Page 171 - Sociology and You

Chapter 5 Social Structure and Society
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school athlete related to various other statuses. There are two basic types of social statuses—ascribed and achieved.
What is an ascribed status? An ascribed status is neither earned nor chosen; it is assigned to us. At birth, an infant is either a male or a fe- male. We do not choose our gender. Age is another example of an ascribed social status. In some societies, religion and so- cial class are ascribed by the family of birth. If you were born into a lower-class home in India, for example, you would not be permitted to rise to a higher social
class.
How is status achieved? An achieved status is earned or chosen. Achieving statuses is possible where people have some degree of control and choice. In most modern societies, for
Pictured is an African Masai man in traditional clothes. Do you think that his clothing reflects an ascribed or an achieved status?
Figure 5.1 The Interrelationships of Social Statuses. Social statuses do not exist in isolation. All statuses are interrelated with other statuses.
ascribed status
a position that is neither earned nor chosen but assigned
achieved status
a position that is earned or chosen