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A type of primary group composed of Individuals who are either of similar
age or who share a common profession. Peer groups have a very strong

influence on the life of an individual.

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

Social stratification can thus be defined as the existence of structured inequalities
between groups in society, in terms of their access to material or symbolic rewards.
Ogburn and Nimkoffdefines social stratification as “The process by which individuals
and groups are ranked in more or less enduring hierarchy of status is known as
stratification”.

Society can be seen as consisting of „strata‟ in a hierarchy, with the more favoured at the
top and the less privileged near the bottom. Stratification has a crucial place in the
organisation of society. Every aspect of the life of every individual and household is
affected by stratification. Opportunities for health, security, educational success,
fulfilment in work and political influence are all unequally distributed in systematic ways.

FORMS OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
SLAVERY

Slavery is the extreme form of inequality in which some individuals are literary owned by
others. The Greeks and Romans kept slaves as soldiers, servants, labourers and even civil
servants. The Romans captured slaves from present day Britain, France and Germany.
Slave armies were kept by the Ottomans and Egyptians. As a formal institution slavery
has at present been eradicated. However, there are still instances of its existence found
in numerous forms in many corner of the world.

CASTE AS A SYSTEM OF STRATIFICATION

1. Your social position is determined by the caste you are born in.You cannot change
your caste.
2. Caste dictates the type of work an individual can do and doesn‟t allow occupational
mobility.
3. Caste endogamy is practiced with regard to marriages. An individual can marry only
within his/her own caste.
4. Caste determines one‟s social relationship. Social interaction is restricted by caste.
5. There is restriction in terms of food and food sharing.