EDU 01-KNOWLEDGE AND CURRICULUM :PHILOSOPHICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

                                                                       UNIT - IV

                      EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE

CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN SOCIETY-CLASS 

Every society is classified into different segments on the basis of occupation, wealth or  education, which are considered predominant characteristics of class. They formulate their own  values and aspirations for the efficient functioning of their community. There are upper class,  middle class and lower class people in society.  

According to Karl Marx, “Classes are large groups of people who differ from another by their  relation to the means of production, by their role in the social organization and labour and  consequently by the mode and dimension of acquiring the share of social wealth of which they  dispose.” 

Common Basis For Division Of Class: 

• Property- capitalist and the poor- the haves and the have nots
• Education - Illiterate and Literate
• Business or Occupation - Farmers, Clerk Officers, Industrialists etc.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF SOCIAL CLASS IN INDIA

Social class is the segment of a society arrived at by a hierarchical classification of individuals  and families with a distinct status. The members of each class have relatively the same status.  The status denotes the aggregate effect of the members of a class.. The important characteristics  of the social class are: 

1. The members of each class have relatively the same status 

A social class is defined by the amount of status, which the members of that class have in  comparison with members of other social classes. The members in a particular social class have  relatively the same status. An individual or family achieves social class by acquisition of skills,  education, wealth and recognition. The status of the member reflects the aggregate effect of  influence and recognition conferred on them by the society. This in turn is either more or less  than the status of other classes.

2. Persons within a given class tend to behave alike 

Social classes are homogeneous divisions of the society. Each social class shows similar life styles, values, status, prestige and interests. So, the behavior pattern of the members become  similar. There are also shared attitudes and behavioral pattern among members. So, the  behavioral pattern differs among social classes. For example, a person belonging to middle class  prefers economically priced cars. But upper income group will prefer highly priced cars. Thus,  social classes exhibit varying buying pattern in purchase of products that meets the life-style,  status and prestige of their members. 

3. Social class is hierarchical 

Social class is determined by a hierarchical classification of individuals and families with a  distinct status. Families can climb the social ladder by achievement of members. When each  generation within a family tends to do better, there is an upward mobility in the social ladder.  When young adults have less disposable income than their successful parents, they may slide  down in the class hierarchy. The hierarchical aspect of social class is important to marketers.  Consumers may prefer to purchase products favored by their own or higher social class (e.g.  imported luxury automobiles). Consumers may avoid certain products because they perceive the  products to be lower class products.

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UNIT 4- EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE 

classes are homogeneous divisions of the society. Each social class shows similar life styles, values, status, prestige and interests. So, the behavior pattern of the members become  similar. There are also shared attitudes and behavioral pattern among members. So, the  behavioral pattern differs among social classes. For example, a person belonging to middle class  prefers economically priced cars. But upper income group will prefer highly priced cars. Thus,  social classes exhibit varying buying pattern in purchase of products that meets the life-style,  status and prestige of their members.