Social mobility refers to a person’s ability to move up or down the social hierarchy. It depends on what society values most, with rigid structures being less common in the Western world. Even animals organize themselves into a social hierarchy. Personal and family happiness may be more important than social standing.
In a society that defines itself with some kind of status hierarchy, people naturally move up and down the system throughout their lives. Social mobility refers to the distance and ease with which a person can move in the social system. People seeking power and influence, or simply an easier or more luxurious lifestyle, are often referred to as “upward mobile.” The struggle for power can also come with its own risks, however, and in societies where mobility is extremely important, it is often much easier to lose social status than to gain it.
Social mobility often depends on what society values the most. If it’s a society driven by money and possessions, the top ranks will be owned by those with the most money or the biggest house. Corporations rarely value a single trait or concept; if the largest house on the block is found to be owned by drug dealers in a neighborhood that despises drug use, chances are the owner will lose his or her social status.
While in many cultures a person’s position is primarily determined by achievements, some places have much more rigid structures based on status across generations. In the traditional caste system of India, social standing is determined by the historical rank, or caste, of the family and can rarely be changed. Mobility is very limited in areas with strict social structures, as marriage is often prohibited or frowned upon between people of widely differing social status.
Rigid social structures have become less common since the mid-20th century. In the Western world, human beings have moved away from the complicated concepts of nobility and moved towards democratic ideals where every citizen has equal privileges under the law. While this began as a political concept, it quickly permeated many societies and significantly eased the standards of social mobility. In the early 20th century, King Edward VIII of England was forced to abdicate to marry a woman of a different social class; in 20, by contrast, Prince Charles of England was able to marry an ordinary person without any serious public outcry.
While many social standards may have been relaxed, they certainly haven’t gone away. A visit to any high school cafeteria will be a quick and easy reminder that people are often categorized into different ranks and social groups based on money, looks, and interests. Adults in the modern world don’t fare much better off than teenagers; status is still largely determined by occupation, economic position, or values.
Even among animals, society organizes itself into a social hierarchy based on strength and value to the community. The relative fluidity of wealth and the dissipation of defined social classes has somewhat diminished the rigid rules that guide mobility, but it can often lead to confusion as many social rules are now unspoken and difficult to understand. The world of social mobility can be quite frustrating and confusing leading many to suggest that it is more important to focus on personal and family happiness rather than social standing.
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