Define social stratification.

Social stratification refers to a structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal rewards and life chances in society. This hierarchical structure categorizes individuals and groups based on various criteria, such as wealth, income, race, education, and power. The essence of social stratification lies in its impact on social relationships and the stratified access to resources and opportunities, influencing everyday life and shaping social inequities.

By characterizing social stratification as a system that ranks categories of people in a hierarchy, this definition emphasizes the systematic nature of inequality and how different social classes or categories exist within a society. It highlights that social stratification affects individuals' positions and experiences, influencing their role and opportunities within the wider social framework. This understanding of social stratification is crucial for any sociological analysis, as it underpins much of the discourse surrounding class, privilege, and social mobility.