Global StratificationChapter 9

Stratification Systems The condition of being arranged into classes or

social strata within a group. Stratification can happen in two ways:

People can be assigned to societal roles, using as a basis for the assignment an ascribed status over which they have no control. The Caste System and the Estate System

i.e. gender, age, family name, or skin color People’s positions in the social hierarchy can be

based to some degree on their achieved statuses gained through their individual, direct efforts. The Class System

The Caste System

The caste system is a rigid form of stratification, based on ascribed characteristics such as skin color or family identity, that determines a person's prestige, occupation, residence and social relationships. Many people believe that true caste systems are

found only in India, although some have suggested that they exist in southwestern Ethiopia and other parts of Africa.

The Caste System (Continued) People are born into and spend their entire lives

within a caste with little chance of leaving. The caste is a closed group whose members are

severely restricted in their choice of occupation and degree of social participation.

Social status is determined by the caste of one’s birth , and it is very unusual for a person to overcome his or her origins.

Contact between castes is minimal and governed by a set of rules.

India- The Hindu Caste System

Religious beliefs often justify a caste system i.e. The Hindu Caste System in India

The Hindu Caste System in India consisted of four varnas each of which corresponded to a body part of the mythical Purusa

Purusa’s mouth issued forth priest (Brahmans) His arms gave rise to warriors (Kshatriyas) His thighs produced artisans and merchants (Vaishyas) His feet brought forth menial laborers ( Shudras) Below the Shudras were the untouchables or

Panchamas ( the “fifth division”) Considered to fall outside the caste and performed

the most menial tasks.

The Hindu Caste System Each varna had clearly defined rights and duties

associated with it.

The Hindu Caste System In the 1930s Mohandas Gandhi tried to change

attitudes towards the untouchables and the untouchability was declared illegal in 1949.

Officially the Indian Caste system has been outlawed, but evidence of its existence is still present, particularly in rural areas.

The Indian government has an affirmative action system that it calls “reservations” which applies to certain government jobs and admission to all pubic and private educational institutions.

The Estate System

The Estate System is a close system of stratification in which a persons social position is defined by law and membership is determined primarily by inheritance.

An estate is as segment of society that has legally established rights and duties.

Some mobility is possible but is difficult.

The Estate System of Medieval Europe

The three major estates in Europe during the Middle Ages were the nobility, the clergy, and the bottom of the hierarchy, the peasants.

Nobility were the warriors and expected to provide military protection and social order to the other two estates.

The clergy not only ministered to the spiritual needs of all the people but also were often powerful landowners as well.

The peasants were legally tied to the land which they worked to provide the nobles with food and wealth. Peasants had low social status, little freedom or economic standing, and almost no power.

Just above the peasants was a small group of merchants and craftsmen and they operated outside the estate system.

The Estate System of Medieval Europe Individuals were born into one of the estates and

remain there throughout their lives. Under unusual circumstances people could change

their estates, as for example, when peasants through savings could buy a position in the church for a son or a daughter.

For most, however, social mobility was difficult and extremely limited because the wealth was permanently concentrated among the landowners.

The Class System

People in a Class share: similar opportunities similar economic positions similar vocational similar lifestyles similar attitudes/behaviors

Greater mobility

Theories of Global Stratification

Modernization Theory

Dependency Theory

Modernization Theory

Differences due to: Technology Culture

Strong religious or historical traditions

Helping less-developed countries

Critics

Dependency Theory

Rich and poor nations linked

Rich exploit the poor

Marxist view Capitalism has a global effect

Poor become dependent on the rich

Critics

Global Diversity World population has more than doubled since

1960. 20% of the global population accounts for 86% of

private consumption. Lowest 20% in terms of wealth holds only 1.23%

2 billion people are malnourished ¼ lack adequate housing 20% cannot access proper healthcare 20% of children cannot access education.

World Health Trends

Health: an state of complete mental, physical and social well-being. Life expectancy has

increased in developed countries.

80% of the world’s population has no access to healthcare.

Children and Infant’s Health in Developing Countries.

Developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America account for 98% of the world’s death of children below 5.

95% of those deaths are preventable. Diarrheal dehydration,

malaria, tetanus, measles, infectious and respiratory diseases, diphtheria, tuberculosis, pertussis.

Maternal Health Maternal malnutrition

Low weight babies Impaired immune

systems Learning disabilitiesMother’s excessively heavy workloads.MalariaAnemiaHookworm infestation

Newborn Mortality Prevention Family planning programs which discourage teen

pregnancy Better educated mothers know more about good

diet and hygiene More likely to use maternal and child health

services

HIV/AIDS About 33 million infected

worldwide Killed 25 million since 1981

Developed countries have reduced speed at which HIV-infected people develop AIDS with antiretroviral drugs Underdeveloped countries

may have a smaller percentage of population, but a high percentage of HIV positives in the population.

Population Trends Population never exceeded 10

million during the first 2-5 million years of human existence.

Population growth has continued despite the fertility rate decline due to HIV/AIDS

Population is doubling every 58 years Will quadruple in 116 years

If the rate slows, it is expected that families would be limited to 2 children per family.

Child Marriage Then: Originally to protect unwelcomed sexual advances

and gain economic security Now: The girl has a life of sexual and economic servitude. Often leads to little or no formal education for girls

Early Marriage Provides more years of conception to occur. Decreases the parent’s years of schooling and limits their

employment opportunities. China was the first country to raise the average age of marriage.

They passed a law of with a legal minimum marriage age (1980).

Breastfeeding Delays the resumption of menstruation Safer in developing / underdeveloped countries Bottle feed baby's more likely to experience

respiratory infection and diarrhea

Infant & Child Mortality High infant mortality promotes high fertility Lower infant and child mortality will lead to

population growth Long term effects are more important

Health and Education

Gender Preferences Male Preference

1. Economic factors: The value assigned to women's work and ability to contribute to family income.

2. Social Factors: Kinship, marriage patterns and religion

3. Psychological Factors: Influence on parents decisions about size and composition of families.

Gender Preferences Girls have better survival rates then boys Women normally live longer then men. In underdeveloped countries the data varies due

to customs and traditions.

Benefits & Costs of Children In underdeveloped countries the benefits of having

a child exceeds the costs. The value of children changes family growth and

economic development of another countries First child is most important Second child more of a companion Third and on pleasure is derived from watching

children grow

Contraceptions

What is?CondomsHormonal PillsSurgical Sterilization, Vasectomy

Around the World70 – 80 %

20% or less

AbortionCountry Abortion Birth ControlChina Accepted AcceptedBangladesh Denied DeniedIreland Denied DeniedIndia Accepted AcceptedU.S.A Accepted Accepted

StatisticsRussia: More then half of pregnancies end in abortions

It is common even in countries where its mostly considered illegal.

World: 1 in 3 Pregnancies end in Abortion

Global Aging

What it affects Economic Growth Savings Investment Consumption Labor Markets Pensions Taxation Wealth Property Personal Care

What’s causing it Advancement in Medicine Everyone’s goal to keep loved ones forever In the year 2050, people older then 65 will

outweigh the entire population Oldest old live in developed countries

What's in it for us? Higher Health-Care costs Social Security dissolvent