Discrete and Continuous Approaches to Measurement of Socioeconomic Status Essay Example

are less prestigious but have a reasonably high income, for example the entrepreneurs. However, a recent standardized approach is where the government has put official codes to rank the occupation as described in the National Occupational Classification for Statistics (NOCS).

A provider with a highly prestigious job and high income was able to provide satisfactorily to his family.The parent's education level is asked and students are asked to state whether the parent has 'no education', or give the highest level of education achieved. It is generally known that parents with high level of education will influence the education of their children education in a positive way. They are likely to understand better what the school requires and able to assist their children with school work.

It is also thought that they will instil a positive attitude concerning education to their children.On the other hand, parents with low level of education or none will have little involvement in their child's education. In the past years the mother's education was of prime importance because she contributes a lot in child education and socialization. Discrete Approach Discrete measure is also referred to as a categorical measurement.

This involves categorical groupings of the social classes. The social classes are not necessarily on a continuous or hierarchical manner but comparisons are made within a particular social class.

For example, concerning occupation, individuals are grouped according to the level of skill and skill specialisation so that we have people who are managers, administrators or clerks. while in education they are assessed on whether they attended any school, finished high school, have some college or university education.

Strengths and weaknesses of the continuous approach

The significance of the

continuous approach is that it is easy to show correlation with educational outcomes. Moreover, it is a simpler method to interpret in the regression type analysis.On the other hand, the continuous approach is not well understood by teachers and students on the education aspect but only with the researchers carrying out the study. Different contradicting methods have also been used in placement of social classes in accordance with education.

Strengths and weaknesses of the discrete approach

The good side of the discrete method is that it gives a straight forward understanding to the teachers and students. It also gives a clear distinction of important socioeconomic groups. On the other hand it does not provide a single common measure.Moreover, it can be cumbersome to interpret the regression type analysis.

Conclusion It is worth noting that both methods are important measures of reporting the social stratification.

Depending on the education levels, occupation, health the society is placed in various classes. Each class has its own style of interacting. Moreover, family decisions and values are passed on to the next generation depending on the social class set up. While the continuous approach measures SES over a period of time, the discrete method provides a comparison between the social classes at a particular period of time.