Definition
The hierarchy of a society.
See Also
- corporate ladder
- social climber
- social mobility
- social status
- economic mobility
- pecking order
- upwardly mobile
- upward mobility
How People Actually Use It
The way any given society is organized; its internal hierarchy. Individuals are placed on a vertical rule, or «ladder»; Their position on this ladder (high being «good» and low being «bad») is determined by their level of attainment of a certain quality perceived as «desirable» by the community as a whole.
"1) in a modern sub-society such as highschool, "physical strength" and "possession of expensive clothing" are considered «desirable» qualities; thus, individuals possessing these qualities are positioned high on the ladder («good»), while individuals possessing none of these qualities or their opposites are positioned low on the ladder («bad»)."
Source: Urban Dictionary