Stratification is universal but variable because it shows up in every society in the world, but how

exactly it looks like, how it divides and categorizes people, and what the advantages or
disadvantages are that come with that division - vary from society to society. 2. Not a matter of
individual differences. People are obviously different from each other, so we might assume that
stratification is just a kind of natural outcome of differences, but in reality, it is not. We know we
can see the effects of social stratification on people regardless of their personal choices or traits.
For example, children of wealthy families are more likely to live longer and be healthier, to
attend college, and to excel in school as compared to children born into poverty. Moreover, they
are more likely to be wealthy themselves when they grow up. 3. Persists across generations.
Stratification serves to categorize and rank members of society across generations, resulting in
different life chances. Yet generally, society allows some degree of social mobility, or changes in
the position within the social hierarchy. People sometimes move upward or downward in social
class, which is the basic concept of social mobility. 4. A social beliefs. A society’s cultural
beliefs tell us how to categorize people, and they define inequalities of a stratification system as
being normal, or even fair. If people don’t believe that the system is right, it won’t last. Beliefs
are what make systems of social stratification work and it is through these beliefs about social
stratification that inform what it means to deserve wealth, success, or power. FORMS OF
STRATIFICATION SYSTEMS 1. CLOSE SYSTEM OF STRATIFICATION India’s Caste
System is probably one of the best-known forms of close system of stratification. While it is a
social system of decreasing importance, it still holds in parts of rural India, and has a strong
legacy across the country. The traditional caste system contains four large divisions called
Varnas. It consists of Brahmin, or priests and academics in their native language, as placed at the
top of the hierarchy; followed by Khsatriya or the rulers (kings), warriors, and administrators;
then Vaishya or merchants and landowners; and last is the Shudra or the commoners, peasants
and servants.

Figure 3. Ancient India’s Caste System

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The system required endogamy - marriage within your own caste category. In everyday life, the
caste system determines whom one could interact with, and how, with systems of social control,
contact between lower and higher castes is restricted. This whole system is based on a set of
strong cultural and religious beliefs that living within your own category is a moral and spiritual
duty - the reason why gods are on the top of the pyramid because caste system is governed by
religious beliefs of Hinduism. 2. OPEN SYSTEM OF STRATIFICATION Class System is one
of the best examples of open system of stratification and is not based solely on ascribed status at
birth alone. Instead, it combines ascribed status and personal achievement or achieved status in a
way that allows some social mobility. Statuses are not the same. We get different statuses in
different ways and chances. Some are ascribed statuses, which are assigned or given by the
society or group based on some fixed category, without regard to a person’s abilities or
performance. Examples of ascribed status are sex, family background, race, and ethnic heritage
or wealth. A person did nothing to earn these statuses, nor has control over these characteristics
and had no opportunity or chance to choose family, sex, and race. On the other hand, achieved
statuses are earned by the individual. The following scenarios serve as examples. A poor
teenager becomes an actress-singer after winning in a television contest. A college graduate
lands a good job because the quality of his or her performance satisfied his or her employer.
With achieved statuses, one establishes which statuses he or she wants. Frequently, a person
struggles and exerts more effort on others to get hold of them. Class is the system of stratification
we have in Philippine society. The main difference between caste and class systems is that class
systems are open, and social mobility is not legally restricted to certain people. It is possible that
through hard work and perseverance, a citizen can move up the social hierarchy, and achieve a
higher-class standing. Instead of ancestry, lineage, or race being the key to social division, the
Philippine system of stratification has elements of meritocracy: a system in which social mobility
is based on personal merit and individual talents. Every Filipino’s dream is that anyone, no
matter how poor, can “pull himself/herself up” and become upwardly class mobile through hard
work and perseverance. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
1. FUNCTIONALISM. At the beginning, we may think of social stratification as merely only
creating social inequality among groups of people. In some aspects of social life, it is true. But
social inequality brought by social stratification base from wealth, prestige, and power of social
groups, is indeed functional in the society according to Functionalist Theory. Every social class
has its purpose or role to play a part in the society. We can’t expect the owner of a certain
business empire to do a construction works; but instead, he will hire someone to do it for
himself. The upper class, although they are getting richer because they have the capacity to
exploit natural and man-made resources simply because they have the money. Their role in the
society could create job opportunities for other social classes below them. In fact, there are jobs
not requiring a college degree. In this sense, those who are not able to finish their studies can still

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be hired. Those with college degree can be employed with a higher paid salary and good position
in a company. 2. CONFLICT THEORY. This sociological perspective is the opposite of the
latter. Karl Marx viewed social stratification as creation of inequality between the rich and the
poor, or the powerful versus the powerless. Let’s say for example: The bourgeois capitalists
owning high-producing businesses or factories and hire people who work for them. They can
enjoy the luxury of life because they earn billions of money. However, proletariats are the
working class earned skimpy wages and experiencing isolation to the society. The very essence
of life is to enjoy it with loved ones. However, working class did not experience this joy because
they are isolated to do the labor for long hours each day to earn money at the end of the month.
Marx argued that proletariats were oppressed by the money-hungry bourgeois. 3. SYMBOLIC
INTERACTIONISM. Symbolic interactionism view social stratification on a micro level where
individuals affect others whom they have interacted because of their social class status. In most
societies, people can only interact only to those with the same social class status. For an instance,
it is rare for a royal prince or princess to marry a commoner because the commoner don’t have
the same class status as to royal prince or princess. But now, there are royal marriages already
break this tradition.

What’s More CASTE SYSTEM VERSUS CLASS SYSTEM INSTRUCTION. The caste system
in ancient India and the class system in the modern-day Philippines both created an unequal
balance of power in their respective society. Specific qualities or traits separate people into
groups, which results in certain groups having more power than others. However, there are some
major differences between the caste system and class system. Identify three (3) major differences
and similarities between the caste system in ancient India and the class system in modern-day
Philippine society. Fill in these differences and similarities in the Venn diagram below.
Afterwards, explain on the space provided these differences and similarities in order to fully
understand stratification system.

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1. _______________ 2. _______________

1. ________ 2. ________ 3. ________

3. _______________

1. _______________ _ 2. _______________ _ 3. _______________ _

CASTE SYSTEM: Your explanation: 1.______________________

________________________ ________________________ ________________________
________________________ 2.______________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________ ________________________
3.______________________ ________________________ ________________________
________________________

SIMILARITIES Your explanation: 1._____________________ _______________________

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
2._____________________ ______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ 3.______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

CLASS SYSTEM: Your explanation: 1.___________________ _____________________

_____________________ _____________________ 2.___________________
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
_____________________ _____________________ 3.___________________
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________

What I Have Learned PROFILE PICTURE

Did you know that a fairy tale happy ending can happen in real life too? This fairy tale story of
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle started when they got married on May 19, 2018 at St. George's
Chapel on Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom.

15

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is the youngest son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana,
Princess of Wales, and is sixth in the line of succession to the British throne. Before marrying the
love of her life, Meghan Markle meanwhile was a freelance calligrapher and taught bookbinding
to support herself apart from her acting jobs back then. She also took on several contract acting
and modeling jobs, including a stint as a "briefcase girl" in the US game show Deal or No Deal.
INSTRUCTION: Answer each question by completing the sentences. QUESTION 1. As
individuals before they got married, who do you think belongs to the upper class, middle class or
lower class? Explain. I think Prince Harry’s social class belongs to ___________________ while
Meghan Markle’s before marrying Prince Harry, her social class belongs to ________because
__________________________________. QUESTION 2. Do you think Prince Harry’s social
status is considered as ascribed status or achieved status? Why do you say so? I think Prince
Harry’s social status is called ________________ because
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 3. What form of stratification systems do you think these two personalities belong
to, caste system or class system? Why do you say so? I think in contemporary days they both
belong to ___________________ because ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do MY JOURNEY TO SOCIAL MOBILITY REGARDLESS OF SOCIAL CLASS

I BELONG TO INSTRUCTION. Making it as your own motivation to reach dreams and goals in
life, set out the journey in the social class by relating your personal answers in the conditions set
in each station. Write down your responses on the space provided. The Starting Point asks you to
write your social class whether you belong to upper, middle, or lower class based on the factors
such as power, wealth and prestige. There is nothing to be ashamed of being honest here. The
First Station is for you to identify your dream profession that you wanted to be in the future. The
Second Station is for you to state the reason whether your family can or cannot afford to support
your dream profession. The Third Station is for you to write what are the other obstacles you
may think you will encounter in achieving your dream profession.

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The Fourth Station is for you to write other ways to help yourself in supporting your finances as
you achieve your dream profession. The Milestone Station is where you finally achieve your
dream profession. On the box provided write your own motto in life that is connected in
achieving your goals or dreams in life.

Assessment Multiple Choice. Read each items carefully and shade the circle that corresponds to
the correct answer. 1. Which of the following is not considered as a social class? a. Castaways b.
Lower class c. Middle class d. Lower class 2. What important factor is highlighted in class
system for some social mobility? a. Race b. Meritocracy c. Power d. Wealth

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3. Which of the following groups belong to the lower class during the Philippine pre-colonial
social stratification? a. The Maharlika b. The Alipin c. The Timawa d. The Maginoo 4. Which of
the following groups belong to the upper class during the Philippine pre-colonial social
stratification? a. The Maharlika b. The Alipin c. The Timawa d. The Maginoo 5. Which of the
following choices best define the concept of social stratification? a. It refers to people living in
immense poverty b. It refers to people in elite category c. It refers to grouping of social classes
base on the factors such as power, wealth, and prestige d. It is the study of indigenous people 6.
Which of these choices gives a broader differentiation between upper class and lower class? a.
The upper class are those who have fancy cars while the lower class are those who are less
fortunate individuals. b. The upper class are those elite group of people while the lower class are
those underprivileged who struggled to make ends meet on a daily basis. c. The lower class are
those who seek financial help and support from the government while the upper class are those
business owners. d. The lower class are those with nothing to invest from while the upper class
are those who can travel the world without worrying for financial stability. 7. Which type of
status is earned by an individual? a. Single status b. Ascribed status c. Achieved status d. In a
relationship status 8. Why is social stratification be considered as universal but variable? a.
Everyone is entitled to be part of a social class. b. A man, in any chances, can change his/her
own social class. c. Social stratification is based on the factors of power, wealth, and prestige. d.
It shows up in every society in the world but how exactly it looks like vary from society to
society. 9. Which of the following describes the upper class? a. A person who can afford to buy
clothes and shoes. b. A person who do not have enough money to make ends meet. c. A person
who owned businesses, is an investor. d. A person who can buy a lot of foods and drinks for his
family.

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10. In class system, is social mobility possible? a. Yes, because class system has element of
meritocracy based on personal achievements and talents of a person. b. No, because a man, in
any chances, can’t change his or her own social class. c. No, because of social control restriction
based on a set of strong cultural and religious beliefs. d. No, because class system has no element
of meritocracy resulting in an immense social inequality. 11. Why could social stratification be
considered as a form of social belief? a. Beliefs are universal in every society in the world. b.
Everyone believes that he or she belongs to a social class. c. Beliefs about social stratification
that inform people what it means to deserve wealth, success or power. d. It continues from
generation to generation in every society. 12. Does social stratification persist across
generations? a. No, because everyone believes he or she belongs to a social class already b. Yes,
stratification serves to categorize and rank members of society. across generations resulting in
different life chances. c. Yes, because it shows up in every society in the world but how exactly
it looks like vary from society to society. d. No, it does not affect any generation in any parts of
the world. 13. How do you describe a caste system? a. It is an open system of stratification
requiring the element of meritocracy for social mobility. b. It is a close system of stratification in
which an individual is restricted to his or her social class only. c. It is an open system of
stratification with a combination of achieved and ascribed status. d. Caste system is universal in
every society in the world. 14. In caste system, is social mobility possible? a. Yes, because caste
system has element of meritocracy that is based on personal achievements and talents of a
person. b. Yes, because a man, in any chances, can change his or her own social class. c. No,
because of social control restriction based on a set of strong cultural and religious beliefs. d. Yes,
because anyone can achieve greatness as long as he or she works hard for it. 15. How does social
stratification started in the society? a. As societies evolved and became more complex, it began
to elevate some members of the society through land acquisition and gaining social status. b. It
started when people think that they can afford to invest into material things. c. It started when a
person can buy a lot of foods and drinks for his family. d. The elements of meritocracy that is
based on personal merit and achievement of a person.

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Additional Activities THE PHILIPPINE PRE-COLONIAL SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Over

the course of this lesson, you have informed about the concept, characteristics, and forms of
stratification systems. Did you know that before the Philippines were colonized by the Spaniards,
Americans, and Japanese, the Philippine pre-colonial society was already establishing social
stratification through factors such as wealth, power, rights, privileges, entitlement and
achievements? Meet these groups of people one by one once again by reading the given
description. Afterwards, answer the activity below. The TIMAWA. They were the majority of
the barangay community. They were free. They could acquire property, have any job they
wanted, pick their own wives, and acquire an alipin. They were expected to support the datu and
pay their taxes; hence, their importance in the community was evident. The MAGINOO. They
were the ruling class, the educated class, the royal class, and the privileged class. It was from this
class which the datu came from. The datu was the head of the community called a barangay. He
is synonymous to a monarch, rajah, sultan, and king to other countries. The ALIPIN. They had
the least rights. They served their master who belonged to one of the classes that is above them.
The Alipin was likely his or her servant at home such as doing the household chores and
cooking, or aided the timawa with their duties at work. The MAHARLIKA. They were well
respected if not revered by the barangay. Unlike the timawa, they were not expected to pay taxes.
They would provide protection to the barangay and were responsible for providing and preparing
the weapons at their own expense. ACTIVITY INSTRUCTION. Using the names of the groups
of people mentioned earlier, arrange them using a pyramid of social stratification through these
factors such as wealth, power, rights, privileges, entitlement, and achievements in the society.
Beside each social class, draw a symbol that represents them.

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Answer Key

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References Books: Cordero-MacDonald, Felicidad V., Adelisa A. Raymundo, and Isabel S.

Panopio. General Sociology: Focus on the Philippines. Quezon City: Ken,Inc.,1995. Baleña,
Ederlina D., Dolores M. Lucero, and Arnel M. Peralta. Understanding Culture, Society and
Politics for Senior High School. Quezon City: Educational Resource Corporation, 2016. Gerry
M. Lanuza and Sarah S. Raymundo. Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Recto,
Manila: REX Book Store, 2016

Websites: Morrow, Paul. Maharlika and the Ancient Class System, January 16, 2009,
http://www.pilipino-express.com/history-a-culture/in-otherwords/251-maharlika-and-the-
ancient-class-system.html Moffitt, Kimberly. Social Stratification: Definition, Theories &
Examples. Study.com. January 25, 2015. https://study.com/academy/lesson/social-stratification-
definitiontheories-examples.html.
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