The concept of social mobility is deemed as moving up the food chain, which has its advantages and disadvantages. When people talk of social mobility, they are usually referring to upward mobility and entirely neglecting downward mobility. The majority prefers to root for the underdog, as it gives meaning to the American dream. When someone rises from the slums to the elite society, it springs hope in the hearts of millions (or perhaps billions) of underprivileged human beings to improve upon a poverty stricken or frugal life. We all live for a ‘rags to riches’, and a ‘riches to rags’ story. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Barrack Obama are perfect examples of ordinary people who made it big, whilst destroying stereotypes.

Many people are successful at climbing the social ladder, through hard work or by making the right connections; some just get lucky. Social mobility is surprisingly greater among developing nations rather than the most developed countries of the world, such as the UK and US. The larger the income gap, the lower is the social mobility within the country. Making your way up from a lower to higher class is not as easy as it seems. Those who have accomplished the task did not necessarily do it the right way; people have sacrificed the well-being of others and gotten their hands dirty to escape indigence. Would you support white collar crimes such as money laundering and embezzlement just because it allowed some pitiful soul to access the better things in life?

The family background and childhood of a person has a profound impact on what they will do with their life. A child born to the CEO of an oil company and dean of a prestigious university is inclined towards a life of prosperity. On the other hand, a child who is born to a family who works in a cornfield to get by might even lack the ability to dream big. Kids from poor households do not have the opportunities to shine as opposed to the rich breed.

If you look at the bigger picture, social mobility does promise a better world for the lower classes. The government has tweaked national policies to eradicate discrimination. Minorities and people of color are being given greater opportunities, as far as education and employment is concerned. However, inequality is not something that can be eliminated overnight by making a few changes. Many public and private organizations are striving to open new doors for the underprivileged. Everyone is born equal, but there is too much disparity in the distribution of wealth.

Despite the benefits of upward social mobility, the world would lose its balance if everyone reached the top of the food chain. The competition for the best jobs, education, and other living facilities would become fierce than ever. On the other hand, no one would be willing to undertake the roles belonging to lower class individuals. Many people migrate for the sake of social mobility; cities become overcrowded and rural areas remain neglected. Social mobility is closely linked with a person’s financial situation, which makes the idea sound somewhat materialistic. If we stop dividing people into a social hierarchy, we might progressively attain equality.