Age Grade

Age Grade refers to a social category or group within a society that individuals pass through as they age, often associated with specific roles, responsibilities, or statuses. Age grades are typically marked by cultural rituals, formal ceremonies, or informal recognition, signifying transitions such as childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and elderhood. Common in traditional and tribal societies, age grades often involve collective experiences that shape identity and social cohesion. Sociologists study age grades to understand how societies structure life stages, assign roles, and maintain social order. This concept is essential in analyzing intergenerational relationships, socialization processes, and cultural variations in defining the human lifecycle.