Reading: Stratification - Slides

Stratification

Henry Reyenga

Stratification

Strata is in all societies at all times. 

Different classes, ranks, groupings, and occupations in societies from the beginning of time.

Stratification in a Sinful World

Genesis 4:6    Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” 

Genesis 4:17-25

Humans are spreading on Earth

Cain lay with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.  18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech. 

Polygamy Marriage

Marriage is an Institution and Polygamy is Present

Genesis 4:19     Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.  

Tent Dwellers Group

Genesis 4:20    Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.  

Entertainer Group

21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.  

The Industrial Group

22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. 

The Fashion Group

Tubal-cain’s sister was Naamah.   Naamah means “beautiful”.

God’s People and Social Change

Gen. 4:25-26    Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”  26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD. 

Social Status

Social Status is the position or rank of a person or group, within the society.

 

Status can be determined in two ways. One can earn their social status by their own achievements, which is known as achieved status. Alternatively, one can be placed in the stratification system by their inherited position, which is called ascribed status. (Wikipedia)

Social Status

The members of a social group interact mainly within their own group and to a lesser degree with those of higher or lower status in a recognized system of social stratification. Such ties between people are often fluid and amorphous. Some of the more common bases for such ranking include: 

Stratified Groups

Wealth/Income (most common): Ties between persons with the same personal income

Gender: Ties between persons of the same sex and sexuality

Political status: Ties between persons of the same political views/status

Religion: Ties between persons of the same religion

Race/Ethnicity: Ties between persons of the same ethnic/racial group

Social class: Ties between persons born into the same economic group

Coolness: Ties between persons who have similar levels of popularity

Max Weber

The German sociologist Max Weber developed a theory proposing that stratification is based on three factors that have become known as "the three p's of stratification": property, prestige and power. He claimed that social stratification is a result of the interaction of wealth (class), prestige status (or in German Stand) and power (party).

Property

Property refers to one's material possessions and their life chances. If someone has control of property, that person has power over others and can use the property to his or her own benefit.

Prestige

Prestige is also a significant factor in determining one's place in the stratification system. The ownership of property is not always going to assure power, but there are frequently people with prestige and little property.

Power

Power is the ability to do what one wants, regardless of the will of others. (Domination, a closely related concept, is the power to make others' behavior conform to one's commands). This refers to two different types of power, which are possession of power and exercising power. For example, some people in charge of the government have an immense amount of power, and yet they do not make much money.

Hierarchical Systems of Power

Class Power: This refers to unequal access to resources. If you have access to something that someone else needs, that can make you more powerful than the person in need. The person with the resource thus has bargaining power over the other.

Social Status (Social Power): If you view someone as a social superior, that person will have power over you because you believe that person has a higher status than you do.

Political Power: Political power can influence the hierarchical system of power because those that can influence what laws are passed and how they are applied can exercise power over others.

The Bible and Class Stratification

James 1:10    But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 

Romans 2:11   For God does not show favoritism.

Ex. 23:3    and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.