Ascribed status is a social position assigned to an individual without regard for their unique talents, efforts, or desires, based often on characteristics like race, gender, and family background. It contrasts with achieved status, which is earned based on individual effort.
Related terms
Achieved Status: A social position that a person earns based on personal effort and merit.
Social Stratification: The ranking of individuals and groups in any given society, which can be influenced by both ascribed and achieved statuses.
Role Expectation: The behavior and actions expected from someone occupying a particular status within a society