Society’s Social Stratum

Whether we like it or not one has to face up to the reality of social stratum in today’s society. In Jamaica we are all divided into our own social class; that is upper, middle or lower class. But the question is often asked, what exactly determines our position in society? Inevitably, it is money that determines where we are placed on the social hierarchy ladder. Place of residence and the jobs we hold is also another contributing factor as to where on the social ladder we fall. Firstly there is the upper class people otherwise known as “uptown folks”. They hold jobs in the field of law, medicine, public relations or human resource management and reside in upscale communities. Following the upper class we have the middle class people who either live on inheritances or hold jobs such as teachers, social workers or journalists. These persons are known to live a comfortable and affordable life. At the bottom of the ladder lies the lower class people-people who have little or no say in society. Usually the cries of “We Want Justice” comes from the people in this class. Persons who fall in this class are seen as inferior in society. Lower class people rarely have jobs and reside in areas known to many as the “ghetto”. But let us be mindful that one day we all must die and go to either heaven or hell where no social ladder exists.