Sociology looks at aspects of societies that transcend the individual - social phenomena such as culture and social structure. It also explores the relationships among the individuals and groups that make up the social world. Areas of concern include: the causes and effects of the distribution of wealth and power in a society; the impact of social categories such as gender, race, and age; the nature of social institutions such as religion, the family, and education; the ways that individuals organize and influence their everyday lives. Sociology enables the student to understand broader social and historical forces and their relation to the lives of individuals.