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Similar to social structure is a process known as social stratification. The easiest way to explain social stratification is to think of society as different "layers" of people. These layers are organized by the position one holds in society and how many opportunities are available to him or her. .
Our society is structured in a very status-oriented manner, placing a great deal of importance on the position one holds in society. So, to make it easier to identify and recognize others, we developed "classes". Traditionally, there were three principle classes consisting of the upper, middle, and lower. More recently, however, Purrucci and Wysong (2002) devised a "double diamond" illustration of American social class which consists of two classes rather than the traditional three. It divides people between the privileged class and those lacking privilege. The significance of this new class structure is the evidence of a rise in a new class position known as the contingent class. According to Purrucci and Wysong, "the contingent class makes up about 80% of all Americans. These are people who work for wages in clerical and sales jobs, personal services, and transportation and as skilled craft workers, machine operators, and assemblers. Members of this group are often college graduates" (Purrucci and Wysong 2002, 150). .
In a nation such as ours, we are judged daily on our financial status, physical appearance, gender, sexuality, and even religion. Many times our life chances are heavily influenced by how we fit into these categories. In some cases, people intentionally alter the way others will perceive them in order to gain an advantage, or at least what they view as an advantage, in life. This process is known as stigma management. A good example of this occurs in Granfield's (2002, 140) account of middle and working class students attending a prestigious law school in the eastern United States.
