Social Mobility

May 25, 2016

Social MobilityThe movement of individuals between social classes

• Horizontal Mobility

• Vertical Mobility

• Intergenerational Mobility

Social Structure: 2 Types

• Caste Systems (India) – Does not allow for movement between social classes

• Open-Class System (USA, Canada) – Social class is based on merit and effort. • “The American Dream”

• Depicted in Horatio Alger “Rags to Riches” stories

Class Structure in Canada

• Upper Class (1%)

• Upper-Middle Class (14%)

• Middle Class (30%)

• Working Class (30%)

• Working Poor (13%)

• Underclass (12%)

Poverty

• Absolute poverty vs. relative poverty

Homelessness

• Lack of fixed address

• No residence

• Living on the streets

Factors contributing to…

Poverty

• Learned behaviour

• Cyclical nature

• Lack of skills

Homelessness

• Mental Illness

• Addictions

• Lack of skills

• Stigma

Through a Blue Lens• 1999

• National Film Board of Canada

• Includes footage shot by police

• Shot in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside• “Canada’s Poorest Postal

Code”• Highest rate of HIV infection

in Canada• 40% of Homeless have mental

illness

Questions1. Why “Through a Blue Lens”

2. What is the purpose of this film?

3. What is the relationship between addiction and homelessness?

4. Is drug use a criminal or social problem?

5. What are the ramifications of treating it as a criminal/social problem?

6. Which course is best for society?

7. How do these two ways of dealing with street addicts relate to conflict and functionalist perspectives