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Social structure presents an idea that society is grouped into structures with different functions, meanings or purposes. Family, religion, law, economy and class are all social structures. This is related to the idea of " social stratification," which refers to the idea that society is separated into different strata, according to social distinctions such as a race, class and gender. Social treatment of persons within various social structures can be understood as related to their placement within the various social strata.

For example, some argue that men and women who have otherwise equal qualifications receive different treatment in the workplace because of their gender. Others note that individuals are sometimes viewed as having different essential qualities based on their race and ethnicity, regardless of their individual qualities. When examined, these social distinctions are often considered stereotypes based on prejudice. However, these social distinctions often go unexamined because they appear to be the result of social structures rather than prejudice.

Some believe that social structure is naturally developed. It may be caused by larger system needs, such as the need for labor, managementManagement (from Old French, "menagement" "the art of conducting, directing", from Latin "manum agere" "lead by the hand") characterises the process of leading and directing all or part of an organization, often a business, through the deployment and mani, professionalA professional does something as a profession, or receives payment for some activity. The adjective "professional" can indicate that someone has great skill in a craft or activity, or that something demonstrates such skill. To conduct oneself as a profess and militaryMilitary (from latin militarius miles "soldier") as an adjective describes anything related to soldiers and warfare. Used as a noun, it is equivalent to Armed force. See also Armed force Martial art Militaria Military history Military rule Military by cou classes, or by conflicts between groups, such as competition among political partiesA political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. In party-list proportional representation, parties (and sometimes multi-party cartels) can play a functional role in the voting system. or among eliteAlternative meaning: Elite (computer game In sociology as in general usage, the elite (the "elect"; sometimes the French form "elite" is used) refers to a relatively small dominant group within a larger society, which enjoys privileged status and, almosts and masses . Others believe that this structuring is not a result of natural processes, but is socially constructed. It may be created by the power of elites who seek to retain their power, or by economic systemAn economic system is a mechanism (also defined as system or social institution) which deals with the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services in a particular society. The economic system is composed of people, institutions and theirs that place emphasis upon competitionCompetition characterises a biochemical, ecologic, economic, political, or sporting activity whereby two or more individuals or groups strive antagonistically against one another for some reward. The reward could consist of: fame, esteem, reputation, or r or cooperation.

A social system can be viewed as composed of the economic system, law system, political system, cultural system, etc.