Caste Class & Occupation

Caste ,Class & Occupation

The caste system is a Classification of people into four hierarchically ranked castes called varnas. They are classified according to occupation and determine access to wealth, power, and privilege.

The Brahmans, usually priests and scholars, are at the top. Next are the Kshatriyas, or political rulers and soldiers. They are followed by the Vaishyas, or merchants, and the fourth are the Shudras, who are usually laborers, peasants, artisans, and servants. At the very bottom are those considered the untouchables. These individuals perform occupations that are considered unclean and polluting, such as scavenging and skinning dead animals and are considered outcastes. They are not considered to be included in the ranked castes.

The four orders of Society are believed to have originated from the self-sacrifice of Purusha-the creator, the primeval being and are mentioned in Rig Veda.

There seems to be a constant upward and downward social mobility between the different Varnas.When a lower Varna changed into a higher varna, it was known as jatyutkarsa or uplift of the caste. On the other hand, if a person belonging to a higher varna gradually descended into a lower Varna, it was known as jatyapakarsa or the degeneration of the caste. While the caste system is rigid without possibility of social mobility.

Caste on the other hand may be defined as a hereditary endogenous group which decides the individual‟s status in the social stratification and his profession. Caste is also defined as an aggregate of persons whose share of obligations and privileges is fixed by birth, sanctioned and supported by magic and or religion.

Caste is basically a closed system of stratification, since members are recruited on the criteria of ascribed status. In other words, an individual becomes a member of a caste in which he or she is born. Thus it is an ascribed status. Even if there is social mobility in the caste system through the process of Sankritisation, urbanizations, etc it is only a positional change rather than a structural change.

The main features of caste system in Indian Society are –

(1) Hierarchy

(2) Endogamy and Hypergamy

(3) Pre-fixed occupation of castes

(4) Restriction on food, drink, smoking etc.

(5) Distinction in customs, dress and speech

(6) Differentiation in rituals

(7) Caste based disabilities

(8) Theory of pollution

(9) Criteria of touchability and untouchability

(10) Concept of purity and impurity

(11) Claim of Divine creation

(12) Prohibition on marriages outside one‟s own caste

(13) Location or residences.

The division of Indian society into various castes, together with the practice of untouchability, and the geographic isolation of some tribal communities has meant that these communities have lagged behind others in terms of educational and occupational attainment, political participation and with regard to opportunities for social mobility.

There were many movements and governmental actions that took place pre- and post- independence in order to overcome and attempt to eliminate the inequalities and injustices associated with the caste system. During the national movement, Gandhi began using the term “Harijans” (God‟s people) to refer to the untouchables in order to encourage a shift towards positive Attitude towards the lower castes. B.R. Ambedkar campaigned for greater rights for Dalits in British India, and even after independence.

Theory of Sankritization and Mordernization has lead to the diminishing characteristic of caste system in Indian society.,

Caste, class, and occupation are three important social categories that have a significant impact on people’s lives. Caste is a system of social stratification that is based on birth. Class is a system of social stratification that is based on wealth, income, and Education. Occupation is a system of social stratification that is based on the type of work that people do.

Caste is a system of social stratification that is found in many parts of the world, including India, Nepal, and Pakistan. In India, the caste system is based on the Hindu religion. There are four main castes in India: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. The Brahmin caste is the highest caste, and the Shudra caste is the lowest caste. There is also a fifth caste, called the Dalits, who are considered to be outside of the caste system.

The caste system has a significant impact on people’s lives in India. People from higher castes are often treated better than people from lower castes. They have more opportunities for education, EMPLOYMENT, and housing. People from lower castes often face discrimination and prejudice.

Class is a system of social stratification that is found in many parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Class is based on wealth, income, and education. People who are wealthy and have high levels of education are considered to be upper class. People who are poor and have low levels of education are considered to be lower class. There is also a middle class, which includes people who have moderate levels of wealth, income, and education.

Class has a significant impact on people’s lives in many parts of the world. People from upper classes often have more opportunities than people from lower classes. They have better access to education, healthcare, and housing. People from lower classes often face discrimination and prejudice.

Occupation is a system of social stratification that is found in many parts of the world. Occupation is based on the type of work that people do. People who have high-status occupations, such as doctors and lawyers, are considered to be upper class. People who have low-status occupations, such as janitors and garbage collectors, are considered to be lower class. There is also a middle class, which includes people who have moderate-status occupations.

Occupation has a significant impact on people’s lives in many parts of the world. People from high-status occupations often have more opportunities than people from low-status occupations. They have better access to education, healthcare, and housing. People from low-status occupations often face discrimination and prejudice.

Caste, class, and occupation are three important social categories that have a significant impact on people’s lives. These categories are often interrelated, and they can have a profound impact on people’s opportunities and experiences.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about caste, class, and occupation:

What is caste?
Caste is a system of social stratification that is based on birth. It is a hereditary system, meaning that people are born into their caste and cannot change it. Caste is a system of inequality, and people of lower castes are often discriminated against.
What is class?
Class is a system of social stratification that is based on wealth, income, and education. It is a system of inequality, and people of lower classes are often discriminated against.
What is occupation?
Occupation is a person’s job or profession. It is a way of earning a living and providing for oneself and one’s family. Occupation can also be a source of identity and social status.
What are the differences between caste, class, and occupation?
Caste, class, and occupation are all systems of social stratification. However, they are based on different criteria. Caste is based on birth, class is based on wealth, income, and education, and occupation is based on one’s job or profession.
What are the similarities between caste, class, and occupation?
Caste, class, and occupation are all systems of inequality. People of lower castes, classes, and occupations are often discriminated against.
What are the effects of caste, class, and occupation on people’s lives?
Caste, class, and occupation can have a significant impact on people’s lives. People of lower castes, classes, and occupations often have fewer opportunities and are more likely to experience POVERTY, discrimination, and violence.
What can be done to address the problems of caste, class, and occupation?
There are a number of things that can be done to address the problems of caste, class, and occupation. These include:
Promoting education and employment opportunities for people of all castes, classes, and occupations.
Combating discrimination and violence against people of lower castes, classes, and occupations.
Promoting social Justice and Equality for all people.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Caste Class & Occupation:

Which of the following is not a social stratification system?
(A) Caste
(B) Class
(C) Status
(D) Occupation
Which of the following is a characteristic of a caste system?
(A) Membership is determined by birth
(B) There is a hierarchy of social groups
(C) Social mobility is limited
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a characteristic of a class system?
(A) Membership is determined by wealth or income
(B) There is a hierarchy of social groups
(C) Social mobility is possible
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a characteristic of a status system?
(A) Membership is determined by personal attributes such as education, occupation, or wealth
(B) There is a hierarchy of social groups
(C) Social mobility is possible
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a characteristic of an occupational system?
(A) Membership is determined by occupation
(B) There is a hierarchy of occupations
(C) Social mobility is possible
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a social stratification system that is based on birth?
(A) Caste
(B) Class
(C) Status
(D) Occupation
Which of the following is a social stratification system that is based on wealth or income?
(A) Caste
(B) Class
(C) Status
(D) Occupation
Which of the following is a social stratification system that is based on personal attributes such as education, occupation, or wealth?
(A) Caste
(B) Class
(C) Status
(D) Occupation
Which of the following is a social stratification system that is based on occupation?
(A) Caste
(B) Class
(C) Status
(D) Occupation
Which of the following is the most common type of social stratification system in the world?
(A) Caste
(B) Class
(C) Status
(D) Occupation