Download How does the U.S. practice social stratification? Do we practice

How does the U.S. practice social stratification? Do we practice ascribed or
acquired group membership in social stratification?
The term social stratification applies to the inequality that exists between different groups of
people. The presence of inequality can be felt at different intensities and variations in the
hierarchical layers of every society. Slavery, caste system, estate, and class are the four
fundamental stratification systems. Although slavery, caste system, and estate no longer
exist in modern societies, they still do in some tribal societies.
By and large in United States, individual achievement impacts social class and acquired
group membership tends to be practiced more. It cannot be denied that the rich are bigger
consumers and have a significantly greater level of access to money and a higher quality of
education, occupation, and healthcare.
In United States, social stratification is based on factors such as income level, property
owned, wealth amassed, racial origins, and gender. Individual income level for instance
tends to depend on educational qualifications. People who have doctorate and professional
degrees rank in the country’s top income earners. People with bachelor degrees have
incomes significantly over the national median. Despite the availability of scholarships and
loans with low interest, for many people, education cost is still pretty high. For most
Americans, education attainment is critical class feature that directly links to occupation and
income.
In terms of gender roles, there is variation in social classes, with the middle class showing
greater nonconformity. In terms of wealth, there is even more inequality in United States,
the world’s richest country according to 2008 GDP statistics. In terms of household income
by race, Asians make the most, whereas Blacks make the least. It is estimated that the
country’s top 1% control as much as 38% of its entire wealth.
References:
http://www.worldsrichestcountries.com/
http://www.abbeyclock.com/cecil/index.html