Which concept emphasizes the limitations that social structures impose on individual opportunities?

The concept that emphasizes the limitations that social structures impose on individual opportunities is indeed structure. In sociology, social structure refers to the organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that together compose society. This includes aspects such as class systems, economic systems, and institutional organizations that shape the opportunities and experiences available to individuals.

Social structures provide a context within which individuals operate, and they can both enable and restrict actions. For example, factors like socioeconomic status, education systems, and cultural norms can limit or enhance the opportunities available to individuals, effectively influencing their life paths. Thus, when we say that social structures impose limitations on individual opportunities, we are recognizing that these structures can create barriers that make it more difficult for certain individuals to achieve their goals or improve their circumstances.

The other concepts—agency, independence, and capitalism—focus on different aspects of social interaction and dynamics. Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices, which can, at times, overcome structural limitations. Independence emphasizes the ability to operate without reliance on others or structures, which contrasts with the constraints posed by social structures. Capitalism pertains specifically to an economic system characterized by private ownership and free markets, which is one area where social structures can manifest, but it does