Social Mobility Systems

Social mobility
• Social mobility is the horizontal or vertical
movement from one social status to another by
individuals or groups.
Intragenerational mobility
• An intragenerational mobility specifies the vertical
or horizontal movement of social status in the
course of one’s lifespan. A man who was poor as a
child but became rich as an adult is an example of
this.
Intragenerational mobility
• intergenerational mobility refers to the movement
of social status across several generations. In this
case, a man may be able to live a high-status, lavish
life because of the hardwork of his poor
grandparents as blue-collared workers and the
perseverance of his middle-class parents to finish a
college degree, eventually uplifting the financial
status of their family and allowing their children to
live better lives.
Social mobility system
• A social mobility system may be an open or closed
system. As expected, an open system is less
constrictive compared to a closed one. Below are
their descriptions.
Types of social mobility
system
Open system

• This is composed of achieved statuses where social

status is gained through merit or effort.
• Its members have access to different resources
depending upon their social status.
• No formal restrictions on marriage across classes is
emphasized.
• Social mobility is possible.
Closed system
• This is composed of ascribed statuses where societal
membership is defined upon or prior to birth.
• Its members strictly follow spiritual and cultural norms
as a way of life.
• Mobility from one group to another is not possible.
• Decision-making is also based on cultural and spiritual
norms.
• At present, it is greatly implemented in some parts of
India.
Social inequality
• Inequality between open and closed systems must
be seen as different in terms of underlying factors.
Inequalities in an open system would involve
socioeconomic concerns.