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ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS GUIDE (2014-2015)

E.S.O.-14
Society and Stratification
Disclaimer/Special Note: These are just the sample of the Answers/Solutions to some of the Questions given in the
Assignments. These Sample Answers/Solutions are prepared by Private Teacher/Tutors/Auhtors for the help and Guidance
of the student to get an idea of how he/she can answer the Questions of the Assignments. We do not claim 100%
Accuracy of these sample Answers as these are based on the knowledge and cabability of Private Teacher/Tutor. Sample
answers may be seen as the Guide/Help Book for the reference to prepare the answers of the Question given in the
assignment. As these solutions and answers are prepared by the private teacher/tutor so the chances of error or mistake
cannot be denied. Any Omission or Error is highly regretted though every care has been taken while preparing these
Sample Answers/Solutions. Please consult your own Teacher/Tutor before you prepare a Particular Answer & for uptodate
and exact information, data and solution. Student should must read and refer the official study material provided by the
university.
Section-I
Answer the following questions in about 500 words each.
Q. 1. Discuss the concept of ethnicity.
Ans. An ethnicity, or ethnic group, is a socially-defined category of people who identify with each other based on
common ancestral, social, cultural, or national experience. Membership of an ethnic group tends to be defined by a shared
cultural heritage, ancestry, myth of origins, history, homeland, language (dialect), or even ideology, and manifests itself
through symbolic systems such as religion, mythology and ritual, cuisine, dressing style, physical appearance, etc.
The term ethnicity has been defined in broader sense to signify self-consciousness of a group of people united or
closely related by shared experience such as language, religious belief, common heritage etc. While race usually denotes
the attributes of a group, ethnic identity signifies creative response of a group who consider themselves marginalized in
society.The identity of a group is defined vis a vis another community and how this identity becomes psychologically and
socially important for a member or members of a community. Ethnicity is a concept referring to a shared culture and way
of life. This can be reflected in language, religion, material culture such as clothing and food, and cultural products such
as music and art. Ethnicity is often a major source of social cohesion and social conflict.
An ethnic group or ethnicity is a population of human beings whose members identify with each other, either on the
basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestry, or recognition by others as a distinct group, or by common cultural,
linguistic, religious, or territorial traits. Processes that result in the emergence of such identification are summarized as
ethnogenesis. Members of an ethnic group, on the whole, claim cultural continuities over time, although historians and
anthropologists have documented that many of the cultural practices on which various ethnic groups are based are of
relatively recent invention. The term is used in contrast to race, which refers to a classification of physical and genetic
traits perceived as common to certain groups. Although ethnicity frequently features in current quantitative social
psychology, it is rarely theorised. A working definition of ethnicity is provided, and an argument for moderate constructivism
is advanced. Then, it is discussed how ethnicity has been treated in some of the major traditions in quantitative social
psychology, and problems arising from this are highlighted. Firstly, the way ethnicity is discussed in much psychological
work leads to a terminological confusion. Secondly, an overly strong focus on generic identity processes prevalent among
some social identity researchers bears the danger of excluding a range of important phenomena related to ethnicity from
scientific observation. Thirdly, the way in which ethnicity is conceptualised in much of quantitative social psychology (as
evinced by psychological theorising, writing, and methodological choices) is incompatible with the notion of ethnicity as
constructed. Ignoring the constructed nature of ethnicity has negative consequences for our ability to interpret research
findings, for the well-being of participants, and it can have negative ethical and political implications.
Globalization is reducing the economic sovereignty of nations and international law is chipping away at the inviolability
of states, but nationalism remains the strongest political force in the world today. It was once presumed that ethnicity

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would decline in the face of a shrinking planet, as people became increasingly interdependent in economic and cultural
terms, and there was increased awareness that we are one world facing common ecological, political, and security
problems.
Q. 2. Elaborate the relationship between the concepts of Gender Status and Power.
Ans. Gender identity is the gender or genders a person self-identifies as. Ones biological sex is directly tied to
specific social roles and expectations. Judith Butler considers the concept of being a woman to have more challenges,
owing not only to societys viewing women as a social category but also as a felt sense of self, a culturally conditioned or
constructed subjective identity. The term woman has historically been used interchangeably with reference to the female
body, though more recently this usage has been viewed as controversial by feminists. There are qualitative analyses that
explore and present the representations of gender; however, feminists challenge these dominant ideologies concerning
gender roles and sex. Social identity refers to the common identification with a collectivity or social category that creates
a common culture among participants concerned. According to social identity theory, an important component of the selfconcept is derived from memberships in social groups and categories; this is demonstrated by group processes and how
inter-group relationships impact significantly on individuals' self perception and behaviours. The groups people belong to
therefore provide members with the definition of who they are and how they should behave within their social sphere.
Gender socialization has garnered considerable attention in psychological research, given the salience of gender
roles in life. There are usually differences in male and female gender expectations, with traditional roles placing men in
positions of power and encouraging them to be assertive, aggressive, and competitive. Women are taught to be passive,
nurturing, and subservient (Bechhofer and Parrot, 1991). In many traditional cultures, women are to be pure (i.e.,
virgins) before marriage while men are given more liberties regarding sexual behaviour. Furthermore, men are empowered
to objectify women with little social consequence. In the majority of traditional societies, men's roles and attitudes dominate
most social institutions.
Most individuals abide by the gender expectations within their cultural context; however there are some that diverge
from these expected behaviours. Deviance from gender expectations may have consequences and can ultimately leave an
individual viewed as undesirable by the community For example, violation of gender roles can result in ostracism by
family and community due to shame imposed on violator and the violator being a victim of violence and/or discrimination.
Some groups that have faced consequences for diverging from traditional gender roles are women in roles of power in
corporate America, women in the military, men pursuing careers in areas that are traditionally occupied by women (i.e.,
nursing, dance, early elementary school teacher), men who fill the role of stay-at-home dad, and the LGBT community.
The systematic gathering and examination of information on gender differences and social relations in order to
identify, understand and redress inequities based on gender. Gender analysis is a valuable descriptive and diagnostic tool
for development planners and crucial to gender mainstreaming efforts. The methodology and components of gender
analysis are shaped by how gender issues are understood in the institution concerned. There are a number of different
approaches to gender analysis, including the Gender Roles or Harvard framework, and Social Relations Analysis.
Section - II
Answer the following questions in about 250 words each.
Q. 3. Describe features of the caste system.
Ans. Historically, the caste system in India has consisted of thousands of endogamous groups called Jatis or Quoms
(among Muslims). All the Jatis were clubbed under the varnas categories during the British colonial Census of 1901. The
terms varna (theoretical classification based on occupation) and jati (caste) are two distinct concepts: while varna is the
idealised four-part division envisaged by the Twice-Borns, jati (community) refers to the thousands of actual endogamous
groups prevalent across the subcontinent. A jati may be divided into exogamous groups based on same gotras. The
classical authors scarcely speak of anything other than the varnas; even Indologists sometimes confuse the two.
Caste system hierarchically divides the society. A sense of highness and lowness or superiority and inferiority is
associated with this gradation or ranking. The Brahmins are placed at the top of the hierarchy and are regarded as pure or
supreme. The degraded caste or the untouchables have occupied the other end of the hierarchy. The status of an individual
is determined by his birth and not by selection nor by accomplishments. Each caste has its own customs, traditions
practices and rituals. It has its own informal rules, regulations and procedures. The caste panchayats or the caste councils
regulate the conduct of members. The caste system has imposed certain restrictions on the food habitats of the members
these differ from caste to caste. In North India Brahmin would accept pakka food only from some castes lower than his
own.
But he would not accept kachcha food prepared with the use of water at the hands of no other caste except his own.

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As a matter of rule and practice no individual would accept kachcha food prepared by an inferior casteman.The caste
system put restriction on the range of social relations also. The idea of pollution means a touch of lower caste man would
pollute or defile a man of higher caste. Even his shadow is considered enough to pollute a higher caste man. The lower
caste people suffered from certain socio-religious disabilities. The impure castes are made to live on the outskirts of the
city and they are not allowed to draw water from the public wells. In earlier times entrance to temples and other places of
religious importance were forbidden to them. Educational facilities, legal rights and political representation were denied
to them for a very long time. If the lower castes suffer from certain disabilities some higher caste like the Brahmins enjoys
certain privileges like conducting prayers in the temples etc. There is gradation of occupations also. Some occupations
are considered superior and sacred while certain others degrading and inferior. For a long time occupations were very
much associated with the caste system. Each caste had its own specific occupations which were almost hereditary. There
was no scope for individual talent, aptitude, enterprise or abilities.
Q. 4. Describe what are the Other Backward Classes.
Ans. Under the Backward Classes Bureau, the Ministry is mandated to look after the welfare of Backward Classes,
by implementing the schemes for Backward Classes. The Ministry also deals with the National Backward Classes
Commission (NCBC) which was set up in 1993. The Commission tenders advice to the Ministry in respect of castes, subcastes, synonyms and communities for inclusion in/from the central list of Other Backward Classes.
Backward Classes means such backward classes of citizens other than the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as
may be specified by the Central Government in the lists prepared by the Government of India from time to time for
purposes of making provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of backward classes of citizens
which, in the opinion of that Government, are not adequately represented in the services under the Government of India
and any local or other authority within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.
Other Backward Class (OBC) is a collective term used by the Government of India to classify castes which are
educationally and socially disadvantaged. It is one of several official classifications of the population of India, along with
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs). The OBCs were found to comprise 52% of the countrys population
by the Mandal Commission report of 1980, a figure which had shrunk to 41% by 2006 when the National Sample Survey
Organisation took place. In the Indian Constitution, OBCs are described as socially and educationally backward classes,
and the Government of India is enjoined to ensure their social and educational development for example, the OBCs are
entitled to 27% reservations in public sector employment and higher education. The list of OBCs maintained by the
Indian Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is dynamic, with castes and communities being added or removed
depending on social, educational and economic factors.
Until 1985, the affairs of the Backward Classes were looked after by the Backward Classes Cell in the Ministry of
Home Affairs. A separate Ministry of Welfare was established in 1985 (renamed in 1998 to the Ministry of Social and
Empowerment) to attend to matters relating to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs.
Q. 5. Outline the concept of middle class.
Ans. The term middle class is first attested in James Bradshaws 1745 pamphlet Scheme to prevent running Irish
Wools to France. The term has had several, sometimes contradictory, meanings. It was once defined by exception as an
intermediate social class between the nobility and the peasantry of Europe. While the nobility owned the countryside, and
the peasantry worked the countryside, a new bourgeoisie (literally town-dwellers) arose around mercantile functions in
the city. Another definition equated the middle class to the original meaning of capitalist: someone with so much capital
that they could rival nobles. In fact, to be a capital-owning millionaire was the essential criterion of the middle class in the
industrial revolution. In France, the middle classes helped drive the French Revolution.
The middle class is a class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the
middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class
and upper class. The common measures of what constitutes middle class vary significantly among cultures. The term
middle class is first attested in James Bradshaws 1745 pamphlet Scheme to prevent running Irish Wools to France. The
term has had several, sometimes contradictory, meanings. It was once defined by exception as an intermediate social class
between the nobility and the peasantry of Europe.[by whom?] While the nobility owned the countryside, and the peasantry
worked the countryside, a new bourgeoisie (literally town-dwellers) arose around mercantile functions in the city.
Another definition equated the middle class to the original meaning of capitalist: someone with so much capital that they
could rival nobles. In fact, to be a capital-owning millionaire was the essential criterion of the middle class in the industrial
revolution. In France, the middle classes helped drive the French Revolution.
The modern usage of the term middle class, however, dates to the 1913 UK Registrar-Generals report, in which the

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statistician T.H.C. Stevenson identified the middle class as that falling between the upper class and the working class.[citation
needed] Included as belonging to the middle class are professionals, managers, and senior civil servants. The chief
defining characteristic of membership in the middle class is possession of significant human capital. Within capitalism,
middle class initially referred to the bourgeoisie and the petite bourgeoisie. However, with the impoverisation and
proletarianisation of much of the petit bourgeois world, and the growth of finance capitalism, middle class came to
refer to the combination of the labour aristocracy, the professionals, and the white collar workers.
Q. 6. Discuss class and social mobility.
Ans. The link between social class and social mobility is social class ia an open system which means people are able
to move up and down the social hierarchy resulting in acheiving social mobility but people may also move down the
social hierarchy resulting in a lower social class this may occur if a person loses their income, wealth or status. Social
class is measured in terms of status; a person belonging to a particular class is said to hold status similar to members of
that class. So social class is defined in terms of the amount of status the members of a particular class relatively have, in
comparison with members of other social classes. Broadly speaking, the stratification into varied social classes, is done
on the bases on three factors, viz., wealth (economic assets) power (ability to exert influence over others) and prestige
(recognition received). However, marketing academicians and researchers, as well as consumer researchers, define status
in terms of demographical variables like income, occupation and education; in fact, the three are interrelated and thus,
used in conjunction to each other. While understanding buying patterns and consumption behavior, it is necessary to
understand the dynamics of social class.
People in community can move from one strata to another. They can move either up or down the social class; this
mobility gets exhibited in two forms. One, individuals can move either up or down in social-class standing across
generations, i.e. while their parents may have belonged to one strata, they begin to belong to another, either upper or
lower. Two, such a transition may also be seen through ones life, i.e. as a person becomes independent and starts earning,
he may belong to one class and as he progresses in life, he may begin to belong to another. Upward mobility is more
common and is generally the trend these days.
Section-III
Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.
Q. 7. Distinguish between Sanskritization and Westernization.
Ans. Westernization refers to all cultural changes and institutional innovations in India as this country came into
political and cultural contract with the western nations especially British. Westernization include establishment of scientific,
technological and educational institutions, rise of nationalism, new political culture and leadership in the country.
M.N.Srinivas expressed that westernisation and sanskritisation were going together. He emphasized the same from the
following; Westernization improved communication and technology; it hastened the process of Sanskritization through
religious propaganda and caste and communal congregation.
Sankritization is the process by which a low caste or tribe or other groups takes over the customs, rituals, beliefs,
ideology and life-style of a higher caste. The term was coined by M.N.Srinivas in his studies on Coorgs in India and it was
primarily meant to describe the process of cultural mobility in the traditional rural India.
Q. 8. Distinguish between Jati and Varna.
Ans. Jati and Varna are two words that are very important while studying Indian social system. These are classifications
of the traditional Indian society that confuse many people who are outsiders, especially westerners as they go for literal
translation of these words. The western world is aware of the caste system that is prevalent in India, but they make the
mistake of treating both Jati and Varna as the caste of an individual where the two terms are not synonymous.
The word Varna, when translated into Hindi, literally translates into color. However, the Varna system had nothing to
do with the color of the skin of an individual. In fact, the Varna system was devised to classify a person on the basis of his
attributes or characteristics. However, the system got degenerated with the passage of time and developed into the much
maligned caste system that is seen even today. This caste system meant that a person had no chances of upward mobility
in the society, and he remained in the caste that he was born into.
The original Varna system was devised to have harmony and cooperation between people living in the society and
people in different Varnas did not interfere in each other's lives to compete. It was when the Varna of a person was decided
on the basis of his birth rather than his qualities that it became rotten.
What is the difference between Jati and Varna?

The Jati was a subdivision of the communities in the Indian social order which was broadly divided into four
Varnas.

Varna is a much older system of classification than Jati.

Jati helped in identification within one's own Varna.

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Jati system of classification got degraded into the modern caste system.

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