1. Sociologists also make a distinction between 'natural inequalities between people' and ‘inequalities in their condition of existence’. The first types of inequalities are also known as physical inequalities, by which we mean differences of age, health, bodily strength and the qualities of the mind. But these inequalities are small in comparison to social inequalities.

2. Sociologists are concerned with a study of social inequalities. Natural inequalities may affect the performance of individuals. There may be a factor accounting for the differences between individuals belonging to the same social category. But social inequalities are founded on principles that are different from those involved in physical inequalities.

3. In theoretical terms, the existence of difference between two entities does not imply that they are unequal. But the opposite is not true. The existence of inequality necessarily implies the existence of difference between them, and this difference becomes the basis of inequality. Therefore, we may say that difference and inequality deal with different things, but in reality, they are inter-connected.

4. Differences between things are attached to different values, leading to their unequal position in society. We have earlier said that men and women are different, and they are complementary as well. Yet, they are ranked.

5. Women have a status inferior to men in most societies. Sometimes, this also includes matrilineal societies, where men take all the important decisions, in spite of the fact that property is transmitted in the female line. Similarly, in spite of the complementariness of carpenters and weavers, they are ranked differently in an Indian village. Sociologists say that both difference and inequality are universal.