Social Stratification: Caste, Class, Gender and Social Mobility Questions

Question 1

Define social stratification.

Accepted Answer

Social stratification is the division of society into different layers (strata) based on unequal access to resources, power and prestige.

Question 2

What is caste?

Accepted Answer

Caste is a hereditary social group into which a person is born and which traditionally determines social status and social relations.

Question 3

Define social class.

Accepted Answer

Social class is a group of people who share similar economic position, occupation and lifestyle.

Question 4

What is social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility means movement of an individual or group from one social status or class position to another.

Question 5

State one type of social mobility.

Accepted Answer

Vertical mobility (any one: horizontal, intergenerational, intragenerational).

Question 6

Explain any three features of social stratification.

Accepted Answer

Social stratification has the following features:

1) Ranking: people are arranged into higher and lower strata.
2) Inequality: there is unequal distribution of wealth, power and prestige.
3) Social distance: different strata have different lifestyle and status, creating distance between groups.

(Any three features can be written.)

Question 7

Differentiate between caste and class (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Caste and class differ as follows:

1) Caste is based on birth (ascribed status), whereas class is mainly based on economic position and occupation.
2) Caste system is traditionally closed with limited mobility, whereas class system is comparatively open with more mobility.
3) Caste involves strict endogamy and social restrictions, whereas class has fewer marriage restrictions and is more flexible.

(Any three differences can be written.)

Question 8

Explain vertical and horizontal mobility with examples.

Accepted Answer

Vertical mobility means movement up or down in social status. Example: a clerk becomes a manager (upward), or a person loses a good job and takes a lower job (downward).

Horizontal mobility means movement within the same social level without major change in status. Example: a teacher changes from one school to another with similar status, or a worker shifts to another similar job.

Thus, vertical mobility changes status level, while horizontal mobility changes position within the same level.

Question 9

Write a short note on gender stratification (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Gender stratification refers to inequality in status and opportunities based on gender.

1) In many societies, women face unequal access to education, employment and decision making.
2) There is unequal division of household work and care responsibilities.
3) Wage gap and discrimination in workplaces can reduce opportunities.

(Any three points can be written.)

Question 10

Explain social stratification and its bases (caste, class and gender).

Accepted Answer

Social stratification refers to the division of society into different layers based on inequality. In every society, people do not enjoy the same opportunities and rewards. Some groups have more wealth, power and prestige, while others have less. This creates social ranking and social distance.

Social stratification is based on different factors. One important base in India is caste. Caste is a birth-based group and traditionally fixed a person’s status, marriage rules and often occupation. Because caste is ascribed by birth, mobility is limited, so it acts as a closed system of stratification.

Another base is class. Class is mainly based on economic position such as income, property, occupation and education. Class system is comparatively open because individuals can improve their position through education, skills and better jobs.

Gender is also a major base of stratification. Gender stratification refers to unequal power and opportunities given to men and women. In many cases women face discrimination in education, employment, wages and decision making. Traditional gender roles can restrict opportunities and create inequality.

Thus, caste, class and gender create different forms of stratification and influence a person’s life chances such as education, occupation, income and social status.

Question 11

Explain caste system and its main characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Caste system is a traditional form of social stratification in India. Caste is a hereditary social group into which a person is born, and it traditionally determined social status and social relations.

The main characteristics of caste system are as follows. Firstly, caste membership is by birth. A person becomes a member of a caste through birth and cannot easily change it.

Secondly, caste follows endogamy. Marriage is generally restricted within the caste, and inter-caste marriage was traditionally discouraged.

Thirdly, caste system is hierarchical. Some castes were considered higher and some lower, leading to inequality and social distance.

Fourthly, caste had traditional rules about food, social relations and sometimes untouchability. Such restrictions created discrimination and denied equal dignity.

Fifthly, caste was linked with hereditary occupation in traditional society. Certain occupations were associated with particular castes.

Although modernization, education and laws have reduced many traditional restrictions, caste influence continues in some form. Thus, caste system is an important topic to understand Indian society and social inequality.

Question 12

Explain social mobility and its types with examples.

Accepted Answer

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups from one social status or class position to another. Mobility shows how flexible a society is. In a modern society, education and economic development usually increase mobility.

There are different types of social mobility. Vertical mobility means upward or downward movement in status. For example, a worker getting promoted to supervisor is upward mobility, while losing a high-status job and taking a lower job is downward mobility.

Horizontal mobility means movement within the same status level without major change in rank. For example, a teacher shifting from one school to another similar job is horizontal mobility.

Intergenerational mobility refers to change across generations. For example, a father is a daily wage laborer but his child becomes an engineer due to education.

Intragenerational mobility refers to change within a person’s lifetime. For example, a person starts as a clerk and later becomes a manager.

Thus, social mobility explains how people move in society and how education, skills and opportunities can change life chances.

Question 13

What is endogamy?

Accepted Answer

Endogamy means marriage within one’s own caste or social group.

Question 14

Differentiate between intergenerational and intragenerational mobility (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational and intragenerational mobility differ as follows:

1) Intergenerational mobility refers to change in status across generations (parents to children), whereas intragenerational mobility refers to change within a person’s own lifetime.
2) Intergenerational mobility is seen when a child achieves a different status than parents, whereas intragenerational mobility is seen through promotions or status changes during career.
3) Example of intergenerational mobility: father is a laborer and son becomes an engineer; example of intragenerational mobility: a person starts as a clerk and becomes a manager.

(Any three points can be written.)

Question 15

Write any three factors that promote social mobility.

Accepted Answer

Factors that promote social mobility include:

1) Education and skill development.
2) Industrialization and economic growth creating new jobs.
3) Urbanization and migration which provide new opportunities.

(Any three factors can be written.)

Social Stratification: Caste, Class, Gender and Social Mobility

8 more questions to unlock