Poststructuralism is a theoretical approach to social science that originated from the field of linguistics and gained prominence in sociology through the work of thinkers like Michel Foucault. Poststructuralists critically examine the underlying structures of meaning and power in society, rejecting the structuralist idea that there are fixed, universal structures that determine social phenomena. Instead, they argue that meaning is fluid, context-dependent, and constantly being constructed and deconstructed through language and discourse. Poststructuralism challenges the notion that absolute truths about the world can be definitively discovered, asserting that multiple interpretations of reality are inevitable and shaped by power relations and social contexts. It emphasises the instability of meaning and the importance of analysing how power operates through language and social practices.