Page 91 - Class Portfolio2019

UNIT II
SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

DETERMINANTS OF SOCIAL STATUS OF CLASS

(1) Wealth and Income:

Possession of substantial amounts of wealth is the main characteristic distinguishing the
upper class from other class groups in society. Persons having more wealth and income
generally have higher social position and respect in society. Wealth and income (money),
though necessary for upper-class position, yet one’s class position is not directly proportional

to his income.

A prostitute has less social status than a professor though her income is far greater than the
professor. In spite of all its weaknesses, wealth and income are an important determinant of
social class, partly because of the way of life it permits or enforces (a social class is basically
a way of life), and partly because it suggests about one’s family life and way of life.

Upper-class children have a better chance, and for their grandchildren, a secure upper-class
status is practically assured. Wealth and income, over a period of time, usually gains upper-

class status. In his analysis of class divisions, Karl Marx argued that social class is based
entirely on wealth.

(2) Occupation:

Occupation is an exceedingly important aspect of social class and as such it is another
determinant of class status. It is a well-known fact that some kinds of work are more
honourable than others, e.g., doctors, engineers, administrators, professors and lawyers hold
a higher position than a car mechanic or manual worker.

The high-prestige occupations generally receive the higher incomes, yet there are many
exceptions. Occupation is also one of the best clues to one’s way of life, and therefore to

one’s social class membership. It affects many other facets of life (values, beliefs, marital
relations) other than determining the social class.

(3) Education:

There is a close reciprocal relationship between social class and education. To get a higher
education one needs money plus motivation. Upper-class children already have money for
the finest schools and colleges. They also have family tradition and social encouragement.
One’s amount and kind of education affects the class rank he will secure. Thus, education is
one of the main levers of a man’s social class.

(4) Prestige:

It refers to the respect and admiration with which an occupation is regarded by society.
Prestige is independent of the particular person who occupies a job. Sociologists have tried
to assign prestige rankings to various occupations. Besides wealth, occupation and

education, there are certain other criteria which help a person to attain higher social status in
the society.

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