Social Stratification and Caste
Social stratification and Caste:
Caste is a permanent group having its status ascribed at birth. It cannot be changed.
Caste is a system of stratification, in which mobility up and down and the status ladder, at least ideally does not occur. A.W. Green.
Caste is a closed social group.
Characteristics of caste:
- Caste is hierarchical division
- Closed group
- Sub culture: every caste has its own norms which can be different from others. E.g.: marriage norms / issues of out of caste marriages.
- Social contrl: every caste has its own informal methods of social control.
Merits of caste system:
- Biradri system.
- Social solidarity
- Norms are forceful and offer social control
- Castes are endogamous… means they marry within caste.
Demerits of caste system:
- Ethnocentrism among the members of one caste
- Norms of castes are rigid in nature
- New elements of changes are rejected
- Marriage out of caste is rejectedÂ
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Difference between caste and class system in Pakistan:
Class | Caste |
·        Class is flexible
·        Class can change ·        Class does not form biradri ·        Class can be exogamous ·        There is less ethnocentrism in class ·        Feeling of association is less strong in classes ·        There is less solidarity in classes ·        Class favours social change ·        Classes do not have norms |
·        Caste is rigid ·        Caste cannot change ·        Castes form biradri system ·        Castes are endogamous ·        Caste is ethnocentric ·        Feelings of association are stronger in castes ·        There is more solidarity in castes ·        Castes reject social change ·        Castes have their own norms |