SOCIAL MOBILITY

1. Definition of Social Mobility

Everyone wants to be able to get a higher status and income than what their parents
had achieved. Everyone certainly wants a life that is all-encompassing, even if it may be
excessive. These desires are normal, because basically humans have unlimited needs. Just
as if we ask about the ideals of a child, then he will answer to a status that mostly has the
connotation of a good life. It's just that whether the desires, dreams and ideals succeed or
fail at all in the process of one's journey is what we call "Social Mobility". Concept and Scope
of Social Mobility.
Mobility has various meanings, first, physical mobility (geographical mobility), namely
the movement of residence (permanent/temporary) from one place to another. Second,
social mobility is a movement of movement from one social class to another. There are two
types of social mobility, namely horizontal and vertical social mobility. Horizontal social
mobility is defined as a movement of movement from one status to another without a change
in position. So in this horizontal social mobility, there is no change in the degree of a
person's position. Whereas vertical social mobility is a movement of movement from one
social status to another, which is not equal. When viewed from the direction of vertical social
mobility, it can be broken down into two types, namely the movement of rising social status
(social climbing) and downward movement of status transfer (social sinking). This definition
of social mobility includes both group and individual mobility. For example, the success of
Pak A's family is evidence of individual mobility; while the flow of population movement
together (bedo desa) from poverty enclaves on the island. Java to a more fertile area so that
their level of welfare is relatively better than in the area of ​origin, is an example of group
mobility. Third, psychic mobility, which is a socio-psychological aspect as a result of social
change. In this case, they are experiencing a change in attitude which is accompanied of
course by mental shock. The concept of mobility in practice will be interrelated with each
other, and it is difficult to determine which is the result and the cause. For example, for
changes in social status, a person is forced to leave their place of residence due to lack of
employment, or vice versa, social mobility often results in geographic mobility accompanied
by all kinds of painful losses, namely the disappearance of long-established social ties.
Likewise, geographical mobility will affect the social mobility that is supported or sinking,
even at the same time affecting the mental or psychological mobility of individuals and
society.

2. The Nature of Social Mobility

In the modern world, many countries seek to increase social mobility, with the
assumption that the higher the level of social mobility, the happier and happier every
individual in society will be. Of course, this assumption is based on the freedom that exists in
every individual from any social background in determining his life. The absence of job
discrimination on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity and position, will encourage each individual
to choose the most suitable job for himself. If the level of social mobility is high, even though
the social background of each individual is different, and there is no job discrimination, they
will still feel they have the same rights in achieving a higher social position. If the level of
social mobility is low, then this will cause many people to be trapped in the social status of
their ancestors. The level of social mobility of individuals in a society is largely determined by
the openness of social classes in society. In an open social class society, the community has
a high level of mobility, while in a closed social class society, the community has a low level
of social mobility.

3. Forms of Social Mobility

When we talk about social mobility, generally in our minds we perceive the
occurrence of status transfer from a lower level to a higher status level; in terms of mobility
can take place in two directions. If we observe the life journey of a group of individuals, some
of them have succeeded in achieving a higher status, some have failed (lower status), and
the rest have remained at the level of status owned by their parents. Benefits Disadvantages
Opening opportunities for individuals / communities to develop their personality. Cause
anxiety and tension caused by decreased mobility A person's status is not determined by
oneself based on achievement, ability and tenacity. The emergence of anxiety and tension
as a result of the new role of the elevated position status. Opening opportunities to achieve a
better life. The occurrence of a rift between primary members, caused by the transfer of a
higher status or a lower status. The emergence of status and role conflicts, conflicts between
social classes, between social groups and between generations. In various cases, it is
shown that in general mobility takes form in two directions. The level of individual and group
mobility that decreases or increases (increases), is one of the benchmarks of a society with
an open social system, and the positive and negative elements of the inheritance system are
not strong enough to compete with the achievement factor as the main determining factor of
social position. However, if in reality everyone remains at the level of their parents' social
class (between generations), this is a benchmark for a society with a closed social system,
where status inheritance (related to previous generations) is more prominent than
achievement. Social mobility is a phenomenal social process that is natural in a society that
upholds democracy. In this society, mobility is a good thing, where the recognition of
individuals to develop according to their potential is very wide open, so that there is no
longer a snare that limits a person to occupy a different status from the previous generation.
In a car society, besides being profitable because of the benefits derived from this mobility, it
also has negative consequences (losses).

4. Determinants of Social Mobility

What factors affect the level of social mobility? To answer this is certainly not easy,
because there are so many variables that determine the level of social mobility. In this paper,
the determinants of social mobility are distinguished in two ways, firstly the structural factor,
namely the factor that determines the number of referrals from high positions that must be
filled and the ease of obtaining them. These structural factors include; job structure, dual
economics (dualistic economics), and factors supporting and inhibiting mobility itself.
Second, individual factors, which in this case include differences in abilities, orientation
towards mobility, and luck factors.
a. Structural Factors
1) Work Structure Roughly speaking, economic activity is divided into two
sectors, namely the formal sector and the informal sector. The two sectors certainly
have different characteristics, where the formal sector has a number of positions
ranging from low to high positions; while the informal sector has more of a low
position and a slightly high status. This difference in economic activity will clearly
affect the level of mobility of the people involved in it. Likewise, people whose
economic activity is dominated by the agricultural sector and income from raw
materials (mining, forestry) have more low status positions, and few high status
positions, so the level of mobility is low. The level of mobility in developed countries
has increased along with the development of industrialization.
2) Dual Economy Viewed from an economic point of view, a society can be
characterized on the basis of its social spirit, forms of organization and the
techniques that support it. These three elements are interrelated and determine the
characteristics of the community concerned, meaning that the social spirit,
organizational form and superior technique will determine the style and face of the
community concerned. Therefore, these three elements, in relation to one another,
can be referred to as the social system, social style, or social climate of the
community in question. In developing countries, it turns out that economic
development gives rise to several types of dualism, namely economic activities from
economic conditions and other conditions in a sector do not have uniform
characteristics, and on the contrary can be clearly distinguished into two groups. The
first is economic activities or conditions that are still controlled by traditional
elements, and the second is various economic activities or conditions that are still
controlled by modern elements. We can see this economic dualism between the
traditional agricultural sector, which is characterized by a low level of productivity and
causes people's income levels to be at levels commonly referred to as subsistence
income levels. Meanwhile, in the modern economic sector, it is characterized by the
type of market economy, where community activities in producing are mostly aimed
at the market. The existence of this economic dualism, of course, will affect whether
or not the mobility takes place quickly and the size of the opportunity for mobility.
3) Mobility Supports and Barriers Children who come from middle social class
generally have learning experiences that are more supportive of upward mobility than
children of low social class. Conflict theory scholars hold the view that diplomas,
tests, recommendations, "a network of relationships between friends (a network of
relationships between close friends in a type of profession or business world. They
exchange information and recommendations regarding job opportunities, making it
difficult for people to work together). outsiders" to break through), and blatant
discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities, and people from lower social
classes. to perform mobility-up; on the other hand, these inhibiting factors also rule
out the possibility of downward mobility for groups of people from the upper social
class. In addition to the inhibiting factors, there are also structural supporting factors
for mobility, for example the existence of an anti-discrimination law, the emergence of
job training institutions either financed by the government or NGOs, which are
important supporting factors for the occurrence of up-mobility for many people.
people of low social status.

b. Individual Factors
1) Differences in Abilities
What are abilities? How to measure it? and How does the ability to support
life success and mobility? These are difficult questions to get answers to that satisfy
all parties. However, the differences in the abilities that exist in each individual are
one of the important indicators that determine the success of life and the level of
mobility.
2) Differences in Behavior that Supports Mobility
What is meant by behavior that supports mobility is a view or orientation of an
individual's attitude towards mobility. Differences in the orientation of individual
attitudes towards mobility are influenced by several factors, namely education, value
gaps, work habits, patterns of delaying pleasure, the ability to "how to play"; and the
pattern of value gaps.
a) Education
Education is the main mobility ladder. Although the level of importance
of education at all levels of work is not the same. For career positions such as
doctors, teachers, legal experts, and so on, the role of education is very
supportive. But one's educational background may not be necessary for a
career-grade as a sportsman, entertainer, etc. But what is certain is that the
role of education here emphasizes more on efforts to develop one's ability to
channel and utilize information as needed.
b) Work
Habits One's work habits are one of the important factors that
determine one's success and future. Although hard work does not guarantee
upward mobility, not many people can experience upward mobility without
hard work.
c) Pattern
of Delayed Pleasure Rafting upstream, swimming ashore - getting sick
first. have fun later". This is a proverb that describes a pattern of delaying
pleasure (PPK). For example: people who prefer to save their money for
savings rather than for short-term pleasure; students, who are more diligent in
reading books and making the most of their time. better, instead of playing
cards or wasting time. this is an example of applying the pattern of delaying
pleasure. The key to the pattern of delaying pleasure is planning for the future
and having a strong desire to realize the plan.
d) Ability "How to Play"
"How play" and/or the art of "self-presentation" has an important role
in up-mobility. How to be a person who is very liked and accepted by the
environment; how to be a person who can cooperate with others. These may
all be important factors influencing the success of self-presentation Positively
does not mean underestimating ability, but through Self-appearance is a
means / media that can be used to show abilities.
e) Value Gap
Pattern Value gap pattern is a behavior in which a person believes in
all recognized values, but does not make efforts to achieve his goals or admit
personal mistakes as the cause of his failure to achieve goals. Such people
are not hypocrites, but they simply do not realize that their behavior patterns
are not in line with their goals. For example: almost all parents want their
children to do well in school, but they ignore the teacher's advice and do not
emphasize that their children study well at home.
f) Luck Factor / Luck
Many people who really work hard and fulfill all the requirements to
become successful people, but still experience failure; On the other hand,
success sometimes "falls" on other people who are far from requirements.
This luck factor is clearly impossible to measure and is a common reason for
a failure, but it still cannot be denied as one of the factors in mobility. In some
of the discussions above, more about determinants (determinants of
up-mobility). What about the down-mobility determinant? Basically all
determinants of upward mobility are also determinants of downward mobility.
An example is the structural factor, when the Indonesian state experienced an
economic crisis, many companies went bankrupt, there was economic
stagnation and a decline in productivity, as well as a decrease in the rate of
economic growth. . As for individual factors such as education, work habits;
luck-determines who should be dethroned.
 SUMMARY
Social mobility is the movement or movement of individuals from one
position to another in society. His new position can be either higher or lower.
Factors that can hinder the process of social mobility are culture, origins,
traditions, and economic conditions. The forms of social mobility are
horizontal and vertical mobility. Horizontal mobility is the transition of
individuals from one social group to another equal social group. While vertical
mobility is the movement of individuals from one social position to another
which consists of two kinds, namely social mobility that goes up and social
mobility that goes down. Intergenerational mobility is mobility characterized by
the development of living standards or social status in a lineage. In a closed
society, vertical mobility is relatively slow because the position has been
determined since the individual was born. In an open society, what position a
person or group wants to achieve depends on the individual's own abilities.
Channels of vertical social mobility include the armed forces, religious
institutions, educational institutions, political organizations, and economic
organizations. The consequences of social mobility will result in several
possibilities for individuals and groups. For example, conflicts between social
classes, between social groups, and between generations.