Sociology assignment solution

Discussion Questions:

1. explain social mobility (although it is in your own words, it should still based on what you read in the textbook).

It has always been insinuated “where we live” determines “consequence of social class”.

It is undeniable that social structures affect social mobility in all individuals of the community.

Statistical data from the textbook and the New York Times compiles this article in a bid to shine

a light on the topic of child social mobility.

1. What did you find when looking at the two counties in the New York Times interactive article? In other words, what were the similarities and differences between counties in terms of opportunity for children?

An in-depth analysis of Jackson County, Alaska, the county I grew up in shows average

performance for child income mobility in poor families. DeKalb County is strategically optimal

for the study showing high probable results for success, the younger one moves here.

Children spend $110 on average towards their annual household income at 26 years old

which appreciates at a rate of 9 percent toward adulthood. Raising children to higher

stratifications on the income ladder takes average effort in this county.

2 Compared to Jackson County is Arlington County, Virginia, a well-off community in

regard to child mobility. Similarly to Jackson County, children who move to Arlington earlier are

more likely to be successful.

Children, however, spend more; about $260 towards the annual household income at 26

years old with a steeper 20 percent margin toward adulthood. It is, therefore, easier to raise

children through the income ladder in Arlington.

1. What social structural factors affect social mobility for the children in the counties? (Social structure is discussed in chapter eight. They are also discussed in the article.)

The correlation between social mobility and income mobility has been studied to show a

balanced social stratum in relation to the county’s economic state. Social constraints that limit

social mobility should, therefore, be approached from a local county level.

The social infrastructure established in the given county also determines social mobility.

Socially-economic prosperous areas promote social mobility as perceived by the statistical data.

1. Taking together what you read in the textbook and the New York Times article, what are two major ways “where we live” plays a part in “consequences of social class”?

The current society is made of sub-classifications of social strata. These categories define

our position in society, the opportunities they are potentially exposed to, and, the choices that

influence their day to day lives. Economic mobility, especially the measure of children

household incomes is a statistical approach towards social mobility.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is dominant ideology? What does the author of your textbook say is the “dominant ideology” about poverty in the United States.

“ Pull yourself from your bootstraps” has been an ideological foundation to socio-economic

growth in the United States. A concept instilled into the minds and hearts of citizens has

encouraged hard work and self-determination in a attempt to ascend social strata.

It is in this relation that poor people; stratified low in the social classes are considered not

hardworking enough to emancipate themselves from the grasps of poverty. Likewise, the rich;

stratified high in the social classes are considered to have “pulled themselves from their

bootstraps.

1. What is a story from U.S. cultural history that contributes to the dominant ideology about how anyone can get out of poverty if they work hard enough? Explain the story and how it contributes to the dominant ideology.

A detailed illustration is the story of Horatio Alger is a clear depiction of the “rags to riches”

American concept. Alger’s illustration is that of impoverished young adults who live exemplary

lives, striving through poverty and humble backgrounds to attain wealth, honor and the

American Dream.

1. What has shaped your own view about social mobility in the U.S.?

Social mobility is, therefore, a choice to hard work to move up the social ladder. Social and

environmental constraints, however, discourage an upward accent. These factors apply similarly

to all individuals in a society and therefore the field is considered o be of equal opportunity.

The poor are in the same level field as other poor people in a bid to move up the social ladder,

and so are rich people or the disabled. The backward perception that the efficiency of random

acts of kindness, and luck to who we are born to; as the determinants of success is utterly

missguided.

1. Does your view of social mobility/dominant ideology match the view of the commentators in the radio story? You must listen to the whole radio story to answer this question, because commentary is given at the end.

My view of social mobility emulates the views propagated by Alger. Although the social

constraints to current social mobility have changed, the principles in play are still the same.

Some current factors influencing social mobility have improved while others have deteriorated.

This is in consideration to the fact that Alger’s works were compiled after the Civil War.