Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

Life-styles reflect the specialty in preferences, tastes and values of a class.

Submissive, dependent, timid are traditional notion of feminine traits.

There is a close reciprocal relationship between social class and education.

An open class system is one in which vertical social mobility is possible.

Intergenerational mobility may be upward or downward.

Gender refers to the social aspects of differences between male and female.

Gender stratification refers to unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege between the two sexes.

Prestige refers to the respect and admiration with which an occupation is regarded by society.

(i) Vertical

(ii) Intergenerational

(iii) Intragenerational

1. Horizontal Mobility : It refers to change of residence or job without status change. Under this type of social mobility, a person changes one’s occupation but the overall social standing remains the same. Certain occupation like doctor, engineer and teacher may enjoy the same status but when an engineer changes one’s occupation from engineer to teaching engineering there is a horizontal shift from one occupational category to another but no change has taken place in the system of social stratification.

2. Vertical Mobility : Vertical mobility refers to any change in the occupational, economic, political status of an individual or a group which leads to change of their position. Vertical Mobility stands for change of social position, either upward or downward.

3. Intergenerational Mobility : This type of mobility means that one generation changes its social status in contrast to the previous generation. However, this mobility may be upward or downward. For e.g., people of lower caste or class may provide facilities to their children to get higher education, training and skills, with the help of which the younger generation may get employment in higher position.

4. Intragenerational Mobility : This type of mobility takes place in the lifespan of one generation. A person may start one’s career as a clerk and after acquiring more education, becomes an IFS Officer. Here the individual moves up and occupies a higher social position than previously.

Dr. G.S. Ghurye a well known Sociologist and Indologist defines caste in terms of its essential characteristics. They are as follows: 

1.Segmental division by society : Society is divided into various castes. The membership of castes are determined by birth. Therefore, mobility from one caste to another is impossible.

2. Hierarchy: Castes or segments are arranged in terms of hierarchy. According to Dr. Ghurye, castes are graded and arranged into a hierarchy on the basis of the concept of ‘purity and pollution’.

3. Restriction on feeding and social intercourse : This fact of separation is reinforced by the notion of ‘purity and pollution’. Each caste imposes restrictions on its members with regard to food and social intercourse. 

4. Differential civil and religious privileges and disabilities : In a caste society there is an unequal distribution of privileges and disabilities among its members. The higher castes enjoy all privileges and lower caste suffer from all kinds of disabilities. 

5. Lack of unrestricted choice of occupation : Choice of occupation is not free under caste system. Occupations are hereditary and the members of the caste are expected to follow their traditional occupation. 

6. Endogamy : Endogamy is the essence of caste system. Every caste of sub-caste insists that its member should marry within the group.

A social class is an aggregate of people who have same status, rank etc.

The class system in modern industrial society is an example of open stratification.

Class as a form of social stratification: A social class is made up of people of similar social status who regard one another as social equals.

Each class has a set of values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviour norms which differ from those of the other classes. A social class is essentially a status group which is achieved. Class is almost a universal phenomenon. Each social class has its own status in the society. Status is associated with prestige. A social class is relatively a stable group. Social class represent an open social system. An open class system in one in which vertical social mobility is possible.

Example : Within this system, individuals can move from one class to another through hard work, education and skills. Ownership of wealth and occupation are the chief criteria of class differences but education, hereditary, prestige, group participation, self identification and recognition by others, also play an important role in class distinction.

Gender as a form of social stratification: Gender stratification refers to social ranking, where men typically inhabit higher statuses than women. A common general definition of gender stratification refers to the unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege between the two sexes. Throughout the world, most societies allocate fewer resources to women than men. Almost all societies are characterized by sexism. Sexism is the belief that one sex is superior than the other. Although, societies have been believing in the superiority of men over women and therefore have been dominating women. This male dominance is supported further by patriarchy. The process of socialization is gendered and creates gender hierarchy. 

Example : Boys are given toy cars or lego sets or bat and ball to play whereas girls are given household sets, medical sets, dolls, etc.

1. Vertical mobility refers to any change in the occupational economic or political status of an individual or a group which leads to change of their position. 

2. Vertical mobility stands for change of social position either upward or downward, which can be labelled as ascending or descending type of mobility.

Example : A person who works as a customer assistant, works hard and starts his own business successfully. In such a position there is a clear change in the position of the individual.

This statement is False. 

1. In most countries throughout the world, societies allocate fewer resources to women than to men. 

2. Almost all societies are characterized by sexism. Sexism is the belief that one sex is superior that the other. 

3. All through, societies have been believing in the superiority of men over women and therefore have been dominating women which is further supported by patriarchy.

This statement is True. 

1. Occupation is an important aspect of social class and it is another determinant of class status. 

2. It is a well-known fact that some kinds of work are more honourable than others, e.g., doctors, engineers, professors and lawyers hold a higher position than people who are in labour-intensive professions. 

3. Occupation is also one of the best clues to one’s way of life, and therefore to one’s social class membership.

1. Wealth and Income: Possession of substantial amounts of wealth is the main characteristics distinguishing the upper class from the other class groups in society. Persons having more wealth and income generally have higher social position and respect in society.

2. Occupation : Occupation is an exceedingly important aspect of social class. It is another determinant of class status. It is a well known fact that some kinds of work are more honourable than others, e.g., doctors, engineers, administrators, professors and lawyers hold a higher position than people who are in labour-intensive professions.

3. Education : There is a close reciprocal relationship between social class and education. Higher education gives opportunities for upward mobility. Thus education, is one of the main levers of social class.

4.  Prestige : It refers to the respect and administration with which an occupation is regarded by society. Besides wealth, occupation and education, there are certain other criteria which help a person to gain prestige and subsequent higher social status in the society, e.g., family background, kinship, place of residence, etc.

1. Sex refers to the biological distinction between females and males. 

2. In contrast the term gender refers to the social aspects of differences and hierarchies between male and female. 

3. Sex may be male or female whereas gender refers to the social meaning of masculinity and femininity. Gender determines how one should behave in society. 

Example : Men are supposed to behave in a masculine manner and certain attributes are assigned to men such as courage, bravery, physical strength. On the other hand, women are assigned with attributes like nurturance, care, love, sacrifice which help them to behave in a feminine manner.

1. It refers to the respect and admiration with which an occupation is regarded by society. 

2. Prestige is independent of the particular person who occupies a job. 

3. Sociologists have tried to assign prestige rankings to various occupations. 

4. Besides wealth, occupation and education, there are certain other criteria which help a person to gain prestige and subsequent higher social status in the society. Example : Family background, kinship, place of residence, etc.

Social stratification is of two types – Closed stratification and Open stratification.

1. Closed stratification is one in which individuals or groups do not enjoy the freedom of changing their social strata. The individual who gets a social strata by birth can never change it in one’s lifetime. In this type of social stratification there is no scope for social mobility. Example – The Varna system and the caste system in India are examples of closed stratification. 

2. Open stratification is one in which individuals or groups enjoy the freedom of changing their social strata, i.e., in this type of social stratification there is scope for social mobility. Example – The class system in modern industrial society is an example of open stratification, The criteria of open stratification are power, property, intelligence, skills, etc.

This statement is False. 

1. Gender and sex are not interchangeable terms. Sex refers to the biological distinction between males and males. 

2. In contrast, the term gender refers to the social aspects of differences and hierarchies between male and female. Gender is result of socialization and a social construct.

3. Sex may be male or female whereas gender refers to the social meaning of masculinity and femininity. It determines how one should behave in society.

The Practice of untouchability is prohibited by 17th article.

Minority Communities are allowed to establish educational institutions under article 30th of the constitution.