Understanding Disadvantages in Social Structure

In the context of sociology, the concept of social structure is fundamental to understanding how societies are organized and how institutions function within them. Consider an urban community with various demographic segments based on socioeconomic status, race, and education level. Researchers have observed that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to have less access to educational resources, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty. This phenomenon is often explored through the lens of social stratification. Which of the following theories best explains how social structures can disadvantage individuals based on their social position?