Social stratification

Stratification is the unequal layering of people into ranked groups, with unequal access to wealth, power, prestige and opportunities. It begins with social difference — people differ by age, language or occupation — but becomes stratification only when those differences are ranked and rewarded unequally. For example, two workers may both clean a hospital, yet a permanent employee and a contract worker can differ sharply in pay, security and respect, showing hierarchy, inequality and marginalization at work.