Discuss social mobility. What are the three forms of mobility covered in the text? How does social mobility relate to the "American dream"? How likely is upward social mobility into a different social class? What about downward mobility?

Question

What is the primary determination of upward social class mobility? For whom is upward mobility most possible?
What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Social mobility refers to movement from one class to another. The three forms are intergenerational – from one generation to the next; intragenerational – within people's lifetimes; and structural – a general upward trend of the entire society. The "American dream" is that everyone has an equal opportunity to pull themselves up, but in reality it is more likely that people are, or are not, born into opportunity. Upward social mobility into a different class is not very likely, although mobility within the same class or an increase in income is not uncommon as people move up or down a little bit from the position of their parents. Downward mobility is not uncommon now, with higher-paying manufacturing jobs disappearing, and being replaced by lower-paying service jobs. In addition many Americans are under-employed, qualified for positions at higher level than the ones they actually have. Temporary and part-time jobs are also a common way to move down, because of lower pay and the lack of benefits. The primary determinant of people's social class is their parents' class. Upward mobility is most possible for those whose parents have higher income, Whites, and men.