Stratification =-O.... :(... :)

<> <> <> <> <> <> <>      Stratification is defined as the division of society into hierarchy of unequal groups who have differential access to material goods and power. In today's society society is divided into three social classes: the upper class (bourgeois), the middle class (now referred to as the working class), and the lower class (the poor). In today's economy the poor have little to no opportunity at a better life. Their education is minimal, they have no access to resources, and are often left to committing petty crime/theft to stay alive. The middlemclass isn't what it used to be. Doctors and lawyers who were considered lower upper class, are now considered to be part of the middle class. In today's society the middle class is almost anyone who has a job. While this is sad/disheartening, I agree with the functionalist belief that inequality serves a purpose. More important roles in society should be afforded greater rewards, without the poor we couldn't have the rich. That's the American dream isn't it, to break barriers, to overcome the odds and become who you want to be.  Without inequality that drive to succeed wouldn't exist(in my opinion). Of course an argument to that way of thinking may be that it is near impossible to move up the social ladder, well like Jonathan Lockwood said "life isn't supposed to be fair."