Final answer:
The term 'social stratification' refers to society's categorization of individuals into rankings based on factors such as wealth, education, and power, leading to different levels of privilege and social standing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ranking of people to status and privilege according to the kind of work they did or the family into which they were born is referred to as social stratification. This concept describes the way in which society categorizes individuals into rankings based on various factors, including wealth, income, education, family background, and power. In essence, social stratification is a socioeconomic system that assigns individuals to different social tiers or classes, with each tier providing a certain level of social standing, influence, and access to resources.
For example, in the United States and other high-income nations, social stratification and standards of living are influenced by occupation, which not only affects income but also bestows varying levels of societal respect and prestige. Certain professions, such as those in medicine, law, or engineering, are associated with high social status. On the other hand, positions like waitresses, janitors, and bus drivers may be assigned lower rankings within the hierarchy.
Stratification systems can be either closed, such as a caste system where social position is determined at birth, or open, like a class system where social mobility is possible through achievement. However, a pure meritocracy, a system where standing is based solely on personal worth and effort, has never fully existed.
Cultural beliefs and values also play a crucial role in reinforcing and shaping stratification systems, creating an overarching ideology that supports the ranking structure within a society. Overall, social stratification is a pervasive framework that defines how individuals and groups are valued and treated within a social context.