Education and Social Stratification

A Reflection Paper

“All is always attainable if the people of a certain community are there to help each other, not
leveraging their positions or possessions for personal gain.”

As people in society, we all know the meaning of education and its impact on our lives.
We acknowledge it as well as its very essence: learning. We are all life’s learners and life-
learners; young and old who seek knowledge and discernment in our everyday lives. However,
the discussion is mostly centered on social stratification or the grouping of people into groups
based on common socioeconomic circumstances. It is a social hierarchy in economics that
determines the social benefits for individuals in the positions. Social stratification is a term in
sociology that refers to the grouping of people into groups based on common low socio-
economic status. In addition, it also explains how people in a community are categorized, and
when it comes to the distribution of resources, there is an uneven occurrence. As I understood,
there is always an incongruity between people’s social rankings because of several factors, such
as wealth, income, and education. There is always an inequality and disparity between rich and
poor; that is, the concept of social stratification. There are four fundamental principles of social
stratification: (1) social stratification is a societal attribute rather than a reflection of individual
differences. (2) Social stratification is passed down from generation to generation; (3) social
stratification is universal but changeable; and (4) social stratification includes not just disparity,
but also beliefs.

Moving forward are theories on social stratification; the first one was coined by Karl
Marx called, ‘Conflict Theory,’ which he defined as the outcome of individuals competing for
finite rewards, and it continues in society because the "haves" are determined (exploiters) and
well-equipped to maintain their advantage by controlling and exploiting the "have nots"
(exploited). The conflict between classes for material privilege and power those who possess the
means of production (capitalists or bourgeoisie) and those who sell their labor (worker or
proletariat). If I am not mistaken, in this theory, he also believes that individuals are driven by
self-interest, particularly the domineering ones. As per Marx, they will do everything to keep
their dominance in society, while living behind the average earners or those who are in the labor
class. He firmly believes in the idea that most people in the higher class are self-motivated when
it comes to societal resources. As an example, the poor might be contented with what they have
in times of food shortage, while the rich will hoard all the groceries store just to maximize their
time and get what they need regardless of the consequences for the other consumers.

Next is the Functionalist Theory by Kingly Davis and Wilbert Moore, which emphasized
the notion that if all people are equally treated when it comes to education, occupation, and
societal standing, there would be no need for social stratification. And as far as I can tell, there is
no miracle as such since most people nowadays are driven by their own aspirations and
ambitions. It is a sad reality in our times, but we have to accept that the idea of Davis and Moore
will remain as what it is, a good idea. In the same manner, education and society are also
highlighted in social stratification, maybe because they are always part of it, or they are the
cornerstone of the community. Either way, equality in education has always been a huge part of
the social aspect, as it is also one of the keys to why an individual or a group of people is striving
and thriving toward success. As a result, an authority should (1) strive for educational equality;
(2) focus on different segments of society; (3) study the ideology, structure, and process of social
inequality; and (4) develop an equal system of education enriched with diverse course content to
meet the needs of various groups and sections.

Hence, whether we like it or not, the idea of equal education will give us satisfaction in
terms of equal learning despite social stratification. Despite the disparity in terms of treatment in
individuals or groups, thriving as a society is still feasible if the people in positions are just
capable of doing what they can to give an equal education to everyone. All is always attainable if
the people of a certain community are there to help each other, not leveraging their positions or
possessions for personal gain. We can combat social stratification and it all begins with
ourselves.