Logo
Logo
Log inSign up
Logo

Tools

AI Concept MapsAI Mind MapsAI Study NotesAI FlashcardsAI Quizzes

Resources

BlogTemplate

Info

PricingFAQTeam

info@algoreducation.com

Corso Castelfidardo 30A, Torino (TO), Italy

Algor Lab S.r.l. - Startup Innovativa - P.IVA IT12537010014

Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyTerms and Conditions

Social Mobility: A Measure of Equality and Opportunity

Social mobility, a key sociological concept, involves the movement within social strata due to education, employment, and wealth. It's crucial for societal well-being, influencing social structure and economic vitality. The text delves into the dynamics of social mobility, its types—absolute and relative—and the role of cultural capital. It also discusses the UK's mobility patterns and the methodological challenges in studying this phenomenon.

see more
Open map in editor

1

4

Open map in editor

Want to create maps from your material?

Enter text, upload a photo, or audio to Algor. In a few seconds, Algorino will transform it into a conceptual map, summary, and much more!

Try Algor

Learn with Algor Education flashcards

Click on each Card to learn more about the topic

1

Factors influencing social mobility

Click to check the answer

Education, employment, wealth impact individuals' movement within social hierarchy.

2

Intragenerational vs. Intergenerational mobility

Click to check the answer

Intragenerational occurs within a person's life, intergenerational happens from parents to children.

3

Social mobility's role in societal openness

Click to check the answer

Reflects class permeability, indicates equality of opportunity and societal inclusiveness.

4

Entrenched disparities may lead to diminished ______ to resources, ______, and jobs for the lower classes.

Click to check the answer

access education

5

Definition of Absolute Mobility

Click to check the answer

Change in social status due to economic growth or societal shifts, not compared to others.

6

Measurement of Relative Mobility

Click to check the answer

Likelihood of social movement compared to peers or parental status.

7

Over the last ______, the UK has seen significant absolute mobility due to changes in the ______.

Click to check the answer

century job market

8

In the UK, studies on intergenerational mobility often concentrate on the ______'s occupation, potentially overlooking ______'s social mobility.

Click to check the answer

father women

9

Social mobility as a meritocracy indicator

Click to check the answer

Reflects extent to which effort and ability, rather than background, determine success.

10

Impact of high social mobility on social stability

Click to check the answer

Reduces social inequality effects, enhances fairness, and promotes inclusivity, leading to stability.

11

The ______ and ______ of cultural capital are key to grasping the subtleties of social mobility and how one can use cultural assets to advance their socioeconomic status.

Click to check the answer

accumulation transmission

12

Short-range vs. long-range mobility - David Glass

Click to check the answer

Glass's 1950s study found short-range social mobility more common than long-range, altering perceptions of class fluidity.

13

Affluent Worker Study - Class and Income

Click to check the answer

Lockwood and Goldthorpe's 1960s study challenged the idea that higher income directly equates to altered class consciousness.

14

Oxford Social Mobility Survey - Absolute vs. Relative Mobility

Click to check the answer

Goldthorpe's survey distinguished high absolute mobility, indicating many people change classes, from stagnant relative mobility, suggesting class structure remains unchanged.

15

Research often overlooks the ______, ethnic minorities, and the varying effects of ______ and ______ education on social mobility.

Click to check the answer

experiences of women private public

Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

Similar Contents

Other

Theoretical Frameworks in the Study of Welfare Provision

View document

Other

Sociological Investigations into Crime

View document

Other

Poverty and Wealth: A Sociological Perspective

View document

Other

The Consequences of Poverty

View document

Exploring the Dynamics of Social Mobility

Social mobility is a central concept in sociology that examines the movements of individuals or groups within or between social strata in a society. It encompasses the changes in social status that occur due to factors such as education, employment, and wealth, and can take place within a person's lifetime (intragenerational mobility) or from one generation to the next (intergenerational mobility). Social mobility is indicative of the permeability of social classes and is often used as a measure of a society's openness and the equality of opportunities afforded to its citizens.
Multi-ethnic group of people of different ages on a stone staircase, with a young Hispanic man in the foreground and an elderly African man at the top.

Consequences of Restricted Social Mobility

When social mobility is constrained, it suggests the presence of a stratified society with entrenched class divisions. This can lead to the perpetuation of economic and social inequalities, as individuals have limited ability to alter their socioeconomic status. The persistence of such disparities can result in reduced access to resources, education, and employment for lower social classes, and can hinder overall societal progress by not fully utilizing the potential of all its members.

Distinguishing Between Absolute and Relative Social Mobility

Social mobility is categorized into two types: absolute and relative. Absolute mobility refers to the total number of people who experience a change in social status, often influenced by economic growth or societal shifts that create new opportunities. Relative mobility, in contrast, is concerned with the likelihood of social ascent or descent in relation to others within the social hierarchy, and is often measured by comparing the social status of individuals to that of their peers or parents.

Social Mobility Patterns in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has experienced considerable absolute mobility over the last century, largely due to economic transformations that have altered the job market. Despite this, relative mobility has been less pronounced, indicating that the chances of social ascent for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have not significantly improved. Intergenerational mobility studies in the UK have traditionally focused on paternal occupation, which may not accurately reflect the social mobility of women and could benefit from more gender-inclusive research approaches.

The Importance of Social Mobility for Societal Well-being

Social mobility is essential for a healthy society as it influences social structure, individual life chances, and economic vitality. It serves as a barometer for the extent to which a person's background determines their future, promoting a meritocratic system where effort and ability are rewarded. High levels of social mobility can lead to greater social stability by mitigating the effects of social inequality and fostering a sense of fairness and inclusivity among the populace.

The Influence of Cultural Capital on Social Mobility

Cultural capital, which includes education, language, and social networks, is a critical factor in achieving social mobility. It equips individuals with the tools necessary to navigate social hierarchies and can enhance one's social standing and influence. The accumulation and transmission of cultural capital are integral to understanding the nuances of social mobility and the ways in which individuals can leverage cultural assets to improve their socioeconomic position.

Pivotal Research and Discussions on Social Mobility

Seminal studies have significantly shaped the discourse on social mobility. David Glass's investigation in the 1950s highlighted the prevalence of short-range over long-range mobility. The Affluent Worker Study by Lockwood and Goldthorpe in the 1960s questioned the direct correlation between income and class consciousness. Goldthorpe's later work, the Oxford Social Mobility Survey, underscored the distinction between high absolute mobility and stagnant relative mobility, prompting ongoing scholarly debate. Critics such as Geoff Payne and Peter Saunders have advocated for a more nuanced perspective that accounts for occupational shifts and individual merit.

Methodological Challenges in Assessing Social Mobility

Measuring social mobility is fraught with methodological difficulties, including the selection of appropriate indicators for class, which may not fully reflect an individual's socioeconomic status. Traditional studies have often neglected the experiences of women, ethnic minorities, and the differential impacts of private and public education on mobility. These challenges highlight the need for more inclusive and sophisticated research methods to accurately assess and understand the complexities of social mobility.