Agency

Agency refers to the capacity of individuals or groups to make independent choices and act autonomously, influencing their own lives and the broader social structures around them. In sociology, agency contrasts with structural determinism, emphasizing the role of personal initiative within the constraints of social systems. Agency is shaped by factors such as cultural norms, resources, and institutional frameworks, which can enable or limit individuals’ ability to act. Sociologists study agency to understand how people navigate power dynamics, resist oppression, and create social change. This concept is central to discussions of human behavior, social mobility, and the balance between individual freedom and structural constraints.