On the one hand, in a closed society with a caste system, mobility can be difficult or
impossible. Social position in a caste system is decided by assignment rather than attainment. This means people are either born into or marry within their family's caste; changing caste systems is very rare. An example of the rigid segregation of caste systems occurs today in India, where people born into the lowest caste (the “untouchables”) and can never become members of a higher caste. South Africa also has a caste system. On the other hand, in an open society with a class
system, mobility is possible. The positions in this stratification system depend more on achieved status, like education, than on ascribed status, like gender. For example, the United States' social stratification is of this type, meaning movement between social strata is easier and occurs more frequently. Patterns of social mobility Sociologists in the United States have been particularly interested in this latter form of mobility, as it seems to characterize the “American Dream” of
opportunity and “rags to riches” possibilities. Structural mobility and individual mobility Back to Top journal article A Clarification of "Ascribed Status" and "Achieved Status"The Sociological Quarterly Vol. 10, No. 1 (Winter, 1969) , pp. 53-61 (9 pages) Published By: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4105001 This is a preview. Log in to get access Journal Information The Sociological Quarterly is devoted to publishing cutting-edge research and theory in all areas of sociological inquiry. Our focus is on publishing the best in sociological research and writing to advance the discipline and reach the widest possible audience. Since 1960, the contributors and readers of The Sociological Quarterly have made it one of the leading generalist journals in the field. Each issue is designed for efficient browsing and reading and the articles are helpful for teaching and classroom use. Publisher Information Building on two centuries' experience, Taylor & Francis has grown rapidlyover the last two decades to become a leading international academic publisher.The Group publishes over 800 journals and over 1,800 new books each year, coveringa wide variety of subject areas and incorporating the journal imprints of Routledge,Carfax, Spon Press, Psychology Press, Martin Dunitz, and Taylor & Francis.Taylor & Francis is fully committed to the publication and dissemination of scholarly information of the highest quality, and today this remains the primary goal. Rights & Usage This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. What system is based on ascribed status?Caste system
Castes are an example of a stratification structure based on ascribed status. Although each caste system works differently, generally everyone is born into a specific caste and the caste of the parents generally determines the status of their children, regardless of ability or merit.
What type of social stratification is based on a person's ascribed status?A caste system is one in which social standing is based on ascribed status or birth. Class systems are open, with achievement playing a role in social position. People fall into classes based on factors like wealth, income, education, and occupation.
Which system allows for the most social mobility?Of the three systems of stratification discussed so far, class systems are by far the most open, meaning they have the most vertical mobility.
What is social mobility determined by?Social mobility is highly dependent on the overall structure of social statuses and occupations in a given society. The extent of differing social positions and the manner in which they fit together or overlap provides the overall social structure of such positions.
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