Achieved status

It has become more realistic to believe that a person who grew up in poverty is likely to move up into a higher class position throughout their life. Studying social mobility helps to answer this question. Being that the United States is called “the land of opportunity” it can be said that there is plenty of room for social mobility in America. However, this has been a question of debate among Americans for years. While some citizens of America may believe social mobility has stayed consistent through

protect the state from enemies, but more importantly, to benefit the state. In Plato’s society, what is told and taught to citizens is heavily controlled and monitored by those in the guardian class. Also, one’s opportunity for occupation and social status and position is said to be predetermined and set in stone once one is born. Plato creates three different classes: guardian, warrior, producer, and what class you are set in is based of whatever metal is said to run in your veins. And it is these

SOCIAL INEQUALITY Race and Gender 1 a.) As defined by sociology, a minority group is one that is singled out and treated as lesser people, and given less say and resources than those who are of a higher station in society ((Ed.), (n.d)). The importance of having different ‘classes’ in society is that it defines who will be the one who serves those at the top and those who will be at the top. Although the separation of each class gives a clearer definition of who we are in society we should not

directly as part of our social heritage, but our understanding of the principle of social status tends to be implicit and to be learned obliquely through hard and bitter experience” (Warner et all 69). As youth we are taught that everyone is equal and has an equal opportunity to succeed. This statement, however, is not true and is only learned by “bitter experience”. Only a few learn the principles of social status, even though they are not explicitly stated. Sadly Gatsby is not one of these people

The problems of today’s youth can be viewed through the lens of social generations and social class. Social divisions and inequalities have plagued the youth. With increased challenges being faced, the social division and inequalities between generation and within generations have continued to grow and change the social structure of the society. The notions of generation and class help us view the problems from varied perspectives, however both theories present their own limitations. This social

In Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre, Bronte seemingly condemns the existing social hierarchy. Not only are the characters who are most concerned with the allure of fortune and rank portrayed as either deceitful or unethical, but even characters who’ve accepted their means of poverty and demonstrate honest moral natures are mocked. Rather than use the normal class structures, the book suggests that a person of impoverished means can be viewed as socially respectable with the condition that they

will fulfill this dream. But, average Americans, like the character of George Wilson, will remain in their parents’ class for the entirety of their lives. Class mobility is an integral facet of the American dream, and while possible, it is not often achieved. Only a select few super-achievers can attain the rags to riches, American dream of an ascent to wealth and power, but the majority of Americans will live their lives perpetually stuck in the class that they were born into. Americans have been

allowing luxuries typically reserved for the upper class to be enjoyed by the masses. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, reflects these social and economic changes. The novel follows the rise and fall of Jay Gatsby, who achieved prosperity in spite of being born the son of a poor, North Dakota farmer. Though many believed in an emergence of class mobility in the 1920’s, the novel The Great Gatsby demonstrates the ultimate inaccessibility of the American Dream - a holistic

the place to get rich, and those with the motivation to succeed can easily do so through hard work. Gatsby represents the drive of both the individual and the lower progressive class who has an equal ability to achieve wealth regardless of social status. Fitzgerald accentuates the perception that this “resourcefulness of movement” is strictly exhibited in America, illustrating how the American Dream cannot be acquired anywhere else. This idea of social mobility is presented towards the public in

social prejudice. “No, I will not have a sailor in my house. I strongly object to the Navy. It brings persons of obscure birth into undue distinction….” Sir Elliot and Lady Russel are aristocracies. They inherited land along with the wealth and social status it entailed. They are required to live and associate as their rank dictates. Their views on social rank and privilege are rigid. People are expected to know their place but both Sir Elliot and Lady Russel are being confronted with the increasing