- When someone moves from a lower social class to a higher one
- Rags to Riches
- Usually discussed in the context of the American Dream

Upward Mobility

- Dropping into a lower social class from a higher one
- This could be because the person was laid off, chose to pursue a less lucrative career than their parents, made bad financial decisions, got divorced, entered the job market during a recession, etc. 

Downward Mobility

- The American Dream is the belief that anyone can be successful by working hard, taking risks and making sacrifices
- Sociologist often think of the American Dream as a myth because only about 50% of children experience upward mobility (these odds are even lower for African Americans)

The American Dream

- Upward Mobility
- Downward Mobility
- The American Dream

University of Connecticut

A social class is a group of individuals that share similar economic positions based on income, occupation wealth and education.

Social Class

Barian, A. et. al. (2020). A Sociology Experiment. https://www.sociologyexperiment.com/ 

A Sociology Experiment

Stratification is a system that puts categories of people in a hierarchy. Social class is just one form of stratification. Stratification may lead to unequal access to resources, political rights and other benefits.

Stratification

Dennis Gilbert's model of class structure relies on income, occupation, and education. 

- There are 6 social classes that are situated within 3 broad categories:
- Privileged classes
- Majority classes
- Lower classes

The Social Class Structure of the US

Ascribed is something that one is given to you at birth. Achieved is something that one must work for and gain later in life. 

- When you are born you automatically enter into the social class of your parents or guardians (ascribed)
- But when you become an adult you may achieve a different social class
- Advantages can help people get to a certain status: wealthy parents

Ascribed or Achieved?

Digital technologies can alter labor-market outcomes by automating tasks, changing how work is organized, and shifting demand for skills. These changes may displace some jobs while creating others. When their effects on occupations and earnings are uneven, they provide a potential pathway through which technology may affect people's relative social-class positions.

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