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Social standing refers to the hierarchical distinctions (or stratification) between individuals or groups in societies or cultures. It relates directly to ones health, values, politics, and family life. Some cultures such as America, put high enphasis on individuality and not so much collectivism. Usually most societies have some notion of social class [1], but concretely defined social classes are not found in every known type of human societies. Some traditionallower standard cultures use hunter-gatherer ( foraging) (( girl from tv experiencing first time in africa of how to construct a hut from a higher standard wouldn’t know how to react) societies do not have social classes, often lack permanent leaders, and actively avoid dividing their members into hierarchical power structures (collectivist).[2] In these societies, individuals are able to do the same activities. Since there is little labor specialization and no food surpluses are produced, there is little necessity or even opportunity for classes to form and develop. The theoretical debate over the definition of class remains an important one today. Sociologist Dennis Wrong defines class in two ways - realist and nominalist. The realist definition relies on clear class boundaries to which people adhere in order to create social groupings. They identify themselves with a particular class and interact mainly with people in this class. This generally means a high level of comfortability to be surround by people of your same core values, beliefs, and views on life. The nominalist definition of class focuses on the characteristics that people share in a given class - education, occupation, etc. Class is therefore determined not by the group in which you place yourself or the people you interact with, but rather by these common characteristics.[4] The most basic class distinction is between the powerful and the powerless.[5] [6] People in social classes with greater power attempt to cement their own positions in society and maintain their ranking above the lower social classes in the social hierarchy. Social classes with a great deal of power are usually viewed as elites, at least within their own societies. They had to take initiative to step out of the norm of a class and strive to develop them selves as somewhat of a leader and one looked upon for guidance and advice. IN conclusion, health, values, politics, and family life help determine to what degree you will obtain concerning social standing.. The more goal oriented and and perseverance you have the more elite you will appear and be respected in society ranging from the lowest standing to the ultimate. In a nutshell, the higher lever of education you obtain the higher your social standard will be.
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