User:Wojci028/downward mobility: Difference between revisions
I am only putting this information in the site to see if you guys see anything worth keeping. Feel free to delete or edit if you want. |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
<!-- Please do not remove or change this AfD message until the issue is settled --> |
|||
{{AfDM|page=Downward Mobility|date=2008 May 6|substed=yes}} |
|||
<!-- For administrator use only: {{oldafdfull|page=Downward Mobility|date=6 May 2008|result='''keep'''}} --> |
|||
<!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point --> |
|||
{{orphan|date=May 2008}} |
|||
'''Downward Mobility''' is a specific form of social mobility. It pertains only to those progressing down the economic slope instead of following the general "upward" trend. Downward mobility is a rather unspoken phenomenon in the United States. This is demonstrated by the lack of rituals to commemorate events that correspond with a slip down the social slope (for example, to celebrate upward mobility, Americans utilize rituals such as: Graduation Parties, housewarming parties and award ceremonies). Downward mobility is thought of by some to be a simplification of lifestyle. In these cases it is sought after.<ref name= Corbett>Corbett, Bob. "Corbett: Simple Life, Downward Mobility." Webster. May 1984. Webster University. 8 May 2008 <http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/philosophy/simple/downward.html>.</ref> |
'''Downward Mobility''' is a specific form of social mobility. It pertains only to those progressing down the economic slope instead of following the general "upward" trend. Downward mobility is a rather unspoken phenomenon in the United States. This is demonstrated by the lack of rituals to commemorate events that correspond with a slip down the social slope (for example, to celebrate upward mobility, Americans utilize rituals such as: Graduation Parties, housewarming parties and award ceremonies). Downward mobility is thought of by some to be a simplification of lifestyle. In these cases it is sought after.<ref name= Corbett>Corbett, Bob. "Corbett: Simple Life, Downward Mobility." Webster. May 1984. Webster University. 8 May 2008 <http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/philosophy/simple/downward.html>.</ref> |
||
Revision as of 11:51, 8 May 2008
This template is being used in the wrong namespace. To nominate this user page for deletion, go to Miscellany for deletion.
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
Downward Mobility is a specific form of social mobility. It pertains only to those progressing down the economic slope instead of following the general "upward" trend. Downward mobility is a rather unspoken phenomenon in the United States. This is demonstrated by the lack of rituals to commemorate events that correspond with a slip down the social slope (for example, to celebrate upward mobility, Americans utilize rituals such as: Graduation Parties, housewarming parties and award ceremonies). Downward mobility is thought of by some to be a simplification of lifestyle. In these cases it is sought after.[1]
Managers & Downwardly Mobile Families
Theories put forth by Katherine S. Newman in her ethnography, "Falling From Grace" detail downward mobility specifically. She describes the downwardly mobile family as distressed and undermined by downward mobility.[2] One of her focus points is the effect of growing up in a downwardly mobile family on children. The children in her ethnography sometimes display adverse behavioral and perceptual abnormalities. For instance, the youngest sibling in the Miller family (one of the families studied by Newman) was showered with as much as the family could afford. He became quite spoiled, as his elder sister commented
Whatever my youngest brother wanted when he was a kid, he got it, even though they didn't have the money. When he asked for something he just got it. If he lost something expensive, it was replaced. To me that was just amazing. As a result, he isn't happy with anything less than the most expensive items you can find. But since he was only seven when they started on food stamps, he really thinks of himself as a poor kid. He's a mass of contradictions.[2]
Newman interprets this effect to display that downward mobility is a shared experience, and only exists when viewed through the multiple perspectives of each member of the family.
Newman states that in downwardly mobile families children often grow up too fast for their own liking. They're frequently stuck doing bills and taking care of younger siblings when they should be out learning to socialize with their peers.[2]
Downward mobility was uncommon during the boom after WWII, but after 1973 it became a steadily growing problem.[3] Consequences to the downwardly mobile family include, but are not limited to: reduced consumption, investment, and savings[3]; as well as reduced social lives and mental health.[2]
Downward Mobility and the Other
To some, downward mobility is a blessing to be sought after and achieved as shown by Bob Corbett's essay, "Downward Mobility and the Other".[1] The essay is philosophically based, and functions nearly like a self-help essay, rather than stating facts about America's economic status or discussing the psychological implications for those affected.
Corbett believes that the fast pace of American culture and its citizens' tendencies to look for meaning in life have a connection. He goes on to state how to remedy feelings of discomfort.[1]
Theory
Upward mobility, in contrast with common thought, is seen by Corbett as a negative. "[His] position is to show that we need liberation from upward mobility as a LIFEFORM (emphasis his)." [1] He stresses that while we still need to provide for our families, one ought to tone down emphasis on luxury items. He does not advocate living in poverty, however.
Corbett implies that all items that do not fit in the following list are luxurious in nature and should be reduced[1]:
* basic nutritional food * adequate shelter and warmth * adequate health and dental care * educational opportunities * living in an atmosphere of safety and personal security * living in an atmosphere where one can grow as an individual
Corbett goes on to state that we should not shun technology. The philosophy of "everything in moderation" represents his stance quite accurately. He is not for socialist or communist ways of life either, rather he believes that moderated competition is fine as long as everyone has their basic needs (as outlined above) met.[1]
Corbett proposes two ways to get what you want in life later in the essay. He proposes that you can work harder and want more (representing upward mobility), or you can simply lower your standards and want less. He proposes that the latter is the healthier of the two as the first creates tension and is unsustainable in the long run. He specifically targets upward mobility as shortsighted, saying "the logic of upward mobility ignores the limits of the planet".[1] Corbett's attitude toward the environment is a liberal one. He assumes that much of what he writes is common knowledge and fails to cite sources to back up his statements about the state of our environment.
Proposed Practice
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Corbett, Bob. "Corbett: Simple Life, Downward Mobility." Webster. May 1984. Webster University. 8 May 2008 <http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/philosophy/simple/downward.html>. Cite error: The named reference "Corbett" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c d e Newman, Katherine S. Falling From Grace. Berkeley: University of California P, 1999. Cite error: The named reference "Newman" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Smith, Patricia K. "Downward Mobility: is It a Growing Problem?" American Journal of Economics and Sociology, The (1994): 1-14. 8 May 2008 <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0254/is_n1_v53/ai_15163028>. Cite error: The named reference "Smith" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).