Humans are social creatures, and as members of society, they fulfill various roles. These roles start within the family, where a person may be a son, brother, husband, or father, and extend to the larger society, where they take on the role of a responsible citizen. Each role has a specific status, which is the set of behaviors expected to be associated with that role. The distinction between role and status is essential, and this article will explore these differences.
A doctor in society has both a status and a role to fulfill. The role consists of the duties and responsibilities that come with the position, while the status is the prestige or lack thereof attached to the position. For instance, a doctor is considered a protector and someone who is honored by society because of their role.
Key Takeaways
- Status is the position a person holds in a societal system, sometimes used synonymously with honor and prestige associated with certain roles.
- There are two types of statuses: ascribed and achieved. Ascribed status is one a person gets by virtue of their birth, while achieved status is earned through effort and hard work.
- Role refers to the duties and responsibilities a person has in their family and society, while status refers to the rank a person holds in a social hierarchy.
