The concept of "social mobility" was first introduced by P. Sorokin. What it is? Social mobility is the movement of an individual along a hierarchical ladder. It can be either upward or downward. Such social displacement is divided into two types. Intergenerational mobility is the process of moving up the hierarchy in relation to parents. For example, a person from a poor family becomes a businessman, or the son of scientists chooses physical labor. Intra-generational mobility means a change in status during the life of an individual. For example, this may be a promotion or a change in profession.
Social mobility is also classified by type. Two main levels can be distinguished here. Vertical mobility means moving from one class to another. For example, a person rises, or vice versa down the career ladder. Horizontal social mobility is the movement from one social group to another without changing status. For example, a person changes religion or moves to another country.
Social mobility and its types can relate both to group movements along the hierarchical ladder, and to individual ones. Status changes are also classified into different types. Mobility can be organized. It occurs with the filing of the state, with the consent of the person or against his will. Structural mobility is caused by changes in the structure of society. Often it happens without the consent of people.
Let us consider in more detail such a concept as vertical social mobility and its types. Two main indicators are distinguished here - distance and volume of movement along the hierarchical ladder. In the first case, the number of steps that a person had to step over is taken into account. Normal distance is a gradual movement along the social ladder. In most cases, a person’s career growth is carried out in this way. However, there is an abnormal distance. It is characterized by a sharp rise or fall along the social ladder.
Movement volume is the number of people who climbed or descended the vertical ladder over a certain time period. When can group mobility occur? These can be revolutions, civil wars, the creation of an empire, the change of political regimes, peasant uprisings, military coups and much more.
So, we examined what social mobility and its types are. Let's try to understand, due to what factors the movement along the hierarchical ladder occurs. Vertical mobility directly depends on the social status of the family, place of residence, nationality, education received, educational level, physical and mental data. Young people usually climb the professional, the elderly - the political, adults - the economic ladder.
Considering such a question as social mobility and its types, one cannot but note another important concept. Such a phenomenon as the emergence of marginals, often occurs during the transition from one social group to another. Marginals are people who no longer belong to their former layer, but have not yet moved to a new level. That is, they do not have adequate social status. For example, a person migrates from one country to another, or a city moves from a village. An individual can become marginalized because his claims do not correspond to the cultural group to which he belongs.
In general, social mobility is considered a positive phenomenon, as it stimulates people to professional growth and improvement.