Final answer:
Social hierarchy impacts day-to-day life by dictating individuals' interactions, access to resources, and opportunities for social mobility. Social stratification affects standards of living, lifestyles, and potential career advancements, reinforcing existing inequalities. Gender roles are also influenced by societal norms stemming from historical social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social hierarchy has a profound impact on individuals' day-to-day lives by dictating their access to resources, their interactions with others, and their overall opportunities. By influencing daily routines, attitudes, and beliefs, social stratification affects the standard of living and potential for social mobility. From the symbolic interactionist perspective, people's daily interactions are largely shaped by class distinctions, which are based on prestige, power, income, and wealth. Examples from one's community can include the segregation of neighborhoods based on economic status, where the wealthier sections have better services and schooling, creating a cycle that reinforces the existing social stratification.
Standards of living can vary significantly between social classes, with upper-class individuals enjoying a higher quality of life compared to those in lower classes. This disparity in living standards often dictates the style, behavior, and future opportunities available to people. High social status can provide increased chances for career advancements, whereas those from lower classes may face challenges that stem from limited access to education and professional networks.
Furthermore, social stratification can influence gender roles and expectations. For instance, in agricultural societies, men typically assumed roles that offered them more public influence and authority, while women were often relegated to the domestic sphere. These societal norms have evolved over time, but vestiges of such divisions still influence men's and women's lives differentially today.