social mobility

[soh-shuhl moh-bil-i-tee]

noun

1. Sociology.,  the movement of people in a population, as from place to place, from job to job, or from one social class or level to another.

social mobility

1. The ability of individuals or groups to move upward or downward in status based on wealth, occupation, education, or some other social variable.

American society operates on the principle that an individual's achievements can be rewarded by upward social mobility.

Word History and Origins

Origin of social mobility¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

I know that many people of all political persuasions admire that someone as talented as you is the living embodiment of social mobility.

From BBC

"Lord Paul was deeply committed to the university and a passionate supporter of our social mobility objectives and our aim of creating opportunity for all."

From BBC

Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said competition to get into top sixth forms "will be fiercer than ever", adding that fears over VAT being added to private school fees may drive more families to seek out places in the state sector.

From BBC

As social mobility in the U.S. has decreased, the prospect of homeownership and marriage has also become unattainable for many early adults, regardless of how hard they work.

From Slate

The U.S., once the premier country of upward social mobility as well as geographic mobility, is now less upwardly mobile than many other developed countries.

From Salon