Read Aloud — Sociology

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals within a society based on factors such as wealth, education, and occupation. Sociologists study how these layers are maintained across generations and what mechanisms allow or prevent movement between different levels of the social structure.

Urbanisation has accelerated dramatically in recent decades, with more than half of the global population now living in cities. This shift brings both opportunities, including better access to healthcare and education, and challenges such as overcrowding, pollution, and the erosion of traditional community bonds.

Gender roles are social expectations about how men and women should behave, and they vary significantly across cultures and historical periods. Research shows that these roles are largely learned rather than biologically determined, shaped by family, education, media, and the wider social environment from early childhood.