Social Mobility: Crash Course Sociology #26

Summary

The script explores the concept of social mobility in the United States, questioning the reality of the American Dream. It defines intragenerational and intergenerational mobility, and distinguishes between absolute and relative mobility. Despite an overall upward trend in economic terms, recent studies show a decline in absolute mobility, with income growth concentrated at the top, leaving the majority with stagnant incomes. The script also highlights disparities in mobility based on race, gender, and education, with Black Americans and women facing particular challenges. It concludes by reflecting on whether America still offers equal opportunities for social advancement.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The concept of social mobility, or the movement up or down the social ladder, is central to the American Dream of equal opportunity.
• 🔍 There are two main types of social mobility: intragenerational (within a person's lifetime) and intergenerational (across generations).
• 📊 Absolute mobility refers to an individual's progress in an absolute sense, like earning more money than before, while relative mobility compares an individual's progress to others in society.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A study shows that about one-third of US men end up in the same type of job as their fathers, indicating commonality in social class.
• 📈 Historically, there has been an overall upward trend in absolute mobility in the US, with median family income rising significantly from the mid-20th century to the present.
• 📉 Recent trends, however, show a decline in absolute mobility, with economic growth concentrated at the top and less improvement for the rest of the population.
• 💼 Most people tend to remain in the same social class as their parents, with about 80 percent experiencing horizontal social mobility.
• 🏛️ Social mobility is influenced by factors such as race, gender, and education, with disparities in opportunities and outcomes among different groups.
• 👶 Children born into poverty are less likely to escape it, with significant differences in educational attainment and economic stability compared to their more advantaged peers.
• 💼 Marriage and dual incomes can significantly impact social mobility, as two incomes generally facilitate greater wealth accumulation and social advancement.
• 🌐 The diminishing availability of stable, well-paying jobs in industries like manufacturing has contributed to reduced social mobility for less-educated workers.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'rags to riches' and why is it appealing?

The 'rags to riches' concept refers to the idea of someone starting from a poor or humble background and achieving wealth or success. It is appealing because it embodies the notion that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination, which is a core part of the American Dream.

What does the term 'social mobility' mean in the context of the script?

Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or groups to move up or down the social hierarchy. It is typically measured by changes in social position, such as income, occupation, or education, over time or across generations.

What is the difference between intragenerational and intergenerational mobility?

Intragenerational mobility refers to changes in social position within an individual's lifetime, while intergenerational mobility refers to changes in social position across generations, comparing one's social status to that of their parents at the same age.

How is absolute mobility different from relative mobility?

Absolute mobility is about an individual's improvement in social status in absolute terms, such as income or occupation, regardless of others' status. Relative mobility, on the other hand, is about an individual's change in social position compared to the rest of society, taking into account how others are faring.

What does the study on absolute intergenerational mobility reveal about job inheritance in the US?

The study reveals that about one-third of US men end up in the same type of job as their fathers, indicating a significant degree of job inheritance. However, there are also notable percentages of upwardly and downwardly mobile individuals.

What is horizontal social mobility, and how common is it among children in the US?

Horizontal social mobility is when individuals work in a different occupation than their parents but remain in a similar social position. It is quite common, with about 80 percent of children experiencing this type of mobility.

How has the long-term trend in social mobility in the US been, and what factors have contributed to it?

The long-term trend in social mobility in the US has been upwards, with median annual family income rising steadily throughout the 20th century due to factors like industrialization and economic growth.

What recent trends suggest a decline in absolute mobility in the US?

Recent trends suggest a decline in absolute mobility due to economic growth being concentrated at the top of the income distribution, leading to flat family incomes for the majority of the population and less upward mobility.

How does social mobility differ by race and ethnicity in the US?

Social mobility differs by race and ethnicity, with White Americans experiencing more upward mobility than Black Americans. For instance, a higher percentage of Black Americans born at the bottom of the income distribution remain there as adults compared to their White counterparts.

What impact does gender have on social mobility, and how has it changed over time?

Over the last half-century, women have experienced absolute mobility with a narrowing income gap between men and women. However, women born at the bottom of the social class ladder are more likely to remain there than men, and they also experience more downward mobility.

How does marriage influence social mobility, and why?

Marriage can significantly influence social mobility because it often leads to two incomes, which can accelerate wealth accumulation and make it easier to ascend the social ladder. This is particularly true for women, who traditionally have lower earnings than men.