Final answer:
SES determines an individual’s position within the system of social stratification, which ranks people based on wealth, income, and other factors, and greatly influences their standard of living and potential for mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Your socioeconomic status (SES) determines where you are in the system of social stratification. Social stratification refers to the societal categorization of people into rankings based on factors like wealth, income, education, and power. This system influences the opportunities and barriers an individual may encounter when trying to move up or down the social classes.
Social mobility within stratified systems can vary, with “closed” systems providing little opportunity for movement, while “open” systems may allow for more based on personal achievement. Regardless of system type, SES affects an individual’s standard of living, which is the level of wealth, comfort, material goods, and necessities available to them. Key factors that can impact the ability to move between classes include education, occupation, and the underlying cultural values of the society.
Although a person’s social class can influence their daily life through factors such as lifestyle, behavior, and opportunities, open systems do allow for change based on individual effort and achievement. In many societies, including the United States, social status still plays a pivotal role in shaping one's life experiences.