OUT OF ORDER: AMERICAN DREAM

It’s either you’re in or your out! No in between or half stepping, because in this world its only up. The influence is greater, the cars are faster, and the lifestyle is better! You see where you’re at right now in your life, you made it far, but it isn’t over yet. You have places to be and people to see. How ever you get there, it isn’t going to come easy! Ask yourself, are you willing to do what it takes to be who you want to be in society? America is one of the most attracted places people want to live because of the American dream.” People from around the world come to America for a better future. As an American citizen we have this privilege and opportunity of pursuing the American dream: higher wages, higher education, start a business, better housing, all for upward social mobility. However, the occupational functions of America change, and some get left behind. Or some may say upward social mobility doesn’t seem so free? At least for those who are restricted by discrimination or structural functions. Why are some people left behind? Does America truly provide equal opportunity when it comes to upward social mobility? If America was built on Christian values, what is the biblical perspective on social mobility?

Depending on your theoretical approach determines your perspective of upward mobility. Many see upward social mobility as unfair and almost rigged. It’s almost as if our hope is to jump on the right “occupational train” for success or you’ll be left behind. Furthermore, if you don’t, how unqualified, inadequate, and unwelcomed society thinks of the people who are not on board. It manifests itself in social class gaps, less occupational opportunity’s, titles, and symbolic definitions, which cause rejection that stains the consciences of many Americans. Primarily those who live in poverty or fail to live out the American dream. It’s almost as if those who live in poverty or those who are restricted from upward mobility are sensitive to a negative response and disappointing outcomes. Hope, on the other hand provides equal opportunity for anyone to pursue upward social mobility in America’s society. Society has the power to call people higher in order to keep occupational functions running smoothly despite social class or status.

I grew up in Lancaster, Pa. You may have seen the show Amish mafia. There isn’t an Amish mafia running around with flaming torches and pitch forks by the way. Anyhow, I can’t say there was many homeless people, Lancaster is a fairly nice town. As a kid, I didn’t realize I was living in poverty. Food just popped up on the table with no question. If it didn’t it’s fine. We ate at school, a friends, or families house. If the lights got shut off in the summer, it’s a cold wet towel for a blanket, just take a cold shower before bed. Until I was old enough to compare my standard of living to other people. I knew there had to be a change and a way out of my low-income society. However, my mother made everything enjoyable and normal as possible though we lived in a lower-class neighborhood. When I was 8yrs old my mother suffered from an illness due to a narcotic prescribed by a doctor. She went into a coma for a short period of time; as a result, had amnesia for a month or so. We were told she had an allergic reaction to the medication. She was actually supposed to die yet, she manages to walk and talk again after 6 months or so. Since that moment on my mother wasn’t the same, she left my father, the way we lived wasn’t the same, and how she loved us wasn’t the same. I found myself smoking marijuana chronically at the age of 10yrs old. My habit was so bad I couldn’t read at school. All I wanted to do was run around the neighborhood with the rest of the kids, and my mom didn’t mind. By the time I was 13yrs old I begin smoking marijuana with my mother and selling drugs with the people in my neighborhood which continued throughout high school, along with other common events of those who grow up in inner city poverty in America.

So, what does this have to do with upward mobility and the American dream? Some may argue other social classes exploit those who are in the lower end of society have a small chance of sustaining upward mobility because of their present circumstances. Also, they are so “now focus” it doesn’t give the lower class hope for the future compared to the middle and upper class. If you’re in the middle class, you may plan for the future yet, are constantly facing hope and anxiety for the future. Those in higher social class also focus in the future but are concern multigenerational for their families, communities, and mankind. The reality every social class promotes upward mobility. However, I think one question is common across all social classes, why are some people left behind? Studies show that, “geography plays a role of society mobility. Where you’re from, statistically determines the percentage and level of upward of social mobility (“Does Urban Sprawl Hold Down Upward Mobility?” B.Gracec, James, and Yehua DennisWeid. 2).” The different between each community is the economic social structure that each community holds. Income growth determines the rate of upward mobility. Do you live in a service base community, a technical base community, or a labor base community? If so, what is the requirements to move up in the social structures? Sociologist agree that, social mobility is a movement of individuals or groups in an upward or downward direction in social class structures. Though movement in social class structured is determined by the its systems. Sociologist also agrees that open class systems is a class position based on achievement, hard work, education. In other words, social mobility is frequent. The closed class systems known as cast systems is based on ascription, for example sex, race, and genetics where movement is infrequent. Yet, one thought is common on among sociologist, American degree of open class systems are limited in all classes.

From a functional standpoint change in occupational structures and the responses of individuals or groups determents the mobility on one’s status in an open class system. For example, Lancaster, PA is known for its labor for many years. Men and women who worked in the labor market experienced upward mobility because of the well-balanced supply and demand of employment and opportunities. Therefore, those who worked in the labor market experienced upward mobility because income growth in Lancaster, PA was influenced by the labor market. However, the shift to a serviced base community cause a disturbance in the occupational functions both in agriculture and manufacturing industry. Lancaster city residents’ responses to this new service bases community determines their social mobility. From a functionalist point of view those who remain in the labor market may experience a wage gap from one industry to another. In this case it’s the decrease in opportunity in the labor market and increase in service market chiefly due to health services. Every occupational structure or function requires a level of skill, education, and work ethic which seeks to recruit or promote opportunity of social upward mobility. If these three demands are met, Lancaster, Pa residents are able to step in higher paying jobs. Yet, those who do not respond to the occupational shift may result in lower paid jobs, less employment opportunities, or even excessive or limited working hours which affects there standard of living and mobility. So, if one makes the proper adjustments does it mean everyone can move up in society?

As stated above functionalist believes the occupational structure determines a standard of skill or requirements an individual or group is supposed to have in order for society to function upwardly. Now what happens if one is well qualified in all areas of education and competence among other applicants. Would he or she get hired? Let say you’re a Latino male applying for a wealth management position in a predominantly white base retiring community. The chances are slim to none he would get the job. From a micro functionalist perspective, yes, he would get the job because functionalist is about keeping society functioning. However, one may say the Latino male did not get the job because of his ethnicity in a white community. This view would be a conflict approach of society. Any kind of barrier or glass ceiling an individual or group encounters due to discrimination or structural features is a cause of limited upward mobility in any society. Remember, that most sociologist disagree on the degree of open class systems in America. In other words, the land of the free isn’t so free due to discrimination and structural functions restrictions. This segregates people by sex, race, or inheritance and becomes a barrier in employment opportunities.

So, what does the bible have to do with upward social mobility? First, I do want to state Jesus isn’t against that being wealthy or moving up in society. However, what the bible does condemn is, the motive of one’s heart of obtaining wealth or the exploration of others, particularly the poor (Luke 12:15, James 5:1–6). Jesus command is a rich relationship with God, this includes following the example of Jesus Christ rather than being rich in social class, power, prestige, or privilege. The reality, in America we view power as a measure of influence, possession, and authority which contradicts what the bible teaches. Its almost as if the attitude of moving “up” in life is done with good attentions but births selfish motives. From a functionalist stand point, there has to be poor people in sociality to do lower-class work and those who have the talent are able to move up the social ladder. Let face it Jesus himself said there will always be the poor among us yet, he did not mean to treat those in need (the poor) with discontent or with less dignity (mark 14:7). Having restricted structural functions to cap someone’s mobility is a result of fear, greed, or envy which Jesus warns his disciples to stray away from. The American Dream is out of order according to the biblical perspective of social mobility. Only by following Jesus Christ commands we are in an Kingdom order. Jesus doesn’t favor the poor over the rich. He actually is mindful of the hearts of all man and is constantly aware of the motives of man. Where the rubber meets the road no matter what social class you’re in you continue and choose to follow the commands of Jesus Christ despite downward or upward mobility.

Cite Page:

B.Gracec, James, and Yehua DennisWeid. “Does Urban Sprawl Hold down Upward Mobility?” Landscape and Urban Planning, Elsevier, 6 Jan. 2016, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016920461500242X#!

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.