a status in which a person is born into and has no control over; such as being born in a certain caste in India, with no chance of social mobility into a higher station; an example is Prince Charles of England, who was born into his current status, with no control over it; we are all born somewhat into ascribed statuses which we can’t control – such as being born the first son, or daughter, or first grandchild in a generation, or only child, etc.

My Father Had No Children