Why Is It Difficult for Women to Become Socially Mobile in a 3rd World Situation

COUSRE CODE/ TITLE: PGDGS 703: GENDER AND GENETICS

LECTURER: DR USMAN

DISCUSS: WHY IS IT DIFFICULT FOR WOMEN TO BECOME SOCIALLY MOBILE IN A 3RD WORLD SITUATION

SUBMITTED BY OBINNA E. OKORO

REG NO: 2007/07052,

CENTER FOR GENDER SECURITY STUDIES AND ADVANCEMENT,

UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA, NIGERIA.

DATE: 12TH DECEMBER, 2007

THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL MOBILITY

Social mobility is the degree to which, in a given society, an individual's, family's, or group's social status can change throughout the course of their life through a system of social hierarchy or stratification. Subsequently, it is also the degree to which that individual's or group's descendants move up and down the class system. It can also be defined as the act of moving from one social status to another. The degree to which an individual can move through their system can be based on attributes and achievements or factors beyond their control.

Furthermore, the study of social mobility can be differentiated into two distinct traditions: a sociological tradition and an economic tradition. The sociological tradition is based on an understanding of the structure of society defined by an occupational hierarchy, while the economic tradition tends to focus on income groups. Both of these approaches have significant merits for the study of social mobility

RULES OF STATUS IN RELATION TO SOCIAL MOBILITY: ASCRIPTION AND ACHIEVEMENT

Achieved status is a position gained based on merit, or achievement (used in an open system). Ascribed status is a position based on who a person is, not what they can do (used in a closed system). When this ascriptive status rule is used (Medieval Europe, India), people are placed in a position based on personal traits beyond their control. This is closely related to the situation of women and the prevalent gender inequality in third world countries. Mobility is...