Qué son los estratos en Colombia, el sistema "solidario" que profundizó el clasismo | BBC Mundo
Understanding Social Stratification in Colombia
What is Social Stratification?
- Social stratification refers to a scale of inequality, classifying individuals based on their socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and mindset.
- The term "estrato" originates from India and has been adapted in Colombia to categorize social classes for income redistribution since 1985.
- Colombia's stratification system divides society into six strata, where higher strata (5 and 6) subsidize lower ones (1, 2, and 3), with the middle stratum (4) acting as a neutral point.
Mechanisms of Classification
- The classification is determined by factors such as street conditions, construction materials, and access to public services rather than income levels.
- This method was intended to be progressive but has led to complications in accurately linking social strata with specific geographic areas.
Societal Implications of Strata
- Initially designed to combat inequities in one of the world's most unequal countries, the system has evolved into a tool for discrimination across various sectors like employment and healthcare.
- Many Colombians perceive this classification as a form of humiliation that perpetuates poverty or wealth without offering an escape route from these labels.
Problems Arising from the System
- The stratification system has created two significant issues: its use by institutions for categorizing people and its adoption by citizens as a caste-like structure.
- This official categorization fosters social divisions based on perceived worthiness tied to one's economic background.
Perceptions and Stereotypes
- Individuals are often judged based on their stratum; for example, those from lower strata may be viewed as honest yet uneducated while higher strata individuals might be seen as narcissistic or elitist.
- There exists a stigma against lower-stratum individuals who are often stereotyped negatively despite potential changes in their socioeconomic status over time.
Conclusion: A Divided Society
- The stratification creates barriers among Colombians, leading to distrust between different social groups.
- Humility is often attributed to lower-stratum individuals while wealthier ones are criticized for lacking compassion.