Social mobility - is the possibility and the fact of moving a person or an entire social group among the different social positions of social stratification.This concept describes the structure of society and its dynamics.The theory of this problem has been developed in detail Sorokin.
Types of social mobility are following.First of all, distinguish individual and group mobility.The first describes the movement of a single person who is independent of the others.In the process of movement between social groups, layers, by changing the status of the individual mobility using such methods as changing their own lifestyles;the conscious development of a new status (typical of a certain level) behavior;changes in usual social environment;marriage with other (preferably higher), the status of the layer;education.
second - collective movement due to changes in the social significance of the entire class of people, estates, etc.It can be caused by civil wars, foreign interventions, the creation of empires, overthrowing the regime.This group organized the movement of people can also be initiated by the state on top.It can be carried out with the consent of the people or without (Komsomol construction in the USSR, repatriation of Chechens and Ingush, etc.) why social mobility is both voluntary and involuntary.
opposite type of mobility is an organized structure (forced) in which movement between social categories is due to changes in the occupational structure (creation of new jobs, new industries).These changes are taking place against the will of the people.Reduction, for example, economic sectors, and with it jobs, forcing people to look for a new use, changing their usual status.The reasons for these changes may be rooted in economic growth, technological revolutions and political transformations, changes in the level of fertility.
Exchange (circular or true) social mobility refers to the mutual exchange of individuals between the layers of the society.Social movements that occur in this case due to personal achievements (failure) of the people, the advent of new system capabilities of any quality (educational, political, legal).An example is the movement of residents of former Soviet republics of Russia in its major cities with the aim of earning.
Particular attention should be paid to such basic movements of people in the society, as the horizontal and vertical social mobility.Under the vertical movement of people understood the transition from one class to another, under the horizontal - from one social group to another while maintaining their social status.For example, change of work for the same status called horizontal mobility of labor;residence in the village equivalent status - horizontal migration.
When vertical movement people change their social status, increasing its (upward mobility) or decreasing (downward).Examples of these movements: an increase or decrease in the post.The main channels of such movements are: the church, the family, government groups, schools, political parties and organizations, professional organizations.
Social mobility may also be intergenerational (change in the status of children in comparison to their parents) and intragenerational (change of status of a person throughout his life).
