Intro to Sociology - Admission/Application Essay Example

Eli Manning’s Position in Social Stratification According to John J. Macionis’ Theory of Stratification, the Caste System remains both rigid as well as a closed system that is determined at the time of birth and where social mobility is static (Macionis).Social stratification of caste system in Eli Manning’s situation is interestingly varied. He was born into a prosperous family which is good for a young man because he did not have to suffer from the handicap of poverty. And in a classic Macionis’ case, birth alone decided his destiny.

This means he did not have to overcome the handicap of a poor birth and the attendant dearth of prospects of social mobility. So in one way he held a fine springboard to leap into future success. However, the peculiarity of this condition held its own handicaps. This is because his father Archie Manning was a folk hero in the state of Mississippi with even a song written about him entitled The Ballad of Archie Who, although he was not much of a footballer. Added to this was the fact that his two brothers Cooper as well as Peyton were also famous footballers and Eli had to overcome this twin handicaps (Jockbio, 2012).

Another impediment that stood in the way of Manning is the pecking order in his family. Being the youngest he was at the very bottom of this order. Peyton picked on him constantly, so Eli sought protection from Cooper. Peyton, an avid SEC fan, pinned and pummeled Eli and made him recite every team partaking in the conference. Soon he became Momma’s boy.Eli Manning’s Position in Class StratificationIn a system derived from class, social stratification is due to birth as well as individual achievement.

At first, Eli started playing football with the kids in his neighborhood, then as he moved to high school where his two brothers were also studying. Comparison began between him and his brother Peyton. And living up to the reputation of his brother was never an easy thing. By dint of constant effort, birth and a large measure of inborn talent, he began to be a success in his own field of endeavor. He joined the Rebels eventually and through the 2001, 2002 and 2003 he rose higher and higher. This happened in spite of the fact that of all class systems, status consistency tends to be lower in caste systems (Macionis).

Eli Manning – MeritocracyMacionis explains meritocracy as what one achieves through personal merit. Manning’s success was due to personal merit also. Toughness and talent made him the star quarterback of the famous New York Giants. His virile right arm, a razor-sharp, nimble mind along with the resounding ring of the Super Bowl made him the most priceless player of the NFL (jockbio, 2010). Thus three of John Mancinis social stratification theories can be applied to Eli Manning, a star soccer player who keeps on dazzling soccer fans around the world.

He won many coveted awards and even became a member of Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Works CitedMacionis, John J. Society: The Basics. NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010. Print.JockBio, Eli Manning — Biography. Black Book Partners, LLC, 2012. Web. 12 May 2012. .