Social stratification

Social stratification is the way society is structured into layers or strata based on factors like wealth, income, occupation, education, and social status. In the UK, this is often discussed in terms of social class, but also includes inequalities related to gender, ethnicity, and age. Understanding stratification is crucial because it shapes people's life chances—their access to resources like healthcare, education, and housing—and influences social mobility, or the ability to move between strata.

This topic is central to AQA GCSE Sociology as it links to key themes of power, inequality, and social justice. You'll explore different theoretical perspectives: functionalists argue stratification is necessary for society to function, while Marxists see it as a result of class conflict, and feminists highlight gender-based inequalities. You'll also study empirical evidence, such as the Great British Class Survey, and evaluate how factors like meritocracy and the welfare state affect inequality.

Mastering social stratification helps you understand real-world issues like poverty, privilege, and discrimination. It also connects to other topics in the course, such as crime and deviance (where inequality can lead to crime) and the family (where class affects parenting styles). By the end, you should be able to critically assess whether the UK is a meritocracy and evaluate policies aimed at reducing inequality.