Social mobility: Definition and types; horizontal mobility; vertical mobility; intra and intergenerational mobility; consequences of social mobility

Social mobility: Definition and types; horizontal mobility; vertical mobility; intra and intergenerational mobility; consequences of social mobility

Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or groups to move within or between social strata in a society; types include upward mobility (advancing to a higher social status), downward mobility (moving to a lower social status), and intergenerational mobility (changes in social status between generations).

< previous page

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups from one social position to another over time. It can be horizontal or vertical.

Horizontal Mobility

  • Movement between social positions on the same level.

  • Doesn't alter social status or class.

  • Eg. Changing jobs at same designation.

Vertical Mobility

  • Upward - gaining higher status

  • Downward - losing status

Intragenerational Mobility

  • Refers to social mobility within a person's lifetime.

Intergenerational Mobility

  • Compares mobility between generations - between parents and children.

Consequences of Mobility

  • For Individuals: Rise or decline in economic resources, occupation, lifestyle.

  • For Society: Indicates openness and equality of opportunity.

  • Issues of meritocracy vs ascription in mobility patterns.

  • Possible class conflicts due to inequality in opportunities.

Overall social mobility indicates the extent of social fluidity and flexibility in movements between different class and statuses reflecting openness of the stratification system.

< previous page