Final answer:
Social mobility in the U.S. is characterized by an open system allowing individuals to move up or down the social hierarchy. Structural mobility occurs due to societal changes, while individual effort can facilitate upward or downward shifts in social class.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social mobility is exemplified in the open system of the United States. These social units are fluid and individuals can move up or down in the system. The concept of mobility refers to the ability of individuals to change their position within a social stratification system. Economic improvements or setbacks can impact one's social class, leading to either upward or downward mobility. Upward mobility signifies an upward shift from a lower to a higher socioeconomic class, while downward mobility implies the reverse. Significant factors that can influence mobility include education, employment changes, health issues, or family structure changes.
Structural mobility is a type of social mobility where societal changes can cause groups of people to shift up or down the social class ladder. This form of mobility is not due to individual efforts but rather due to changes in the structure of society. For instance, industrialization in the early twentieth century caused widespread upward structural mobility in the US. Conversely, economic recessions and job outsourcing can lead to downward structural mobility. Additionally, intergenerational mobility refers to the differences in social class between different generations within a family.
The United States is known for the potential of mobility but also faces economic inequality. Opportunities for social mobility form the basis of the American Dream, suggesting that through hard work and determination, individuals can rise from lower social classes to higher ones.