Social Mobility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Mobility - Essay Example Social Mobility Intergenerational mobility depends on a variety of factors. These that play a role in individual economic success and includes inheritable traits and factors related to the family and social context in which individuals develop (OECD 184). Some of the environmental factors are related to public plans while others are largely influenced by policies. For example, there are policies that control access to human capital formation. These may include public support for early childhood as well as policies that may increase or reduce economic and other barriers to accessing higher education (OECD 184). Therefore, in economic terms, intergenerational social mobility can be defined in terms of the potential to move up (or down) the income or wage scale relative to one's parents (OECD 184). In United States, different factors influence social mobility. Some of these factors have acted as a barrier to social mobility amongst many people in the society. A description of barriers to social mobilit y in American society helps in predicting future of children, point challenges, and effort that need to be undertaken to improve social mobility. One of the existing barriers to social mobility is racial differences. Racial differences in family background may result to racial differences in the accumulation of human capital (Kearney 46). Such kind of human capital is thought to relate to education attainment. This may arise in terms of parental wealth and emphasis on learning. (Kearney 46). Traditionally, different models assume that an personal achievement is based on ability. If this is the case, there should be a correspondence between black and white children. However, there appears to be cheaper labor market expectations for black children. Therefore, the black children’s choose a lower level of human capital investment (Kearney 46). Moreover, due to the constraints of getting credits, they are most likely not to associate with massive forms of investments. Therefore, i f minorities families tend to have less access to credit and wealth than other families, they are also less likely to get quality education than the white children’ of the same ability (Kearney 46). A report indicates that children from low-income families have less than one percent chance of reaching the top 5% of income distribution as compared to children of the rich with over 10% chance (Hertz 4). The other factor is labor market discrimination. This occurs as workers who are of equal productive measures are treated unequally in the economic sense (Kearney 46). This may arise in relation to gender, race, or ethnicity. In America, such type of racial discrimination still exists. This occurs through the prejudice of some members of the majority group’s against members of the minority group. Consequently, some of the group may gain promotion and thus earn more in comparison to the other group. Kearney notes, â€Å"The transmission of income level from parents to chil dren among blacks differs distinctly from among the whites† (37). He also notes that the average income is lower among blacks than whites are (Kearney 37). Consequently, the upward mobility is lower among blacks as compared to whites due to lower average income. In addition, the minority groups are also less likely to be hired based on the negative perception. This leads to such member of the minority g

Leadership Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Leadership - Research Paper Example It is revealed by the writer that they managed to bring their culture along with them to America, which ensured more intimacy among the members, more interaction, good leadership, sharing, and so many other virtues. The introduction is meant to teach the readers the very purpose of the book; to explore the role of opportunities in making someone successful. The writer points out that ‘the Rosetans were cooking with lard instead of with the much healthier olive oil.’ (6). Also, there is the revelation that they consumed more fat, were more obese, and smoked heavily. Despite all these negative aspects, the people lived a healthier life than other people. The reason, according to the writer, is that the culture allowed people to live healthier by offering better living conditions. Thus, the gist is that when one gets the right opportunities, one becomes successful. The first chapter ‘The Matthew Effect’ is a further exploration of this issue by analyzing the se lection to the Major Junior A Hockey. Admittedly, when one sees a hockey player who is successful, one feels that player is successful because of the player’s innate talent and skills. ... At the first glance, and even to those who watch closely, it seems that one cannot buy a position in the Major Junior A hockey. In other words, the impression is that only those who are wiling to work and only those who have ability will manage to get into Major Junior A level. While claiming that there is something not quite right with this conception, Gladwell indicates that our concept of successful people in every sphere of life is marred by a number of erroneous conceptions (10). In fact, I used to possess the view that it is possible for people to grow to any levels through hard work. Admittedly, this view was the result of reading various accounts of celebrities and entrepreneurs achieving great success in their life. They all love claiming a poor or mediocre beginning, and then reaching the zenith of success through their individual hard work and brilliance. However, rejecting all these claims, the writer points out in ‘Outliers’ that ‘all these kinds of pe rsonal explanations of success don’t work’ (Gladwell 11). Instead, the writer points out that all those successful people made advantage of various factors other than their own personal struggle to be successful. In the words of the writer, they are ‘the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot’ (Gladwell 11). The most attractive part of this chapter, admittedly, is the example of the oak tree (11). He points out that the tallest oak tree in the forest becomes the tallest not only because of its own abilities, but also because of various factors. To illustrate, other trees did not block the