status symbol

A status symbol is a perceived visible, external denotation of one's social position and perceived indicator of economic or social status.^[1] Many luxury goods are often considered status symbols. Status symbol is also a sociological term – as part of social and sociological symbolic interactionism – relating to how individuals and groups interact and interpret various cultural symbols.^[2]

Status symbols by region and time

What is considered a status symbol will differ between countries and states, based on the states of their economic and technological development, and common status symbols will change over time. For example, before the invention of the printing press, having a large collection of books would be considered a status symbol. After the advent of the printing press, having books was more common among the average citizen, and the possession of books was less of a status symbol. In the past, pearls and jade were major status symbols. Another common status symbol in the past which is still somewhat present today is heraldry, or one's family name.

Status symbols also indicate the cultural values of a society. For example, in a commercial society, having money or wealth and things that can be bought by wealth, such as cars, houses, or fine clothing, are considered status symbols. In a society that values honor or bravery, a battle scar would be more of a status symbol. The condition of one's body can be a status symbol. In times past, when workers did physical labor outdoors under the sun and often had little food, being pale and fat was a status symbol, indicating wealth and prosperity (through having enough food and not having to do manual labor). Now that workers usually do less-physical work indoors and find little time for exercise, being tanned and thin is often a status symbol in Western culture.

Examples in the United States

The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (March 2009)

This article may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (June 2008)

A Mercedes-Benz luxury sedan is an example of a perceived status symbol in some cultures.^[3]

In American society, possessions perceived as status symbols include:

• Luxury automobiles, yachts, and personal aircraft.
• An expensive watch.
• Expensive clothes, like a tailored pinstripe wool suit.
• A large house or penthouse condo.^[4]
• A high-paying and exclusive job on Wall Street with a white shoe firm in either corporate law, investment banking, or management consulting.
• Country club membership, especially in a large town or city in which there are a limited amount of membership slots.
• Frequent luxury vacations, especially to foreign destinations that require extensive plane travel.
• A marketable degree from a prestigious university, such as the Ivy League in the United States or Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom.
• Private education at an exclusive boarding school.
• Expensive jewelry made from precious metals.
• A fountain pen with rare Brazilian, Indian, or African woods (e.g., ebony, mahogany) or made with precious metals.
• Platinum, gold, silver, and other precious metals in the form of bullion.
• High-grade, natural pearls.
• Rare jewels such as diamonds.
• Vacation homes (owned outright and non-timeshare).
• Vineyards.
• Access to private banking and wealth management services.
• Exotic Italian leather goods, especially those made from calf, ostrich, alligator, or crocodile skin.
• A trophy wife or trophy husband.^[5]

See also

Sociology portal

• Conspicuous consumption
• Social stratification
• Veblen good

References