Final answer:
Social stratification is viewed differently across various sociological perspectives. It's seen as functional by some, ensuring that necessary roles are filled with motivated individuals, while others criticize it for reinforcing inequality and overlooking the importance of undervalued jobs. It affects everyday interactions and one's standard of living, within the context of a societal system that influences a person's social class.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether social stratification is viewed as a problem is subjective and can depend on one's sociological perspective. From a functionalist standpoint, stratification has practical purposes in society, providing incentives and rewards for skilled and educated individuals. However, conflict theorists argue that it promotes inequality by offering different levels of opportunity and success for the rich and their often lower paid workers.
The Davis-Moore thesis argues that social stratification has essential functions in society. It posits that the most difficult jobs in any society are the most necessary and require the highest rewards and incentives to motivate individuals to fill these roles. Critics of the thesis point out that this system often overlooks the value of unrecognized but essential workers.
Through the symbolic interactionist lens, stratification affects daily interactions by influencing the way individuals perceive each other and make assumptions based on social class. For instance, the style of clothing one wears or the manner of speech one uses can be indicators of class, which then affect how others interact with them
In the context of rising and falling within social classes, aspects such as family wealth, employment, and overall income can influence one's standard of living and the potential to move up the social ladder. However, these factors are part of a broader societal system that also affects a person's social standing.
Finally, global stratification is the comparison of countries' wealth, status, power, and stability. It unveils a global landscape where financial disparities and economic inequalities prevail among nations, highlighting not only personal but also international inequalities.