SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND MOBILITYThe Caribbean

Diversity and SimilarityCommon History and cultureCommon System of Stratification (race, colour, class)Pyramidal Structure comprising:White Upper Stratum (plantation owners & managers)Brown Middle Stratum (Skilled and Semi-Skilled workers, traders, petit-bourgeoisie)Lower Stratum of mostly blacks (manual, unskilled workers)

Diversity and Similarity contd.

Wide disparities in wealth, status and power between individuals & groups within levels of stratification

Differences in ethnic/racial composition (Belize, T&T, Guyana)

Differences in economic development of countries

Diversity and Similarity contd.

East Indians (former Indentured Servants) in Guyana and T&T have risen tremendously in the social, economic & political hierarchy

They have challenged the traditional political dominance of Afro-Trinidadian and Afro-Guyanese (UNC, PPP)Guyanese E.I Prime MinisterFormer Trinidadian PM

Diversity and Similarity contd.In T&T, East Indians are a powerful voice within the society. Have been able to ensure public observances of religious festivals and holidays such as Eid ul Fitir and DivaliSuccessful business owners, controlling the agriculture sector, hardware and lumber, trucking and heavy equipment operations, sugar cane operationsSuccessful professionals - doctors, lawyers

Diversity and Similarity contd.

For Afro-Caribbean peoples, education has been a significant influence. It has been the major avenue by which many have filled the Middle Classes.

Have distinguished themselves in political officeManagement of Banking and Financial operationsManagement of Public ServiceOperators in Local & International Music Industry

The OECSOsoba and Steele note the following:

Class is dominant system of social stratification

Some status groups exist somewhat outside the class structureWhite expatriate owners of hotels & businesses in tourist sectorEast Indian, Syrian/Lebanese group of store owners, factory owners & owners of small hotelsIn T&T, for eg., Syrian/Lebanese not seen as alien in the way they might be perceived in some of the smaller islands

Derek Gordon - Class, Status and Social Mobility in JamaicaConsiderable increase in opportunities for upward mobility by expansion in occupational positions

Great deal of inequality of opportunities for some groupsJcans. Whose parents were agricultural labourers, domestic & unskilled manual workers had virtually no chance of ending up at the top of the middle strata

Derek Gordon - Class, Status and Social Mobility in Jamaica (Contd.)Women with these background had virtually non-existent chances

Men, hardly any better4:1000 males with agricultural labouring origins were likely to end up in the middle strata, despite expansion of educational system & opening up of new positionsOffspring of small farmers were in essentially same position

Derek Gordon - Class, Status and Social Mobility in Jamaica (Contd.)

7:1000 males & 4:1000 females with small farming backgrounds became higher professionals or managers

Jcans. From homes of industrial workers fared little better in absolute terms as only 2% males & 2.4% females reached the top.

What of Gordons Findings?

Bear little surprise to those familiar with data on living conditions, poverty and welfare

Mobility virtually non-existent among certain occupational groups

Low level of Human Capital of working age population (15-64) in povertyVast majority having attained up to 1st Cycle Secondary level

What of Gordons Findings? (Contd.)

Working poor category - 68.7% of poor were employed in 1998 (Employed where? or Doing what?)

Skilled Agricultural/Fishery; Sales Workers/Shop/Market Sales; Elementary; Craft & Related TradesMany Own Account Workers & Private Sector Employees

What of Gordons Findings? (Contd.)

Issues of poverty & lack of ed. or low levels of ed. are at the crux of non-existent upward mobility for many

Quality of education/School type are also critical to upward mobility

Today, as well, geographical location can also be at the crux of non-existent opportunities for upward mobility

What of Gordons Findings? (Contd.)Introduction of social programmes & economic policies aimed at poverty eradication & fostering human capital growth, has led to improvements in numbers accessing higher level education & attaining upward social mobility (NPEP, NAP, ROSE, SFP, FAP, SSTP, PATH)

Harsh economic climate could, however, lead to the reduction or wiping away of gains made

Emerging & Emerged Middle Class / Nouveau Riche

Gordon & Stone highlighted the newly emerging middle classes:

persons who through certain occupations have enjoyed MC status &/or positionHairdressers, cosmetologists, taxi drivers, truck drivers, ICIs, DJs, Chefs/Cooks