1. 5. Social Mobility

2. Social Mobility Ability to move between social classes 3 sub-types –Horizontal: change in occupation w/in the same social class (teacher->sales rep) –Vertical: a change in occupation that causes an upward/downward move in social class (Dr.->Frycook) –Intergenerational: upward/downward social class move from one generation to the next (plumber's daughter->lawyer)

3. Open Class Systems AKA meritocracies: status/social class is earned based on merit and individual effort –Most industrial nations fall into this category

5. Trends in Intergenerational Mobility Big increase in upward mobility during the 20 th century (likely due to increase accessibility to higher education, etc) 21 st century- maintaining social class; little vertical mobility

6. Consequences of Vertical Mobility Symbolic Interactionist Theory: –upward vertical mobility = increase in self esteem –Downward vertical mobility = decrease in self esteem (strongly related to depression and suicide)

7. Closed Class Systems Little or no vertical mobility; status/social class is usually ascribed- assigned at birth; usually in non-industrial societies Most stringent: Indian Caste System –Class is determined at birth; you can only marry w/in your caste; NO mobility- NO exceptions –Illegal in India, but tied to Hindu religion and still practiced by 85%