Final answer:
Intergenerational social mobility refers to the change in social position when comparing the socioeconomic status of children to their parents, which can be either an upward or downward movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of "intergenerational social mobility" specifically refers to the changes in social position when comparing children to their parents. This shift can signify either an upward or downward trajectory in social stratification, depending on whether a generation has improved or diminished in economic status relative to the previous one.
For instance, someone who becomes an upper-class executive with middle-class parents illustrates upward intergenerational mobility.
This is different from intragenerational mobility, which focuses on changes within a person's lifetime. An overall movement of a group within social strata due to societal changes is referred to as structural mobility. These concepts highlight the dynamics of social structuring and emphasize how personal effort, societal shifts, and family background can influence one's social positioning.