Thinking critically
Global stratification is the phenomenon that explains the social structures inherent in a society. These structures emerge due to the differences in wealth, opportunities, power and unequal distribution of resources in a society (Henslin, 2010).
Considering the case of maquiladoras assembly export plants situated at the US-Mexican border, individuals in this region are very poor, earning wages of just about $100 for a 48 hour week (Henslin, 2010). Individuals in affluent American cities and other localities contribute to the affliction of these people either directly or indirectly. By buying the commodities produced by these plants, I encourage the owners of these plants to continue suppressing the individuals working in them by further seeking for cheaper labor.
It is important to eliminate global stratification though it is a daunting challenge. Countries should institute strict labor laws that require companies’ especially multinational companies to ensure they do not go below the set minimum wages. United States, which controls much of the world’s economy, and which has the highest number of multinational companies, should ensure that laborers in various countries are paid appropriately by their multinational companies. It is also essential for governments to ensure equal distribution of resources and ensure equity in their countries.
Functionalism theory propagates that the society is composed of various distinct parts that play specific roles for the society to remain intact (Henslin, 2010). Poverty according to this theory is thus part of this whole. Every society has to have poor people for the society to exist as a whole. The theory assumes that poverty has various roles to play in any society.
Conflict theory asserts that individuals in the lowest strata in the society are inhibited by foreign sources from rising from their poverty level (Henslin, 2010). The affluent and rich in the society institute mechanisms that prevent the poor from getting out of poverty. This includes unequal distribution of resources such as jobs and educational opportunities.
Interactionism theory assumes that reality is void. The theory asserts that it is the individuals in the society who ascribe meaning to entities for them to acquire a realistic perspective (Henslin, 2010). It is the individuals in a society who decide what is and is not important. There are certain material things that are in essence not really important but are assigned importance by the society. If individuals purchase these products at the expense of the important things, then they can easily plunge into poverty especially if these individuals do not have enough dispensable income.
Henslin, J. M. (2010). Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach: Books A La Carte
Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
