Caribbean Studies: Social Stratification



Definition Social stratification is the social arrangement of society based on criteria such as race, wealth and education.It is the sharp division of ranking of social groups within a society according to wealth, power, prestige, education, occupation, profession and religion.Social stratification is a well structured form of social inequality. Social groups are ranked in order of power, prestige and wealth of their members.Social stratification systems can be open or closed systems.Each socially demarcated group share similar lifestyles which to some degree will distinguish them from the members of other social strata. Social stratification during Slavery/Planation societyThe social stratification of the plantation/slavery era was very rigid and closed. The Africans/slaves were at the bottom because they were considered inferior and chattel. The whites were at the top because they held the political and economic power (had wealth due to plantations and they controlled the law making laws to their advantage) and were considered superior. They also developed other forms of exclusion for example colour stratification. Lighter coloured slaves were given less arduous jobs.419100946150Planters were smallest in population formed the plantocracy. They had the most influence in society.00Planters were smallest in population formed the plantocracy. They had the most influence in society. People could not move up the ranks due to class, colour and power. For example persons of mixed ancestry and light coloured skin by virtue of their light coloured skin (appearance) were rewarded lighter work as domestic slaves. Many were freed by their white fathers and even educated, giving them a better chance to improve their social status (see diagram below).-4953001047750Colour graduations led to variations in status. Coloured aligned themselves with the whites.00Colour graduations led to variations in status. Coloured aligned themselves with the whites.Stratification during colonialism and indenturshipThe process of Indentureship to a great extent compounded the stratification system in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana; between 1845 and 1917 (the indentureship) period, society was further divided along lines of race and fostered very little mobility. The society was race and colour stratified.There was a lot of rivalry between blacks and Indians and much hostility.Contemporary CaribbeanThe social stratification in the Contemporary Caribbean has become gradually less rigid and more opened. In contemporary Caribbean, Social Stratification system in the Caribbean is now an opened system. Social mobility is the movement of individuals or groups from one social group to another within the social stratification system. People can move up and down the system, mainly due to education. Social position is based on one’s own efforts.In the contemporary Caribbean one’s status can improve or decline e.g. now in the economic crisis as people lose their job their status could decrease.Short Answered QuestionsExplain the term Stratification.(2 marks)Explain two types of stratification systems. Stating clearly which type is most prevalent in the Caribbean and why(6 marks)State two criteria used to determine social stratification in the CaribbeanDescribe two (2) elements of the pattern of social stratification which affected the Caribbean during the period of slavery.(2 marks)List two (2) factors in the Caribbean society and culture today that influences social stratification.(2 marks)Explain TWO ways in which education influence social stratification.(4 marks) ................
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