ascription

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ascription In allocating roles and statuses, or imputing allegedly natural behaviours, cultures make varying use of kinship, age, sex, and ethnicity. Such ascribed characteristics cannot be changed by individual effort, although social movements and states attempt periodically to challenge the disadvantages and stereotypes arising from nepotism, ageism, sexism, and racism. See also PARSONS, TALCOTT; STATUS, ACHIEVED.

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