Nzuzi 1

Gloria Nzuzi

Professor Coulter

Soc 210

September 12 , 2017

Theory Paper

Social stratification is the division of society into groups arranged in a social

hierarchy(Ferris and Stein). In other words social stratification is a system by which

people in groups are categorized and ranked by their social status. Social stratification

is set up and grouped in many different ways such as age, gender, class, race, etc. in

all types of societies. Due to the different groups that set up the social stratification in a

society, there are a number of different systems of social stratification as well. Those

different systems include slavery, caste, and social class. In the social class the ranks

are based off of power and wealth and can change throughout the course of ones life.

This system of stratification is clearly different than the other two because it states that

one is in control of where they stand while the other two are in a way forced upon. In

some views of this system it is seen as necessary to society such as a structural

functionalist view, while in another it is toxic and unjust as in the conflict theoretical

perspective, or in the view of symbolic interactionism is created and upheld from the day

to day interaction of people.

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The theory of structural functionalism is built on the thought that a society is unified

through its different structures and functions. In the case of social stratification it is clear

that from a functionalist perspective this is very much necessary for the society to

function. With this perspective Although structural functionalism seems to go hand in

hand with social stratification, it fails to fully explain any change the system of social

class. The theory of functionalism supports the fact that some occupations deserve

better rewards than others and encourages that those rewards are divided unequally

between those of a society. While unconsciously accepted by most, this does come

across as unfair to many. That is not to say that this theory is false or in any way wrong

but this is where we should recognize the limit to how much this theory can explain and

justify social class. Applying this view to social class may lead one to ask how does the

different social classes work together to function? What are the dysfunctions in social

class? What are the manifest and latent functions?

Unlike structural functionalism which supported the view of social class, the conflict

theory disagrees with the prevalence of social inequalities between classes. With the

conflict theoretical perspective one is able to look between the lines and see the unfair

and fixed positions of social class. A strong statement by Melvin Tumin is made which

states that the more rigidly stratified a society is, the less chance does that society

have of discovering any new facts about the talents of its members. This statement

enhances the thought that social class is far fixed to the point where although it can be

changed,...its social structure shapes and sustains inequality(Ferris and Stein). This
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eye opening theory would generate the thoughts of questions such as, How are those of

the upper class maintaining those positions? How does one not only change their class

but the system of social class as well? Is there a sense of alienation towards those

underneath the working class? What would it take for those at a disadvantage in the

social class to gain the class consciousness needed to seek change?

When looking into the social class through the lenses of symbolic interactionism we

allow ourselves to dig deeper and not just look into the widescale view of things. With

the case of symbolic interactionism we as humans create an everyday class

consciousness which leads to assumptions and judgements that could place someone

in a specific position. This is not to say that where we end up is strictly controlled by our

interactions, but through those we help maintain them. In the case of any change to our

social class, it is evident that those day-to-day interactions would change or have a

different meaning to it as well. In a way, symbolic interactionism is the missing piece

that explains social class in structural functionalism and conflict theory. This is to be true

because it gives reason into how social class is maintained in the view of functionalism

and explains advantages and disadvantages that would appear due to everyday class

consciousness in conflict theory. A few questions one would ask while looking at this

perspective would be, what meaning would social class have to someone of the upper

class as opposed to someone of the underclass? How in specifics does our interactions

affect our perspective on social class? What is the correlation of an individual to their

social class?
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The best way to understand social class is not by choosing a specific theory while

ignoring the others but instead to view that system in all three of the perspectives. This

is very much so the best way because if everything were to be viewed in the

perspective of a functionalist, social class would be seen as justified in every way and

there would be no explanation for any continuous change in that system. On the other

had, the view of the conflict theory sees social class as rigid and unfair and explains that

change is essential to help benefit those a part of the lower social class. Lastly while

looking through the lenses of symbolic interactionism we take into consideration of the

not the system as a whole but the individuals who make up those social classes. Each

theory fails to truly explain social class as a whole on its own, but with that each theory

does contain a strong and helpful viewpoint. Structural functionalism elucidates the

needs of the society and how everything is necessary and works for the greater good,

on the contrary it is unsuccessful in explaining social inequality in any other context than

it is needed. Conflict theory makes up for that by addressing the social inequality within

the social classes while explaining that change will always occur in a society and is a

key point into it well. On the other hand symbolic interactionism makes up for the other

theories by adding a microsociological perspective of things and putting an individuals

day to day lives in consideration while examining their effect on social class. All in all the

three major theories helps us to see social class in different views that come together to

allow us to truly grasp and understand social class.

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Works Cited

Book

Ferris, Kerry, and Jill Stein. Chapter 1 & 7. The Real World: an Introduction to

Sociology, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2016.

Article

Davis, Kingsley, et al. Some Principles of Stratification. Irvington Publishers, 1993.