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Social mobility is the up-and-down movement of persons, households, families, or other groups of individuals between or within a society’s various social class strata. The study of social mobility is one of the central concerns ofsocial stratificationtheorists.Key TakeawaysThe amount of social mobility measures how rigid a society is and how locked into traditional structures.In an open stratification system, characteristics ofachieved statusare rendered some value. However, a high degree of social mobility makes drawing class boundaries difficult because of the fluidity of the engenders.The movement may be vertical or horizontal, and markers such as class and education are utilized to predict and discuss a person’s mobility or group of persons in society (Heckman & Mosso, 2014).
Social mobility is the up-and-down movement of persons, households, families, or other groups of individuals between or within a society’s various social class strata. The study of social mobility is one of the central concerns ofsocial stratificationtheorists.
Key Takeaways
The amount of social mobility measures how rigid a society is and how locked into traditional structures.In an open stratification system, characteristics ofachieved statusare rendered some value. However, a high degree of social mobility makes drawing class boundaries difficult because of the fluidity of the engenders.The movement may be vertical or horizontal, and markers such as class and education are utilized to predict and discuss a person’s mobility or group of persons in society (Heckman & Mosso, 2014).
stacks of gold coins increasing in number with ladders between them to show social mobility in terms of wealth
Types of Social Mobility
Mobility could be categorized based on direction. Horizontal mobility involves an alteration in position without any concomitant alteration in social class. This may involve a change in occupation.
An executive who switches from one company to another while retaining the essential aspects of his/her job description affords a striking example in this regard. Herein, no substantial change has occurred to his/her social class.
Vertical mobility, on the other hand, is twofold. A coal miner who works hard and eventually ends up owning a major mining company is someone who experiences upward mobility.
Conversely, wealthy aristocrats who lose all their property during a violent revolution are victims of downward mobility.
Causes of Social Mobility
Revolutions often result in sudden and massive restructurings of societies. While previously marginalized groups may ascend to power, many who had been long accustomed to wealth, prestige, and power may end up losing everything.The French Revolution, which saw the massacre of many elites and religious leaders, is a notable example.
Revolutions often result in sudden and massive restructurings of societies. While previously marginalized groups may ascend to power, many who had been long accustomed to wealth, prestige, and power may end up losing everything.
The French Revolution, which saw the massacre of many elites and religious leaders, is a notable example.
Migration across international boundaries is another factor that has historically been responsible for upward mobility, especially.People may often leave their homes and travel across oceans to seek better opportunities or flee persecution.Well-known figures such as Golda Meir and Henry Kissinger are examples of individuals who fled their homelands due to persecution and eventually tasted the pinnacle of success in their fields of endeavor.
Migration across international boundaries is another factor that has historically been responsible for upward mobility, especially.
People may often leave their homes and travel across oceans to seek better opportunities or flee persecution.
Well-known figures such as Golda Meir and Henry Kissinger are examples of individuals who fled their homelands due to persecution and eventually tasted the pinnacle of success in their fields of endeavor.
It bears noting, however, that the European conquerors were not the sole beneficiaries of colonialism.
For instance, slavery had existed in Sri Lanka beginning roughly in the second century (long before the colonial era) due to the caste system as well as unpaid debts.
However, thanks to the British colonial officers, the institution of slavery was completely abolished in 1844.
Additionally, the British remunerated workers in cash, eliminated state monopolies and ended compulsory labor service.
Rag-to-riches stories we often hear are not isolated anecdotes. They reflect a trend of upward mobility seen in many free-enterprise democracies.
Only about 20% of millionaires in the United States, for instance, actually inherit their wealth. This means the rest (about 80%) could be described as first-generation, self-made millionaires.
Implications
The loss of life, limb, and property accrued to some ensuing violent revolutions is an evidently adverse result of mobility.
Moreover, the anxiety and isolation associated with upward mobility for many cannot evade attention.
Further Information
References
Heckman, JJ & Mosso, S (August 2014). “The Economics of Human Development and Social Mobility” (PDF). Annual Review of Economics. 6: 689–733. doi:10.1146/annurev-economics-080213-040753
Morrison, Stella (1 Dec. 2021). “How Millionaires Get Rich.” Business News Daily, https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2871-how-most-millionaires-got-rich.html.
OECD (2010), “A Family Affair”, in Economic Policy Reforms 2010: Going for Growth, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/growth-2010-38-en. ISBN 9789264079960
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
Ayesh PereraResearcherB.A, MTS, Harvard UniversityAyesh Perera, a Harvard graduate, has worked as a researcher in psychology and neuroscience under Dr. Kevin Majeres at Harvard Medical School.
Ayesh PereraResearcherB.A, MTS, Harvard University
Ayesh Perera
Researcher
B.A, MTS, Harvard University
Ayesh Perera, a Harvard graduate, has worked as a researcher in psychology and neuroscience under Dr. Kevin Majeres at Harvard Medical School.
