Which term is used for enduring patterns of social relationships?

The term "social structures" is used to describe enduring patterns of social relationships within a society. Social structures encompass the organized, established ways in which societies categorize and interact with their members. This includes the roles people play, the institutions they are part of (such as family, education, and government), and the norms and expectations that guide behavior in these various contexts.

By focusing on long-lasting patterns, social structures highlight how relationships between individuals and groups are interrelated over time, providing a framework for analyzing societal organization and dynamics. Understanding social structures is crucial for examining how power, resources, and opportunities are distributed and how these relationships shape individual experiences and societal outcomes.

Other options, while related concepts, do not specifically refer to the enduring patterns in the same way. "Social groups" primarily focus on collections of individuals who interact regularly, "social networks" emphasize the connections and communications among individuals, and "social systems" refer to broader patterns of social organization but may not capture the enduring relationships as distinctly as social structures do.