Question

It is evident that societies are stratified. What is the approach (description) of each sociological perspective (theoretical paradigms) toward social stratification?

Answer 1

Social stratification can be explained in terms of three major sociological paradigms:

1. The functionalism perspective holds that social stratification is desirable and necessary in order to ensure that individuals with a specific set of knowledge and skills carry out the appropriate occupation.
2. The conflict perspective opposes social stratification as it views stratification as a result of discrimination, prejudice and oppression of minority groups.
3. The symbolic interactionism perspective studies how people’s beliefs, perceptions and interactions with each other lead to the social construction of stratification.