Social status (e.g., race or gender) that people have little or no choice about occupying.

a social position a person receives at birth or assumes involuntarily later in life

A social position that is conferred on a person at birth or received involuntarily later in life.

social standing or prestige which is the result of inheritance or hereditary factors (cf. achieved status).

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. In contrast, an achieved status is a social position a person takes on voluntarily that reflects personal ability and merit.