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tntragerational vs. lntergenerational

lntergenerational mobility refers to upward or downward mobility between generations of a
family. For example, if the father is a lawyer, and the son becomes a laborer, the intergenerational mobility
has been downwards.
Sociologists study not only the actual change in social position, but also the amount of time the
change takes to occur. There are both shorter- and longer-term changes in socialstatus.
lntralenerationa! mobility is a change in social position that occurs during a person's lifetime. For
Manny Pacquiaowho managed to augment his economic status during his lifetime through
"*ar-ple,
engaging in boxing.
ln some instances, sociat mobility happens not because of one's success or failure but rather
because of the changes in the society, in 2008, when the united State experiences economic recession,
many people lost the-lr jobs. These changes in social class by societal structures are called structural
social mobility.

Factors Affecting Social Mobility

There are many structural and social factors that determine how much opportunity for mobility
exists in the society. The following are some important factors: gender, education, socialchange,
urbanization and industrialization, transportation and communication, and dissafisfaction from previous
conditions.

Gender
ln American society before, males and females have different iypes of socialization. Until recently,
males took for granted that they were to be the primary wage earner and ere to assume overall
responsibility tor tne family's financial slability. Female were traditionally discourage'to pursue higher
education or enter into a Career. Despite of the changes, opportunities given to the females are still not
equal to those of males. According to research, the younger the female at the age of marriage, the lower
the probability of gaining upward mobility, but marrying into a social class higher than their own can give
them another opportunity.

Education
An individual's education is positively conelated with the income that he is likely to earn. Education
provides an individual with the skills necessary to enter the job market and to compete against other for a
particular job.

Social Change
Social change brings improvement in every aspect of life- social, political, educational and
economic. This will lead to change in social status and position of an individual which is social mobility.
Urbanization and I ndustrialization
Sociologist have found that preindustrial and agricultural societies to have closed stratification
system. Typically, individuals in rural societies will occupy the same social status throughout their lives.
Status is based on ascription. On the other hand, individuals in urbanized and industrialized areas where
slalus is most likely based on achievement usually have the opportunity to move from one social class to
another.

Transpoftation and commu nication

The traditions, attributes and behavior of the people get change due to transportation and
communication facilities.
Dissatisfac tion f rom prev io us con ditians
People desire for improvement in their social status so they start trying to get better opportunities
for growth of social positions. They adopt new conditions and culture in which they seek satisfaction which
leads to change in their social status.

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