Social status is a person’s status, determined by his origin, position, economic level, gender. Thus, the individual can be reckoned with any class. The social status of a person is divided into several levels. Consider them all.
A born position is a certain status a person receives at birth. For example, it may be race, gender or nationality. A born status remains with a person throughout his life, that is, he does not change. However, there are some exceptions. For example, the status of a member of the royal family, which is given at birth, can be canceled at the end of the monarchy.
Acquired social status is characterized by mobility. This is a position, post, financial level achieved by one’s own efforts. For example, a person from a poor family opens his own business and creates capital for himself. Or the individual gets a promotion.
There is also a prescribed provision. That is, this is the status that a person receives regardless of his actions and desires. For example, this may be a social position, determined by origin or age. The status in question can be either acquired or congenital.
As already mentioned, the social status of a person is characterized by mobility. That is, an individual can either climb the social ladder or go down it. Such mobility has a positive effect on society. This gives rise to healthy competition, the emergence of professionals.
A person’s social mobility is influenced by many factors. Consider the main ones. It is possible to determine whether an individual will advance along the social ladder, given his origin, educational level, and even the characteristics of his place of residence. Naturally, to change his status, a person must have certain personal qualities. In particular, this is an intellectual level, perseverance in achieving their goals, the desire to climb the social ladder.
In developed countries, the middle class usually prevails. In Russia, 70% of people are in the lowest socio-economic position. This includes not only people with low-paid jobs, but also people with disabilities, senior citizens and so on.
There is also such a thing as incompatibility of statuses. This happens if the socio-economic situation of a person in a group is higher than that of another. This situation also occurs when the status rights of one individual interfere with the fulfillment of the duties of another. For example, a researcher had to change his activities and get a job in a store, or an elderly person executes assignments that are more intended for students.
The situation in society is determined not only by position or financial condition, but also by age, gender, skills, and education. In addition, the criteria for awarding a particular person a certain status depend on the traditions of a particular country. People may belong to the same groups, but at the same time their social status can be very different. For example, one person may be the head of the company, and all the rest - only ordinary workers.
So to summarize. From birth, each of us is awarded a certain social status. Each individual stands on some step of the hierarchical ladder in question. Social status is determined not only by position and earnings, as is often considered, but also by age, origin, gender, education, skills and much more.