social ladder
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.
Example:
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»).
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»).