What is Social Mobility?

In spite of rigid caste structure social mobility was present in Indian society and is still prevalent.

Human societies are divided into various social strata. These strata are arranged hierarchically and are considered superior or inferior to one another according to the prevalent value system in society.

But any system of social stratification is not absolutely closed. Individuals or groups can move from one social status to another in the social hierarchy. This process of shifting of social status is called social mobility.

Types of Social Mobility

There are two types of social mobility - vertical and horizontal.

Vertical Mobility

Vertical mobility refers to the movement of a group or an individual from one social stratum to another, either upward or downward. A scheduled caste member getting a high position in an organization and a Brahmin working as a landless agricultural laborers are examples, on an individual level, of upward and downward society mobility respectively.

Horizontal Mobility

By horizontal social mobility is meant shifting from one social group to another situated broadly on the same level. The shift from agricultural labor to factory labor is an example.