Sozialmobilität

Sozialmobilität refers to the movement of individuals, families, or groups within or between social strata in a society. It is a fundamental concept in sociology and studies how people's social standing can change over time. This movement can be upward, downward, or horizontal. Upward mobility signifies an improvement in social position, such as moving to a higher income bracket or achieving a more prestigious occupation than one's parents. Conversely, downward mobility indicates a decline in social status. Horizontal mobility describes a change in social position that does not involve a change in social class, like switching to a different job at a similar level of prestige or income.

Social mobility can be analyzed in several ways. Intergenerational mobility examines the change in social status between parents and their children. Intragenerational mobility, on the other hand, focuses on the changes in an individual's social status over their lifetime. The degree of social mobility in a society is often seen as an indicator of its openness and fairness. Societies with high social mobility are often characterized by greater equality of opportunity, where an individual's success is primarily determined by their talents and efforts rather than their background. Factors influencing social mobility include education, economic conditions, social networks, and policies aimed at reducing inequality.