Understanding how the different people in society are ranked in terms of wealth and other social issues can be a significant way of solving societal problems. Socioeconomic factors such as wealth, income, education, gender, and ethnicity, among others are used in describing a person’s position in society. Kendall (2013, p. 2018), states “social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources.” Although stratification can help motivate individuals in different strata, it can be a cause of discrimination.
Social stratification is manifested in various scenarios in the American community. Grouping individuals based on ethnic backgrounds is an example of social stratification in a community. For instance, the U.S has Whites and African Americans who have diverse cultural heritages. While the Whites may feel privileged, the African Americans may feel discriminated against due to the different perspectives of society. Consequently, there can be an increased hatred between the two races. Social stratification should be regarded in a manner that promotes unity. Various sociological perspectives explain the causes of social inequality, race, and ethnic relations in the U.S.
Interactionism is a sociological perspective that focuses on routine interactions between different community members on a social development basis. The perspective describes race and ethnicity as strong symbols of identity. Individuals will tend to identify others based on their race and identity during their interactions. Consequently, the use of race and ethnic-insensitive languages is common. Identifying individuals based on their ethnic background can lead to social inequality. For instance, African Americans are discriminated against for their ethnicity and are limited to access to some resources. Understanding the sociological perspectives of social inequality, ethnicity, and race is important since it helps avoid discriminative situations. Instead, much emphasis is put on the significance of diversity in society. Formulation of policies that promote cultural diversity and social equality can help avoid ethnicity and racism.
Reference
Kendall, D. E. (2013). Sociology in Our Times. Wadsworth Publishing.