Social Mobility

Social mobility is the movement of an individual or group from one social position to another over time.

Economic inequality (also known as the gap between rich and poor) consists of disparities in the distribution of wealth and income.

In an open class system, people are ranked by achieved status, whereas in a closed class system, people are ranked by ascribed status.

Social mobility can be vertical and horizontal, absolute and relative, and between generations.

Strong social and economic mobility is considered part of American Dream, though there is relatively low social mobility in the U.S.