Socioeconomic status (SES) can be defined firstly as a construct that represents social and economic background of an individual or group unit (e.g., household). Secondly, the sociological concept addresses relative position in a particular social structure as it is based on the assumption that an unequal status structure exists in all societies (Hollingshead, 1975). It normally includes acquired (e.g., wealth, status, and prestige, following Haug, 1977) versus biological characteristics of an individual such as age or ethnic origin. At household level, it can include demographic data such as place of residence. It is a construct designed to group context-specific, meaningful, and statistically valid indicators, either as a composite indicator or by using single indicators/variables, or even a single proxy variable.
Socioeconomic status (SES) or social background has become one of the most prominent explanatory factors.
