Social Mobility - Mr. Wetmore's Website - HomeSocial Mobility May 25, 2016 Social Mobility The movement of individuals between social classes •Horizontal Mobility •Vertical Mobility

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