How do structural factors contribute to the challenges of meritocracy in social mobility?

Structural factors are the systems and structures in society that can make it harder for people to move up in social status based on their abilities or efforts, which is known as meritocracy. For example, if a child grows up in a low-income neighborhood, they might attend a school that doesn’t have enough resources or experienced teachers. This lack of quality education can limit their opportunities to learn and succeed, even if they are very talented. Additionally, factors like discrimination based on race or gender can also play a role, making it even tougher for some individuals to achieve their goals. Overall, these structural barriers can prevent a true meritocracy, where everyone has an equal chance to succeed based on their skills and hard work.