Occupational Segmentation and Cohesion: Examining the Linkages

Abstract

Essentially occupation is a productive endeavor. It expresses man’s desire to pursue work to further his life. Remaining productive makes life meaningful. It earns him a return that makes it possible to care for all needs within limits it may permit. Occupation therefore is any activity that is the prime means of livelihood for which a considerable part of time is spent in a day. Ever since man began organized living, he used to engage in occupations. It has become the basis for collective life. They complement each other in functional dependence to satisfy the plethora of human needs. The occupation performed by each individual depends on their health, intellect, knowledge, skill, and attitude. Some may not be sufficiently healthy to take on arduous tasks, some may not have sufficient intellect when compared with others and hence thrive on mechanical, or routine activities, and some may not have a proper attitude at all to utilize knowledge or skill desirably. Whatever it be occupations develop functional dependence and serve to connect through their mutual interactions. It forms the basis of social cohesion. By Involving individuals in productive tasks, occupations contribute to establishing social order thereby minimizing conflict. Therefore, occupational specializations are not sources of conflict. On the contrary, they act as instruments of unity. The advent of technology has resulted in newer forms of occupational stratification leading to the formation of classes within social class. As a result, occupational attributes have substituted the key features for class composition. Classes today are occupational classes. They signify wealth, status, power, authority, and lifestyle which are the main attributes of class. This paper discusses occupational segmentation as a basis of social cohesion.