Social stratification

Definition

Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement and classification of individuals and groups in any given society based on various factors such as wealth, ethnicity, gender, and education. It structures access to resources, rights, and privileges differently across the strata.

Related terms

Class System:

A form of social stratification based primarily on income, occupation, and education, where mobility between classes is possible through achievement or luck.

Caste System:

A rigid form of social stratification where people's status is determined by birth and remains fixed for their lifetime, limiting social mobility.

Social Mobility:

The movement of individuals or groups up or down the social hierarchy, which can be a result of changes in wealth, occupation, education, or marriage