Social Stratification’.

Social stratification is a process in which social inequalities exist in the form of structural hierarchical strata one placed above the other. In the words of Sutherland and Maxwell, “Social stratification is a process of differentiation which places some people higher than the others”.

Whether stratification is good for society or not, whether it is desirable or undesirable can be better comprehended with the help of different theories of stratification.

Theories of stratification:

1.  Structural Functionalist View

Structure functionalists believe that social stratification in society exists because it serves an important role in the functioning of society. Different strata are created due to the differential capacity of actors and their ability to perform different roles. Functionalists see the existence of various strata in terms of their interdependence, cooperation and serving the function of integration of society. 

• Talcott Parsons—

According to Parsons, stratification is inevitable as value-consensus is an integral part of all types of societies. Parsons acknowledges that there is inequality in society, but this is deemed as legitimate as per values and norms as a measure of differential achievement.

Some wield more power and this is considered legitimate as it is deemed to be in the welfare of all. 

• Davis and Moore—

Davis and Moore formulated their famed functionalist theory in their work ‘Some Principle of Social Stratification, 1945. According to them rewards are attached to the positions that exist in the various strata and some of these positions are functionally more important and others are functionally less important. Societies need these stratified positions for its proper functioning. Talent is considered scarce and more talented people are required to hold more functionally important positions. Thus, social stratification is a mechanism of role allocation in which more important positions are filled by more talented people for the benefit of all.

2. Marxian View

While functionalists advocated that stratification is desirable and performs a function in the society, Marxians are of the view that stratification leads to exploitation and oppression of the working class by the ruling class in all hitherto societies. Marx divided the society into two broad strata – the Haves, and the Have nots, on the basis of ownership of forces of production.

• In ancient society- master (haves) and slave (have nots)
• In feudal society- feudal lord(have) and serf (have nots)
• Capitalist society- Bourgeoisie (have) and proletariat (have nots)

3. Weberian view

Marx said that there are inequalities in society in various fields, but they all emanate from one thing – control over forces of production. Weber, however, refused to reduce stratification to economic factors (or class, in Weber’s terms) but saw it as multidimensional. According to him, society is stratified on the bases of economics, prestige/status, and power. Social stratification is ubiquitous and continues to exist in different societies across time and space.

Thus social stratification has been examined from multiple perspectives in Sociology.