Social Mobility
Definition
Social mobility refers to the ability of an individual or group to move up or down the social ladder within a society. It measures how easily one can change their social status during their lifetime.
Analogy
Think of social mobility like an elevator in a building. Some people have access to higher floors (higher social status), while others are limited to lower floors (lower social status). The speed and availability of elevators determine how quickly someone can move up or down.
Related terms
Upward Mobility: The ability to improve one's social position by moving into higher levels of society.
Downward Mobility: The opposite of upward mobility; it refers to a decrease in one's social standing.
Meritocracy: A societal structure where advancement is based on individual merit rather than inherited privilege.
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