Status facts for kids

Status is a word that describes a person's or thing's current state, condition, or situation. Think of it like a snapshot of how something is right now.

For example, if you ask about the "status" of a game, you want to know the score and who is winning. If you ask about the "status" of a project, you want to know how far along it is.

What Does Status Mean?

The word "status" helps us understand where someone or something stands in different parts of life. It can be about how people see you, how much money you have, or even what your rights are under the law.

Social Status: Your Place in the Group

Social status is about your position or rank within a group or society. It's how people see you and how much respect or influence you have. This can be based on many things, like your family, your job, your education, or even your hobbies.

• Achieved Status: This is a position you earn through your own efforts and choices. For example, becoming a team captain, a doctor, or a skilled artist are all achieved statuses.
• Ascribed Status: This is a position you are born into or that is given to you without you doing anything to earn it. Being a prince or princess, or being part of a certain family, are examples of ascribed status.

Economic Status: Money and Resources

Economic status refers to a person's financial situation. It's about how much money and wealth someone has, and what kind of resources they can access. This can include their income, savings, and the value of their possessions.

• People with higher economic status often have more opportunities, like better education or healthcare.
• Economic status can change over time as people earn more money, save, or invest.

Legal Status: What the Law Says

Legal status describes a person's rights and duties as defined by the law. It determines what you are allowed to do and what responsibilities you have.

• For example, a person's legal status might be "citizen," "resident," or "minor." Each of these comes with different rights and rules.
• When you turn 18, your legal status changes from a "minor" to an "adult," giving you new rights like voting or signing contracts.

Status Quo: Keeping Things the Same

The term "status quo" comes from Latin and means "the existing state of affairs." It refers to how things are right now, especially when people want to keep them that way.

• If someone wants to "maintain the status quo," they want to prevent changes and keep things as they are.
• Sometimes, people fight to change the status quo because they believe the current situation is unfair or needs improvement.

Status Symbols: Showing Your Status

A status symbol is something that people own or do that shows their social or economic standing to others. These are often things that are expensive, rare, or hard to get, and they signal a certain level of success or importance.

• Examples of status symbols can include luxury cars, designer clothes, large homes, or even certain types of education.
• What counts as a status symbol can change over time and vary between different cultures.

See also

In Spanish: Estatus para niños