Social stratification only reflects individual effort and merit, disregarding systemic factors that influence wealth and status.

Social stratification is a way to understand how society is organized into different layers based on wealth, status, and power. While it might seem that people's positions in society come solely from their hard work and talent, many other factors play a significant role. For example, someone born into a wealthy family often has access to better education and opportunities compared to someone from a less affluent background, regardless of their personal efforts. This means that systemic issues, like unequal access to resources, can greatly influence a person's success. Therefore, social stratification reflects not only individual merit but also the broader social and economic systems that shape people's lives.