Factors facilitating and hindering social mobility across income groups

Social Mobility

INTRODUCTION and PURPOSE

In conducting any type of study, the researcher chooses his or her topic for a variety of reasons. In addition to personal interest, academic viability and applicability is also an important consideration for the choice of topic. According to Marshall and Rossman (p. 27), for example, qualitative research can generally be inspired by a sense of "curiosity," which is in turn inspired by observations of the world as related to existing theory about a phenomenon.

The purpose of this study is then to research the possibility of social mobility among various social classes. The question that is proposed for the purpose of this study is to investigate whether social mobility indeed exists, and if it does, to investigate factors that either facilitate or hinder such social mobility. The findings of the study are expected to either confirm or deny the elements revealed by the short-term study.

Effectiveness and appropriateness will be ensured by investigate three social classes from which the possibility of social mobility might or might not be possible. The classes will include low-income groups, the working class, and the middle class. Within these classes, various factors might limit or encourage social mobility. Among low-income groups, for example, gender roles, family responsibilities and closed social networks might act as hindering factors for social mobility. On the other hand, different kinds of social support may offer opportunities for persons from low-income groups to escape to a different social sector of society, as shown by Dominguez and Watkins (2003). The worker and middle classes, as explicated by Kaufman (2005) tend to face issues like family and peer group pressures to perform at a certain level of success.

The nature of the study also implies the presence of a variety of social issues at the heart of the possibility of social mobility. Issues such as gender roles, peer groups, and family obligations, as mentioned above, play a significant role in affecting social mobility for the individuals form different income groups. Low-income groups for example face challenges that often override individual ambition. Dominguez and Watkins (2003) mention the specific challenges faced by women from low-income groups, in the form of social networks, family obligations, and common expectations of women and their role in society.

Social networks can either act as inhibiting or encouraging factors in social mobility for this group. When made up of family and friends, social networks within this group generally tend to be localized and insular (Dominguez and Watkins, 2003, p. 111). This limits the opportunity for social interaction beyond the network, limits access to information and opportunity, and thus prevents persons belonging to it from upward social mobility. These networks have particular policies of their own, which limit the opportunity of women to make use of resources and opportunities to improve their social status.

On the other hand, the authors also note the possibility that social networks can act as an encouraging factor for social mobility (Dominguez and Watkins, 2003, p. 112). They may for example offer access to resources and opportunities that might otherwise not be available to the individual. Cross-class interactions may for example take place within social networks that span across wide geographical areas, hence providing access to information and opportunities for individuals.

Another type of social network that offers individuals from low-income groups the opportunity for mobility is institutional networks, where institutions provide support, advice and information to help individuals find access to opportunities for higher income and social mobility. A key factor is the heterogeneity, or lack thereof, in the social network.

The authors (p. 113) note that heterogeneous social networks tend to encourage diverse contacts with a variety of opportunities that could encourage social mobility. Homogeneous social networks among low-income groups, on the other hand, tend to promote maintaining the status quo for individuals in terms of both income, work, and opportunities for mobility. Indeed, homogeneous social networks use peer group pressure to ensure the maintenance of the current situation for the individuals involved.

The trust and support cultivated within such tightly-knit social networks, as the authors mention, can also be used as leverage for social control. Providing resources and assistance to its members, the obligation of recipients is then to reciprocate this help. This creates a circular network of obligation which encourages a static structure for all members involved. While this is materially beneficial in the short-term, it does not encourage attempts to improve individual lives in terms of higher income or job aspirations.

In this regard, the authors also distinguish between networks of social support and those of social leverage (p. 113). Social support is offered by tightly knit, generally homogeneous networks. These offer support in terms of resources and mutual trust, but do not generally encourage social mobility. On the other hand, more heterogeneous and geographically extensive social networks tend to offer leverage, where individuals have access to more contact with the world outside of their personal income group. Such networks encourage aspirations towards better work and income possibilities.

Dominguez and Watkins therefore appear to suggest the possibility of social mobility for the low-income group, but under certain conditions. According to the authors, it appears that the major inhibiting or indeed encouraging factor is social networks; the type of community of which individuals enjoy membership will dictate whether social mobility will be a possibility for them or not.

3) LIMITATIONS and IMPLICATIONS of the STUDY

Marshall and Rossman (p. 42) note that all proposed research will necessarily have its limitations. Limitations are generally connected to the conceptual framework and design of the study. It is important to make readers aware of these limitations in order to establish the boundaries of the study, and precisely what the study can be expected to clarify, explain and influence. On the other hand, it is also important to examine all the possible designs and limitations connected to the study to ensure that the greatest benefit is derived from the chosen design. Limitations should not limit the ultimate benefits of the findings.

In the case of this study, the life history research method is to be used. Limitations connected to this method is the fact that generalization is difficult, as only a few cases can viably be included. The guidance is also a limitation, as few accepted analysis concepts are available to guide this research method. Finally, there will be an abundance of data, which could become a constraining factor in terms of time.

The possible impacts of the study will be important in terms of policy and social issues. By studying social mobility and its limitations, policy issues such as social services, welfare, and education are possible fields of influence. It is for example important to make students aware of their potential for social mobility, and possibly to encourage active choices in this direction. This is particularly important for improving the life quality of the lower- and working-class income groups.

In terms of social impact, work place policies will be influenced by the social mobility realities revealed. Work place policies may for example have to be modified in order to provide greater access to the possibility for career mobility. Hence, even if a middle-class career is chosen, the workplace policies within such a career may offer mobility possibilities.