Difference between revisions of "Social status" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Historical Overview== | ==Historical Overview== | ||
| − | Historically, social status has had varying degrees of importance. | + | Historically, social status has had varying degrees of importance. Non-stratified and [[stratified]] societies have different ideas of social status. For example, in a [[stratified]] society, wealth and power divide the people. Those with more [[power]], or those with the ability to influence others, are thought of with a higher social status. In a non-stratified society, the divisions are more dependent upon skills, talents, and intelligence. For instance, a person can have a higher social status if they are a hard working member of their culture who renders indispensable services. |
| − | + | The Indian caste system presents social status as a static standing. One is born into their social status and remains there, neither moving up or down in standing, until death. In other cases, status is of relatively little importance or may not exist at all, as is true with some [[Hunter-Gatherer]] societies such as the [[Khoisan]], some [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous Australian]] societies, and other non-[[social stratification|stratified]] societies. In these cases, status is limited to specific personal relationships. For example, a [[Khoisan|!Kung]] man is expected to take his mother-in-law (his wife's mother) quite seriously; but the mother-in-law has no "status" over anyone but her son-in-law—and only then in certain contexts. | |
| − | + | Different types of government lead to different interpretations of social status. The [[Medici]] Family governed Florence and much of Italy for three centuries, resulting in a type of [[oligarchy]]. In this [[oligarchy]], the [[Medici]] family ran the government through religious, political, and even artistic leadership. The [[Medici]] family were the highest members of this society, with people who work close with the [[Medici]] family considered those with high social status. | |
| + | |||
| + | In a government such as a [[monarchy]], especially an [[absolute monarchy]], one person rules the province. This person has the highest social status in society, and this position is usually static. For example, in the [[United Arab Emirates]], the President of all seven states has total control over the governments of the states. When the president died in 2004, his son took over his position. The [[monarch]] allows people to prosper, but ultimately the development of the governed society is dependent upon the whim of the monarch. His or her choices decide what the country will do. Social status is contingent on the monarch's choice. If the monarch wants the economy to focus more on a specific industry, those people in that industry will have a higher social status. | ||
==Concepts of Social Status== | ==Concepts of Social Status== | ||
Social status is conceptualized in many different ways. For instance, [[ascribed status]] is the status a person is born into, while [[achieved status]] is gained through ones own effort. | Social status is conceptualized in many different ways. For instance, [[ascribed status]] is the status a person is born into, while [[achieved status]] is gained through ones own effort. | ||
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| + | Cultural bonds, family ties, religion, race, gender, and occupation are all factors when examining social status. For example, many societies place higher [[esteem]] on some cultures and races, but not others. Different occupations bring different forms of respect, but occupation is not an indicator of social status. A [[Physician|doctor]] will have higher status than a [[factory]] worker, but in some societies a [[white Anglo-Saxon Protestant]] doctor will have higher status than an [[immigrant]] doctor of [[minority]] religion. | ||
'''Achieved status''' is a [[sociology|sociological]] term denoting a [[social status|social position]] that a person assumes voluntarily which reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Examples of achieved status are being an Olympic athlete, being a criminal, or being a teacher. | '''Achieved status''' is a [[sociology|sociological]] term denoting a [[social status|social position]] that a person assumes voluntarily which reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Examples of achieved status are being an Olympic athlete, being a criminal, or being a teacher. | ||
Revision as of 00:52, 31 May 2006
Social status is the standing one holds in society based off of prestige and honor. Social Status is effected by a number of extraneous factors such as occupation, wealth, education, and family.
Historical Overview
Historically, social status has had varying degrees of importance. Non-stratified and stratified societies have different ideas of social status. For example, in a stratified society, wealth and power divide the people. Those with more power, or those with the ability to influence others, are thought of with a higher social status. In a non-stratified society, the divisions are more dependent upon skills, talents, and intelligence. For instance, a person can have a higher social status if they are a hard working member of their culture who renders indispensable services.
The Indian caste system presents social status as a static standing. One is born into their social status and remains there, neither moving up or down in standing, until death. In other cases, status is of relatively little importance or may not exist at all, as is true with some Hunter-Gatherer societies such as the Khoisan, some Indigenous Australian societies, and other non-stratified societies. In these cases, status is limited to specific personal relationships. For example, a !Kung man is expected to take his mother-in-law (his wife's mother) quite seriously; but the mother-in-law has no "status" over anyone but her son-in-law—and only then in certain contexts.
Different types of government lead to different interpretations of social status. The Medici Family governed Florence and much of Italy for three centuries, resulting in a type of oligarchy. In this oligarchy, the Medici family ran the government through religious, political, and even artistic leadership. The Medici family were the highest members of this society, with people who work close with the Medici family considered those with high social status.
In a government such as a monarchy, especially an absolute monarchy, one person rules the province. This person has the highest social status in society, and this position is usually static. For example, in the United Arab Emirates, the President of all seven states has total control over the governments of the states. When the president died in 2004, his son took over his position. The monarch allows people to prosper, but ultimately the development of the governed society is dependent upon the whim of the monarch. His or her choices decide what the country will do. Social status is contingent on the monarch's choice. If the monarch wants the economy to focus more on a specific industry, those people in that industry will have a higher social status.
Concepts of Social Status
Social status is conceptualized in many different ways. For instance, ascribed status is the status a person is born into, while achieved status is gained through ones own effort.
Cultural bonds, family ties, religion, race, gender, and occupation are all factors when examining social status. For example, many societies place higher esteem on some cultures and races, but not others. Different occupations bring different forms of respect, but occupation is not an indicator of social status. A doctor will have higher status than a factory worker, but in some societies a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant doctor will have higher status than an immigrant doctor of minority religion.
Achieved status is a sociological term denoting a social position that a person assumes voluntarily which reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Examples of achieved status are being an Olympic athlete, being a criminal, or being a teacher.
Ascribed status is a social status a person is given from birth or assumes involuntarily later in life. For example, a person born into a wealthy family has a high ascribed status.
Social position means a position of an individual in a given society and culture. A given position (for example, the occupation of priest) may belong to many individuals. Social position influences social status. One can have several social positions, but only one social status. Status inconsistency is a situation when an individual's social positions have both positive and negative influences on his social status. For example, a teacher has a positive societal image (respect, prestige) which increases his status but may earn little money, which simultaneously decreases his status. A criminal, on the other hand, may have low social position but high income.
Stigma can decrease social status. Stigma is usually attached to a person who is labeled as criminal or deviant. If a person violates a universal social norm, then their identity is stigmatized, which in turn can decrease their social status.
Social status also consists of role-taking. A person has many roles along different social strata and usually occupies several at once. For example, a person can be a parent, a teacher, a friend, and a spouse. Some roles are more important than other roles which can be important in determining social status.
Status is a key idea in social stratification. Max Weber distinguishes status from social class, but some contemporary empirical sociologists fuse the two ideas into "Socio-Economic Status," usually operationalised as a simple index of income, education and occupational prestige.
Books
- Michael Marmot (2004), The Status Syndrome: How Social Standing Affects Our Health and Longevity, Times Books
- Botton, Alain De (2004), Status Anxiety, Hamish Hamilton
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