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