SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND
SOCIAL MOBILITY IN THE
CARIBBEAN
Presenter Ms. N. Lewis
What is social Stratification?
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This refers to the ranking of social groups
according to one or more criteria deemed
important to society.
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The ranking indicates that some groups have
more and others have less of what society
values- for example, money, power and
prestige.
Types of stratification Systems
There are two types of stratification systems:
1. Closed system of stratification
2. Open system of stratification
Closed System of stratification
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A closed system is a rigid system with clearly
demarcated boundaries
Social statuses are strictly defined and determine
access to opportunities
Social position is ascribed at birth
There is no social mobility from level to the another.
An example of a closed system of stratification is the
caste system in India. People are born into a caste
and this determines one’s occupation, social
interaction, power and education. No amount of
achievement can change a persons caste.
Open System of social Stratification
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An open form of social stratification is based
primarily on economic criteria, particular income.
Social position is achieved through one’s efforts
The boundaries between classes are more flexible
than with the closed system.
There is opportunity for social mobility, as individuals
can move up or down the class system and therefore
their status can improve or decline.
The class system in modern industrial society is the
best example of an open stratification system.
Social stratification Under Slavery
Cont’d
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Whites were never apart of the lower class;
only white indentured servants stained their
class boundaries.
Persons of mixed ancestry and lighter colour
skin were the most fortunate by virtue of their
appearance.
Some were rewarded with lighter domestic
duties.
The coloured group acted as a buffer zone
upholding white values and thus did not want
Social Stratification Under Slavery
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The Plantation System was a closed system
of stratification based on the ascribed criteria
of race and colour.
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Race and colour was tied to one’s
occupation in society.
Social Stratification in the Caribbean
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The social structure of the caribbean has
been greatly influenced by colonialism and
slavery.
Ascriptive factors such as race, class and
colour determined the status and life
chances of Caribbean people.
Race Stratification- M.G. Smith
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Smith argued that most societies in the caribbean
are plural where there exist significant diversity and
race antagonism.
Smith argued that the different ethnic or cultural
groups in the Caribbean practiced distinctive forms
of the same institutions in society. For example, in
Trinidad the Hindus have a distinctive marriage
practice of “bamboo wedding.” Neither whites nor
blacks perform these social institutions along the
similar lines.
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For Smith societies such as Trinidad,
Guyana and Jamaica has a closed system of
stratification that ensured limited social
mobility.
Criticisms of Smith
The main criticisms of Smith are summarized below:
1.
Caribbean societies have evolved into class societies and not
cultural blocks as Smith’s model suggests.
2.
Many critics argue that education has been the main
equalizer in society
3.
The rise of the local intelligentsia comprises of member from
both African and Indian.
4.
The extent and degree of conflict that Smith articulated based
on culture and diversity is exaggerated. In fact, in many of the
Social Stratification in Trinidad and
Tobago- Lloyd Braithwaite
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He observed that the social structure in Trinidad was
founded on ascriptive- particularistic basis. It was
thus based on the positive evaluation of the white
groups in society and negative evaluation of the
black group.
The other groups- Chinese, Indians who enter
society sought to separate themselves from the
blacks as much as possible. Hence ethnic
identification and ethnic purity
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The ascriptive value system was manifested
in schools, churches, carnival and sporting
clubs.
Unlike Smith, Braithwaite believed that society
though racially stratified was a united whole,
with the values and norms of the whites being
adopted by the masses and regarded as
mainstream.
The assimilation of the Anglo-saxon value
system allowed for the functional prerequisites
SOCIAL MOBILITY
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This describes the process whereby social
groups or individuals move either up or down
the social strata.
Wealth, status and prestige came with
occupying the higher rungs of the social
ladder, but one had to have what it took to
earn wealth, status and prestige.
Being white or light skinned was enough to
gain entry into the highest ranking groups.
SOCIAL MOBILITY cont’d
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Apart from colour, wealth and prestige social
mobility could be achieved by marrying
someone with money, acquiring enough
educational credentials to securing a well
paying job;
By owning a successful business and
investing wisely;
By inheritance;
Social mobility cont’d
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It can be attained intergenerationally- that is
a family may move t a higher socioeconomic bracket became of hardwork,
diligence and foresight of older generation.
Social Mobility Cont’d
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The wealthier and powerful groups continue
to be found exclusively in the higher social
classes.
While the structure of Caribbean societies
today shows that many descendants of
African and Indians are in higher social
classes, it also shows that a large number of
these groups have not been successful in
accessing social mobility.