Page 248 - DSOC202_SOCIAL_STRATIFICATION_ENGLISH

Unit 11: Social Mobility

Patterns of Mobility in Class Notes
Class is a very significant element in stratification system. Class mobility is a very important
process in present industrial society. Mobility along class line exhibits meritocratic, open nature of
society. Study of class mobility reveals the impact of class of origin on the life-chances. Besides
this, study of people undergoing mobility are important for analyzing social stability and expansion.
High rates of class mobility in industrial society shows the openness of society. Class mobility
helps in understanding class formation also.
Class Mobility and Class Formation : The rate of social mobility have significant effects on class
formation. So, number of scholars have shown interest in study of this aspect. For example,
Anthony Giddens has suggested that if the rate of social mobility is low, class solidarity and
cohesion will be high. Most individuals will remain in their class of origin and will provide for the
production of common life experiences over generations. As a result, distinctive class subculture
and strong class identification will tend to develop. Marx, through the concept of proletarianization,
explained the process of class formation as a result of class mobility. Expansion of middle class
also indicates class mobility in advanced industrial society. Weber emphasized immobility as a
chief determinant of social and cultural identity of a class. Westergaard and Resler recognized the
importance of mobility and lack of it as a factor influencing peoples response to their class situation,
class consciousness and class organisation. Parkin argued that mobility rates and patterns are
important in determining class solidarity.
Industrialization and Mobility : Industrialization has brought a lot of changes in economic,
political, cultural and most importantly in social sphere. Industrial society is characterized by
meritocracy and openness. This facilitates for occupational and social mobility. Therefore, Lipset
Zetterberg feel that industrialism creates uniform mobility pattern. Duncan and Blau discussed
number of factors generated by industrialization that have bearing on mobility patterns.
Industrialization led to breakdown of kinship ties, increase in division of labour, growth in
rationalistic attitudes, emphasis on achievement based occupation etc. New professional class,
working class and managerial class came to play significant role in industrial societies.
Education and Mobility : Education is a key factor in facilitating mobility in modern industrial
society. Through education and training, people from lower strata can move to the higher one
because these are open in present society. Earlier education was restricted to few groups so
mobility was also restricted but its role has changed today. Today, it is a major determinant of
career mobility and it affects the pace of mobility too.
Intergenerational and Intra-generational Mobility : The first major study of intergenerational
mobility in England and Wales was conducted by David Glass and his associates in 1949. The
study showed that upward mobility was more frequent than downward mobility, most mobility
was short range and nearly two-third of men interviewed were in different status category from
that of their fathers. His study also revealed a significant degree of inequality of opportunity.
Assecs study in 1984 found that opportunity for mobility has increased within industrialization
but inequality exists. Inequality further increases in case of women as it includes gender inequality
also. Family background and educational attainment have bearing on mobility patterns. According
to Lipset and Bendix, poverty, lack of education, lack of exposure, lack of access are other factors
that affect mobility. Intergenerational mobility are more than the intra-generational mobility.
Hauzer and Hout have found that work life mobility decreases with age. Lipset and Bendix found
self-employment to be one of the few means of acquiring higher positions and mobility among
manual workers.
Social Mobility and Classes in India
Classes in India is the result of social mobility. In present situation castes and classes coexist in
India. Following are the different classes which are identified in India :

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