What is a caste system in america

Caste is a form of social stratification characterized by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultural notions of purity and pollution. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. Many believe that the groups originated from Brahma, the Hindu God of creation. ... The main castes were further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation.

 In the United States, inequality tends to be framed as an issue of either class, race or both. Consider, for example, criticism that Republicans’ new tax plan is a weapon of “class warfare,” or accusations that the recent U.S. government shutdown was racist.

As an India-born novelist and scholar who teaches in the United States, I have come to see America’s stratified society through a different lens: caste.

Many Americans would be appalled to think that anything like caste could exist in a country allegedly founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. After all, India’s atrocious caste system determines social status by birth, compels marriage within a community and restricts job opportunity.

biological/genetic factors means they were born or predisposed to have something. nothing can really change it, and you can't really do much to "fix" it. it isn't something learned

these are the biological factors:

adrian is relatively tall and he is on the basketball team

(adrian can't ever stop being tall or force himself to be tall. likely one or both of his parents are tall as well and they passed on the tall gene. he probably does basketball because he is tall)

the rest are environmental/cultural factors. these are things that are taught to us. for example, cynthia wasn't born saving pocket money, her family most likely taught her this (environmental factor)

hope this !