What is occupational-prestige?
‘Occupational Prestige’ refers to the fact that particular positions hold a certain prestige in the minds of the populace and they would hold the people occupying those positions in high regard irrespective of that individual’s personal qualities.
The public perception of occupational prestige tends to change over time due to several factors. For example, at the beginning of plays and theatre, female actors were looked upon as immoral women due to their roles. However, this is in stark contrast to the admiration and stardom given to female actors today.
There have been instances of individuals misusing occupational prestige. A famous example is Frank Abagnale Jr. who flew more than a million miles by pretending to be a Pan American World Airways pilot.