Life Chances

Definition of life chances

Life chances (Lebenschancen in German) is a sociological theory which refers to an individual's opportunities to improve their chances of “doing well” for themselves and improve their quality of life.

Life chances can include outcomes such as life expectancy, educational attainment, career, housing, health, etc.

Life chances in sociology

Life chances is an essential topic in sociology since they can reveal much about society and how social structures impact people's lives. Factors that impact life chances in sociology include:

• Social class

• Gender

• Ethnic and cultural group

• Sexual orientation

• Age

• (Dis)ability

• Religion

Sociological perspectives on life chances

Sociologists of different perspectives have different views on which social factors impact life chances most.

Marxists, for example, believe that social class is, first and foremost, the primary factor in capitalist societies that are built on a class hierarchy.

On the other hand, feminists argue that oppression on the basis of gender is most significant in a patriarchal society.

Life chances theory

To understand things like class, inequality and stratification, it's vital that we understand theories on life chances and how they are affected. This is because different social groups have different life chances, depending on their positions in society.

Life chances: Max Weber

The concept of “life chances” was first introduced by one of the founding fathers of sociology, Max Weber, who talked about how it correlates with social stratification. According to Weber, the higher your socioeconomic status, the better your life chances.

What are some examples of life chances?

There are many areas in which people, especially those from working-class or poorer backgrounds, can experience unequal life chances compared to others. Examples of poor life chances include:

• Lower life expectancy at birth

• Higher infant mortality rates

• Higher rates of illness or disease

• Worse educational outcomes

• Lower levels of income and wealth

• Higher rates of poverty

• Lower quality housing

• Worse working conditions

• Lower prospects of employment and promotion

It is important to note that life chances can be impacted further when social class intersects with other aspects of a person's identity or experience. For instance, the probability of falling into or living in poverty can be exacerbated (heightened) by factors such as gender, ethnicity, disability and so on.

Reduced life chances in one area of an individual's life can hurt their chances in other areas well. The Child Poverty Action Group (2016) found that low incomes and deprivation can directly impact the educational outcomes of children. A report published by the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances (2010) also showed that children's early development, shaped by family background, had the strongest influence on their life chances.

Life chances and inequalities in health

Some of the most serious inequalities people face are in health outcomes. This is because being disadvantaged in other aspects of life can ultimately damage an individual's health.

Health inequalities can be a result of other social inequalities such as income, working conditions, education, standards of living and so on.

People can face health inequalities as a result of lower life chances in other areas.