Which of the following will you categories as achieved status.?
a) Sex
b) Age
c) Marital
d) Caste
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is c) Marital Status.
Explanation:
Achieved status refers to a social position that an individual acquires or earns through their actions, choices, and efforts. It is not something one is born with but rather something that results from personal achievement or decisions. In contrast, ascribed status refers to a social position that an individual is assigned at birth, based on factors such as sex, age, and caste, over which they have little control.
Here’s why Marital Status is categorized as an achieved status:
- Marital Status (Achieved Status): Marital status refers to whether an individual is married, single, divorced, or widowed. This is an achieved status because it is determined by personal choices, decisions, and circumstances. For instance, a person can choose to marry, get divorced, or remain single based on their preferences or life experiences. The transition from one marital status to another involves personal actions and decisions, hence it is considered an achieved status.
Now, let’s discuss why the other options are ascribed statuses:
- Sex (Ascribed Status): Sex (or gender) refers to whether someone is male or female, and it is a status assigned at birth. It is not something an individual can choose or change based on personal effort, making it an ascribed status. It is assigned based on biological characteristics and is beyond an individual’s control.
- Age (Ascribed Status): Age is another ascribed status because it is determined by the year of birth and is not something individuals have control over. Age influences certain societal expectations, but an individual cannot choose or alter their age.
- Caste (Ascribed Status): Caste is an inherited status in many societies, particularly in India, where it is traditionally based on the family or community a person is born into. People cannot change their caste, making it an ascribed status.
In conclusion, marital status is the only option here that can be classified as an achieved status, because it is based on the individual’s decisions and life circumstances, while the others (sex, age, and caste) are inherited and beyond personal control.