- Discuss the Davis-Moore thesis. Specifically, discuss why social stratification is a universal concept that is found in every society in the world. Also discuss several criticisms of the Davis-Moore thesis.
The functionalist view of social inequality according to the Davis-Moore thesis argues that every society is stratified and therefore, inequality not only exists but is also universal. This inequality is not only avoidable but sometimes is necessary for the smooth functioning of the society. According to them, every part of the society has needs to perform or occupy a position and there has to be an unequal distribution of resources and rewards to ensure that all the positions get filled. The thesis also goes on to propagate the idea that this inequality arising out of stratification is beneficial. They explain the benefits of this inequality through the functional importance of position. They say not every position is important because it pays you a higher income but becomes important owing to the extensive training and talent involved. The unavailability of resources that have the same talent and access to training is also a reason.
Social inequality and stratification according to them is then an unconsciously evolved device by the society to ensure that the most important positions are only filled by the most qualified people. Their argument that social inequality and stratification is universal has come under a lot of criticism and falls flat when it comes to a feudal society, a monarchy or a privately held corporate environment. In these environments, the top position or a position with the most rewards are not taken up by people because they are highly qualified but because they claim a right to it because of their birth or position in an organization or the family. Not everyone can be motivated to take up a position and when given the position, not everyone can fulfill the demands of that particular position.
Durkheim and Tumin are two of the vocal opponents of the David Moore thesis. Durkheim says that the access to position and achievement itself is controlled by a particular class that seeks to retain the status quo. Thus while unintelligent and unqualified children of rich corporate owners take on the mantle of the organization, the children of the poor workers are being denied access to education that will lead them to take up the position. He proposed a system where the state would take over the education system and base kids depending on their intelligence and skill sets so they have access to whatever positions they may seek. He more or less says that the idea of Davis-Moore’s universal social stratification is not natural but artificial.
Tumin in his article “Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical Analysis” says that the functional importance of social stratification is difficult to be demonstrated. One can never say who is important in a factory setup. A qualified engineer or mechanics as both of them play an important role in making the factory function. Also, because social stratification is universal does not make it beneficial. Rather the sometimes forced and sometimes natural functionalities and positions lead to a very dysfunctional society.
Human society is much more complex than what can be explained away by the Davis-Moore thesis. Stratification occurs in all societies across the world, and it is not intelligence, talent or access to resources alone that explains it but also other factors such as wealth, family affiliations, professional contacts, class, etc. The Davis-Moore thesis can be seen as one way to look at social stratification as a universal phenomenon but cannot be held as the only explanation or the truth.
References
- Tumin, Melvin M. 1953. “Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical Analysis.” ASR 18(4):387–393.
- The socialization process links gender to personal identity (gender identity) and to distinctive behavior and activities (gender roles). In this essay, describe the importance of gender to socialization across the life course from birth through early adulthood. Begin by addressing the fact that people are quick to ask about the sex of a newborn child (why is that). Consider the influence of media, the family, school, and peer groups on gender socialization.
When an announcement of a pregnancy or the birth of a child is being made, the immediate question from outsiders is about the gender of the child. This is because of the knowledge of the expectations of the parents or the ingrained beliefs and attitudes in people about gender and the many things it entails. Although not in all cultures or societies, the gender of the child plays an important role in how a child would adjust to the society or socialize with other people. Socialization is a process in which an individual learns to become a member of society, and it would not be outrageous to suggest that the gender plays an important role in how the individual is conditioned to behave in a certain way and act in certain situations. Here comes the notion or the idea of gender socialization. Gender socialization is the process through which an individual identifies the existing gender norms and start to develop an internal gender identity.
Gender norms are the specific sets of rules and behaviors that tell a person how to act based on their gender such as what is appropriate masculine and feminine behavior. It becomes important for an individual to conform to these gender norms to be able to fit in. In the words of John Donne, No man is an island, and we all need to make connections ad develop relationships of some sort to live in a society. What is acceptable behavior in public also largely stems from these gender specifications which are imparted in a kid from birth and the indoctrination continues till adulthood. These gender norms also play an important role in the individual forming a gender identity which is unique in a certain way and common in a lot of other ways.
The formation of a gender identity begins with the family. A quite commonplace and obvious example of this is when the parents paint the room of their girl child pink and blue if it were a boy. It continues with the toys next with gifts of machinery and cars deemed suitable for boys and dolls and accessories for girls. Growing up in this milieu, the child knows of no other way to be. This social behavior is again forced on the kid, or the kid is influenced by his or her peers. Going to a new school, fitting in a group, being part of the hip crowd all influences the individual to be a part of the gender specification process. The influence of media also cannot be discounted. Right from popular literature to advertisements that star or focus on a specific group, gender norms and gender identities are everywhere.
We are all expected to be within the norms and play our respective gender roles as anything else is being seen as aberrant or deviant behavior. It is this rigid gender classifications and specified roles that give rise to hate crimes against anyone not inclined to tow the ‘proper’ path. It is also gender specification and accepted behaviors that let some men get away with violence against women. Gender plays an important role in the socialization process of an individual as it helps him or her fit into the household, make friends, find a partner and be a ‘normal’ functioning member of the society.
