Social Stratification

  In some societies, members recognise and accept the fact that not all families or individuals that make up the community have equal access to the same privileges, power and prestige. In such a community, the population is divided into various classes, each according to position, privileges and power held. Communities are this classified or ranked in levels. Where such communities exist, we say that the society is stratified.

   Social stratification , therefore, implies a state where every individual has his position in the community but the importance of his position varies. For instance , the position of a king, a governor, the president, the principal of a school etc command some respect within the society but these  various degrees of importance.

  The position of a receptionist is less important than that of an office  secretary. Messengers are important but not as important as that of a teacher in the secondary school.