Note
Achieved or Ascribed For example, a teacher has a higher status than a student because they have achieved the level of qualification and training necessary to qualify for this role. On the other hand, your status as male or female is an ascribed status - it is a status you are given at birth, based on the nature of your biological sex. As can be seen from the above examples, the various statuses we enjoy can be a mixture of ascribed and achieved, although it is evident that in modern societies the majority of our statuses will be achieved in some way. |