Downward social mobility occurs when an individual or group moves to a lower position in the social hierarchy. This can be caused by various factors, including economic downturns, loss of employment, or changes in the occupational structure of a society, resulting in a decrease in status, wealth, or power.

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals, families, or groups through a system of social hierarchy. It can occur at the individual level, such as a person changing their occupation, or at the group level, such as an entire demographic or occupational category experiencing a shift in status due to economic or structural changes.

Structural mobility refers to social mobility caused by changes in the structure of society itself, such as technological advancements or shifts in the economy. When the labor market changes, it can create or eliminate entire categories of jobs, forcing groups of people to move up or down the social ladder regardless of their individual efforts.

Social mobility is the process by which individuals or groups move between different positions in a social hierarchy. This movement can be vertical (upward or downward) or horizontal. It is a key indicator of the openness of a society, as it measures the extent to which individuals can change their socioeconomic status through education, career advancement, or other life changes.

Historically, women's social status was often derived from their marital status or their husband's position. The rise of independent professional achievement allows women to bypass this traditional dependency, providing a mobility ladder that is not contingent upon marriage. This shift reflects broader changes in gender roles and economic participation within modern social structures.

A class-based society is considered an 'open' system of stratification. Unlike caste or feudal systems, which are largely ascribed and rigid, class systems allow for social mobility based on individual achievement, education, and economic success, enabling individuals to move between different social strata.

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals, families, or groups through a system of social hierarchy. This movement is not unidirectional; it can be upward, where an individual improves their socioeconomic status, or downward, where an individual experiences a decline in status, reflecting the dynamic nature of social stratification.

Intragenerational mobility refers to the movement of an individual between different social classes or strata within their own working life. This is distinct from intergenerational mobility, which compares the social status of children to that of their parents. It measures how much an individual's career path changes their socioeconomic status over time.

Social mobility is influenced by both structural factors, such as changes in the economy or occupational structure, and individual factors, which include personal attributes like education, talent, effort, and social capital. While structural shifts create opportunities, individual agency determines who is best positioned to capitalize on those shifts to move up or down the social hierarchy.

While meritocracy suggests that status is achieved through individual effort and ability, sociologists often argue that these abilities are heavily influenced by one's early environment and inherited advantages. Access to quality education, nutrition, and social networks—often determined by family background—significantly shapes an individual's capacity to demonstrate 'merit.' Thus, the realization of potential is frequently contingent upon the foundational support provided by one's early social and economic environment.