The Concept of Status
The word "status" was coined by sociologists to describe one's place within a formal social system. It denotes who or what one is, and it can be delegated or accomplished. An individual is deemed not to have contributed to achieving an ascribed status where it is granted, while an achieved status results from personal feedback, such as being a teenager, a window, an American, or a son.
Multiple Statuses
An individual can have multiple statuses at any given time, each with its own set of rights, responsibilities, and obligations. Whether obtained or granted, each group is distinct and contributes to the overall personality of an individual. Both ascribed and achieved statuses have different characteristics, which distinguish each from the other although some of them are a mixture of ascription and achievement. Ascribed status is accorded by the society to an individual. Thus, one does not make any effort towards it. On the other hand, achieved status is resultant of ones' effort, which is interplay of personal capacities and abilities. These include being an honorable student, medic, musician, or a writer. Thus, an ascribed is assigned and does not require any precondition.
Characteristics of Ascribed and Achieved Status
Ascribed status also exhibits close connection with local traditions, customs and cultural factors that define a society. In this plight, it could be said to be a tradition-oriented status. In most cases, it is predicated on natural qualities such as sex, age, kinship, and race, thus, more stable (Macionis, 2015). To the contrast, achieved status is a product of personal accomplishments usually from a competitive race. Thus, it is not based on customary bindings and traditions. Unlike the latter, it is more indefinite and is self-changing based on capacities and abilities.
Respect and Duties
Additionally, an ascribed status confers some respect in traditional society because of the role and authority that comes from it. However, these duties are indefinite and unascertainable. In the contemporary society, achieved status is important because it vests upon personal qualities. The roles and duties that arise from are definite because they are based on objective analysis of one's capacities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one's status is pegged on a continuum of factors that together dictate one's personality. It is considered that ascribed status helps to heal the disabilities of achieved status. In this sense, two statuses are mutually informing as each could help to acquire some opportunity and later one's prestige. It is thus, critical for one to pay attention for their statuses as it promotes personal development.
References
Macionis, J. J. (2015). Social Problems, Books a la Carte Edition Plus.
