SOCIAL MOBILITY

A society may indeed be stratified, but the people have the ability to move from one class
to another. This is referred to social mobility.
Example is that of Iah Seraspi, second topnotcher of the September 2015 Licensure Exam
for Teachers (LET), who came from a poor family in Romblon but still managed to top of the
exam. A proof that money does not equate equality. In these cases, it is evident that the
Philippine society is open for movement and it allows the social mobility of people, depending
on their skills and abilities.
Social mobility is a good mechanism in a highly stratified society. It gives a chance to the
people from the lower classes to climb the social ladder.
Social Mobility has two systems;
a) Open (class) system: allows a person’s freer mobility. He/she can move through
classes based upon his/her skills, abilities, and achievements.
b) Closed (caste) system: in this system, a person has little or no possibility of moving up
the social ladder.

Types of Social Mobility

1) Horizontal social mobility- this is the change of position of a person to another
position of the same rank. When a chemistry teacher decides to shift to another job that requires
his/her skills in chemistry, he/she practicing horizontal social mobility because he/she will
experience a similar level of difficulty and status in the new position.
2) Vertical social mobility- the more interesting mechanism for sociologist is vertical
mobility, which happens when a person moves from one social class to another. A successful
engineer who once was a poor working student in a state university is an example of a person
who experiences vertical social mobility.
This type of mobility may be upward or downward. It may also be further analyzed in relation to
time.
a.Intergenerational mobility
The movement of social position that started with the parents and was felt by even the
children is called intergenerational mobility.
b.Intragenerational mobility
The movement in social position that happens within a person adult life is referred to as
intragenerational mobility.
Social mobility may be hindered by the following fact
1. Educational attainment
2. Childhood poverty with associated psychological and behaviors development.
3. The family and all the financial, social, and cultural aspects that are formed within it.
4. Attitudes, expectations, and aspirations.
5. Economic barriers.