LECTURE 10: FORMS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION - CHARACTERISTICS, SOCIAL

MOBILITY, GENDER BASED SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CLASS AND CASTE SYSTEM

All over the world there is existence of similarities and differences in various
systems of stratification in all societies. The differences in societies are somewhere rigid and
somewhere flexible. In some systems different strata are easily identifiable, while in others the
boundaries are hard to locate. Considering the various societies that have existed and do exist,
certain recurrent forms of social stratification generally can be identified.
Types or Forms of Stratification
I. Caste system
II. Class system
III. Social mobility

I. Caste System
The term ‘Caste’ was derived from the Portuguese word ‘casta’ meaning
lineage or race. Caste is a closed class. As compared to class, the caste is the most rigid,
clearly graded type of social stratification. This has been often referred to as one of the
extreme forms of closed class systems. This has been the most rigid social stratification. No
matter the intelligence/diligence or whatever personal qualities, it has nothing to do with the
caste system. The lineage is the only criterion. One can never move to upper caste. It is
determined only by birth. However, on certain conditions one may even be expelled from
his/her caste group.

Definitions of Caste
-A caste is social category whose members are assigned a permanent status within a given
social hierarchy and whose contacts are restricted accordingly. Lundberg G. A., 1968
-When a class is somewhat strictly hereditary we may call is a caste. Coolen
- Caste is a closed class. Majumdar & Madan
-Caste is a system of stratification in which mobility up and down the status ladder, at
least ideally may not occur. Green, A. G.

Characteristics of Rigid Caste System

1. The caste system is determined slowly by birth and there is no vertical social mobility.
2. In other words, caste is a closed class system with clearly demarcated status and role of
its members. One is born into a caste, lives and dies in it.
3. When a class is somewhat strictly heredity we may called it as caste – Cooley
4. An individual is borne into a caste of his parents and can rise no further. Status is
determined by birth. Type of caste consciousness acts as a barrier to social progress.
5. India is cited as the most perfect instance of closed but not open system which is
extremely differentiated.

Determinants of Caste
1. The family in to which the individual takes birth and its name
2. The way of dressing
3. The privileges, rewards and restrictions
4. The way of performing religious rights etc
II. Class System
Classes are not established by legal or religious provisions. Class systems are typically
more fluid than the other types of stratification and the boundaries between classes are never
clear-cut. There are no formal restrictions on inter-marriage between people from different
classes. Some of the characteristics include individual’s achievement, social mobility,
economic status and class consciousness. Thus, class is a large scale grouping of people who
share common economic resources, which strongly influence the types of life style they are
able to lead; ownership of wealth, together with occupation, is the chief basis of class
differences.

The major classes that exist in India are (I) upper class (II) middle class and (III) lower or
working class.
A social class may be defined as abstract category of persons arranged in levels according
to the social status they possess. There are no firm lines dividing one category from the other.
Class is a principal basis of social stratification found especially in the modern civilised
countries. In societies where all men are free before the law, stratification may be based upon
accepted and self estimation of superiority or inferiority.

Definitions of Class
1. This is not the rigid stratification as that of caste system. The people can move from the
one stratum to other. It is not at all based on the inheritance. Rogers, E. M., 1960
2. A social class is any portion of a community forked off from the rest by social status”.
Maclver and Page
3. Social classes may be described as portions of the community, or collection of individuals,
standing to each other in the relation of quality and marked of from other persons by
accepted standards of superiority and inferiority. Ginsberg
4. Social classes are aggregates of individuals who have the same opportunities of acquiring
goods, the same exhibited standard of living. Max Weber
5. A social class is the aggregate of persons having essentially the same social status in a
given society. Ogburn & Nimkoff

Characteristics of Class System

1. Class system is based on occupation, wealth, education, age and sex.
2. A class system is a hierarchy of status group. This status is achieved by ability. In general
there are three classes – upper middle & lower.
3. A system based on the recognition of the superior – inferior positions. Feeling of
superiority & inferiority in relation to those who stand or below in the social hierarchy. In
these three classes there are such feelings the upper class people feel they are superior to
the other two whereas the lower class feels it is inferior to the upper class.
4. A system in which boundaries between classes are fluid and are less precisely defined.
5. Class system is associated with class consciousness. The behaviour action is determined by
this class consciousness. It consists in the realization of similarity of attitude and
behaviour with members of their own and others groups.
6. Sub-classes, classes are divided into different groups. Similar to caste system, the class
 system is divided.
7. A social class is not unstable like mob or crowd. It is relatively stable in nature.
8. Class system is an open system.
10. A social class is differentiated from other classes by its life style or mode of living viz.
Kind of house, means of recreation, communication pattern, way of dressing or mode of
dress etc.

III. Social Mobility

Social mobility refers to the movement within the social structure, from one social
position to another. It means a change in social status. All societies provide some opportunity
for social mobility. But the societies differ from each other to extent in which individuals can
move from one class or status level to another. The moment of individuals or groups from
one stratum of society to another is known as social mobility. It is said that the greater the
amount of social mobility, the more open the class structure.

Definition of Social Mobility

The term social mobility usually refers to the ‘movement of individuals and group from one
stratum of society to another or vertical mobility. (Chitamber, J. B., 1973).

Types of social mobility:

1. Vertical: mobility means to the two-way movement up or down have individual and
groups from one stratum to another. It brings changes in class, occupation and power. It
involves movement from lower to higher or higher to lower. There are two types of
vertical mobility. One is upward and other is downward mobility. When an individual
moves from lower status to higher status, it is called upward mobility. For example, if the
son of a peon joins a bank as an officer, it is said to be upward social mobility but if he
loses the job due to any other reason or inefficiency, he is downwardly mobile from his
previous job. So downward mobility takes place when a person moves down from one
position to another and change his status.
2. Horizontal: Mobility refers to movement of individuals between positions of society that
are roughly of the same of the social status or in other words we may say that it is
movement within the same status of society. It means that the ranks of these two groups
are not different. It indicates change in position without the change in status. For
example, if a teacher leaves one school and joins another school or a bank officer leaves
one branch to work in another or change of residence is the horizontal mobility.
3. Geographical: This mobility means the movement of group from one geographic area to
another; the geographical mobility may also involve vertical or horizontal movement.
4. Inter-generational Mobility: Change in social status across generations (e.g., children
achieving higher status than parents).
[Link]-generational Mobility: Changes in an individual's social status during their lifetime.

Factors contributing upward movement

The following are some of the criteria of upward movement:
1. Change in living standard,
2. Change in the residential area,
3. Changes in behaviour in order to meet upper class level,
4. Sometimes even change in name, and
5. Marriage with mate of higher social status has also been the criteria of upward movement.

Social mobility is influenced by factors such as education, economic opportunities,

social policies, and societal structure. It plays a vital role in ensuring equality and social
progress.

Differences between class and caste system

Character Class pattern Caste pattern
1. Value definition of Applied to any characteristic Usually applied to biological
inferiority and superiority
2. Relevancy in norm role Less than in caste systems More than in class systems
definitions
3. Self-definitions Labels and awareness may be Rigid labels and awareness
vague
4. Change and expectation Provided for and expected Neither provided nor expected
5. Material objects Possession of valued objects Possession of valued objects
increases as class position increases as caste position
increases increases
6. Justification of system Pragmatic ‘this worldly’ Strong religious endorsement
(value definition) justification
7. Status Achieved Ascribed

Social interaction: It is dynamic interplay of forces in which contacts between persons and
groups, results in a modification of the attitudes and behaviour of the participants -Sutherland
1961
Social processes: Social interaction, which assumes a repetitive pattern in a specific direction,
becomes a social process. Social process refer to repetitive forms of behaviour which are
commonly found in social life.
The major basic social processes are:
a) Cooperation: A goal cannot be achieved by an individual
b) Competition: Resources are limited, individuals needing them are more
c) Conflict: Individuals are aiming at each other rather than resources of goals
d) Accommodation: Adjusting to others behaviour even though we don’t like it
e) Assimilation: Barrowing of items from others cultures

Gender-Based Social Stratification in Rural Communities refers to the hierarchical

division of society based on gender, where men and women are assigned different roles,
responsibilities, and access to resources. This stratification is often more pronounced in rural
communities due to deeply ingrained traditional norms, cultural practices, and economic
constraints.

Key Aspects of Gender-Based Social Stratification:

1. Division of Labor:
o Women are primarily engaged in household chores, caregiving, and unpaid
agricultural labor.
 o Men tend to take on income-generating activities, heavy agricultural tasks, and
roles that involve public interaction.
o This division reinforces the perception that women's work is secondary or
invisible, despite its significant contribution to rural livelihoods.
2. Access to Resources:
o Women in rural areas often face limited access to resources like land
ownership, credit, agricultural inputs, education, and technology.
o Customary laws and patriarchal systems frequently deny women inheritance
rights and ownership of property.
o Limited access to resources restricts women's economic independence and
opportunities for growth.
3. Decision-Making Power:
o In rural households, men typically dominate decision-making regarding
finances, land use, and children’s education.
o Women are often excluded from leadership roles in community institutions,
self-help groups, or local governance bodies.
o This exclusion undermines women's potential to contribute to community
development and sustainable agriculture.
4. Social and Cultural Norms:
o Traditional beliefs and customs reinforce gender stereotypes, such as the
expectation that women prioritize domestic roles over education or
employment.
o Practices like early marriage and limited mobility further restrict women’s
ability to pursue education or economic opportunities.
o Gender-based roles are perpetuated through socialization, keeping women in
subordinate positions within the rural social structure.
5. Impact on Development:
o Gender-based stratification limits women's contributions to economic and
social progress in rural areas.
o Women’s lack of empowerment hinders agricultural productivity, poverty
alleviation, and overall community development.

Importance of Addressing Gender-Based Stratification:

 Promoting gender equality in rural communities can improve family well-being,

increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen rural economies.
 Empowering women through education, skill development, and access to resources
fosters inclusive growth.
 Encouraging women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles helps
drive sustainable development.

Addressing gender-based social stratification requires a multi-dimensional

approach involving policy reforms, awareness programs, and community-level initiatives to
challenge traditional norms and empower women in rural areas.