Given below are two statements:

Statement I: Social positions, which one is born into or one acquires without one’s own effort, is known as Ascribed Status.

Statement II: Achieved status is based on and defined by what people do or acquire through their own effort.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

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Correct option is A

Both Statement I and Statement II are true

• Statement I: "Social positions, which one is born into or one acquires without one’s own effort, is known as Ascribed Status."
• This statement is true. Ascribed status refers to a social position that an individual is born into or acquires involuntarily, such as race, ethnicity, gender, and family background. These statuses are not chosen or earned by the individual, but rather are assigned at birth or through social circumstances outside of personal control.
• Statement II: "Achieved status is based on and defined by what people do or acquire through their own effort."
• This statement is also true. Achieved status refers to a social position that an individual earns or chooses based on their actions, efforts, and achievements, such as educational attainment, career choice, or personal accomplishments. Unlike ascribed status, achieved status is the result of personal choices and efforts.

Thus, both statements are correct. Ascribed status is associated with characteristics beyond personal control, while achieved status depends on the individual’s actions and efforts.

Information Booster:

1. Ascribed Status: This is a status that one is born into and is not chosen or earned, such as race, gender, and social class at birth. It is often fixed and difficult to change.
2. Achieved Status: This status is earned through personal effort, actions, and choices. Examples include professional success, educational achievements, or personal accomplishments in any given area.
3. Social Mobility: The concept of achieved status is often linked to social mobility, which refers to the ability to move up or down the social ladder through efforts like education, career advancements, or skill development.
4. Life Chances: The opportunities one has in life, such as access to education, healthcare, and employment, can be influenced by ascribed status, but achieved status can alter those opportunities through personal effort.
5. In many societies, both ascribed and achieved statuses interact, shaping individuals' social position, opportunities, and relationships.

Additional Information:

• Ascribed status is often associated with societal inequalities because people born into certain social positions may face advantages or disadvantages based on characteristics like ethnicity, gender, or family background.
• Achieved status, on the other hand, emphasizes individualism and personal responsibility, where one can improve their position in society through effort and hard work, although structural inequalities can still impact one’s ability to achieve.