SOCIAL STRUCTURE, STRATIFICATION AND SOCIAL PROCESSES IN SOCIETY
Individuals belong to various social groups, such as peer groups, families, classes, genders, and more. These groups collectively form what we call the social structure, which encompasses the organised patterns of roles, relationships, and institutions that shape our lives. Every individual occupies a specific place within this social structure.
Your position in the social structure significantly influences the resources available to you. These resources can include education, clothing, food, leisure opportunities, healthcare, and your overall lifestyle. In essence, your social status can impact the choices and opportunities you have in your life.
Social stratification is closely related to social structure. It refers to the way individuals or groups are ranked hierarchically in society based on factors like income, education, social class, and power. This hierarchical arrangement can limit or enable individual choices and actions.
Sociology seeks to understand the dynamic interaction between the individual and society. This means examining how an individual’s personal experiences and choices (biography) interact with the larger societal forces and structures (history).