Social mobility is the extent to which an individual’s social group can advance in status socially within the individual’s lifetime. This change occurs through social hierarchy or stratification either upwards or downwards within the rank system. This change is majorly based on success or other uncontrollable factors. This change of social class is either ascribed or achieved depending on the different educational achievement, race, religion, occupation, income, political class and gender. (Social Mobility, 2009)
The similarities in social movement of our age, the parent age and the grandparent age is that there was and there is the freedom to move up and down the social ladder based on the merits of education levels, levels of income, differences in occupation, areas of residence, political involvement and consumption patterns. The other similarity is that the means the different generations have used to move up on the social ladder include working harder in the current occupation to increase the levels of earning that brings about more social influence thus rise in social class. It is also achieved through getting a higher class job that will place the individual in a higher class; an example in this is the move from a cleaner to an accountant job.
The other similarity in class movement in the three generations is that the capital/force that either restricts an individual in one class or helps the individual move to a higher social class include the cultural, economic and or social command over the social class they belong to. (Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), 2006)
One difference in the social mobility of my generation, the parent and the grand parent generation is that race and color was an issue in social class attainment where for example black people were considered to be of a lower social class. However in part of the parent generation and in the current generation this view has changed and often if not at all times race and color are not considered in social placement. In our grandparent generation and a part of the parent generation gender formed a class system. Here women were seen to be lower in achievement and influence therefore placing them in a lower class as compared to men. (Social Mobility, 2009)
However in a pert f the parent generation and the current generation gender is not a determinant to class as high levels of gender equality have been achieved placing both men and women at the same level in dictating their class politically, economically and socially. There is a difference in the level of command. Relation with seniors on equal terms has improved reasoning skills and ability to achieve more in the depending on if the given generation was brought up under a concerted cultivation style rather than under natural growth. This is common with the current generation especially those brought up by middle class parents. (Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), 2006)
There is a difference in the level of absolute mobility where my parents’ generation was better placed than that of my grandparents and mine is better than the previous two. This is the case because of structural changes in occupation and increased opportunities for choice. The lower levels of relative mobility due to the uniformity of the labor force, achievement based on merit and the high information and communication technology has given more space for more social mobility to the current generation than the parent and the grandparent generation. (Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), 2006)
The high levels of structural mobility and exchange mobility that are as a result of mobility being absolutely based on achievement rather than ascription has given more opportunity for social movement to the current generation than to the parent and the grandparent age. The high levels of education attained in the current generation as compared to the previous two creates more skills for class advancement both in the personal and the public spheres. This is because there are more opportunities especially from the growth in the information and technology field. (Ed. Taylor et al, 1995)
The high levels of networking in the current age as compared to the previous generations create more room for social movement. This is as a result of the increased communication, transportation, international dealings and exchange of labor force. The current social system is absolute to movement that makes the rates of social movement higher in the current generation with reference to the variables of movement than in the previous generations that is characteristic with subordinate and dominant groups. These comparisons and contrasts place the current generation in a better position to move upward than downwards socially as a result of the nonselective movement and higher opportunities for movement. (Social Mobility, 2009)
These differences in social mobility are as a result of increased number of economic opportunities that form a major source of social mobility. The changing social structures especially in the occupational field have also brought about the high levels of social mobility. The advancement in information, communication and transport sector has also led to the increased level of social mobility. Gender and race based equality is also a determining factor to the high levels of social mobility in the current generation. Other factors leading to the increase include the high networking, structural and exchange mobility in the current society. The changes have come into place as a result of the social changes that come together with the structural and infrastructural changes in the society. (Ed. Taylor et al, 1995)
These changes have had felt impacts on the attitudes and behaviors in that in the current society of global interconnectedness opportunities are global including market, education, employment and sources of information. This has led to behavior change to suit the international code and attitudes considerate of the influence of others and factors in the wider society. The changes that these differences have brought into my life from my young age is that, I have learnt to strive for success as opposed to ascription that is being shaped out as a measure of the social status of an individual. (Social Mobility, 2009)
In summary the upwardly or downwardly mobility of a person relies on the basic factors of social movement that are social, cultural, or economic. The economic capital that is the measure of command over economic wealth like money and other assets, the social capital that is the benefit of group membership, social networks, support of other people and the social relationships held. The cultural aspects that make a person mobile include skills, education and other knowledge held.
List of Reference
Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). (2006). Institute for Social Science Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Social Mobility. (2009). Sociology Themes and Perspectives: Michael Haralambos Taylor et al. (Ed,).
(1995). Sociology in Focus. Causeway. Web.