Research on Current Situation and Countermeasures of U.S. Social Mobility and Stratification in the 21st Century

Research Article
Open access

Research on Current Situation and Countermeasures of U.S. Social Mobility and Stratification in the 21st Century

Yufei Chen 1*
  • 1 Beijing No.8 High School    
  • *corresponding author qingy@ldy.edu.rs
LNEP Vol.97
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-137-2
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-138-9

Abstract

This study examines the structural and institutional drivers of social stratification and declining intergenerational mobility in the United States during the 21st century. By integrating quantitative data from longitudinal studies and qualitative insights from marginalized communities, the analysis identifies three key challenges: (1) technological disruption disproportionately displacing low-skilled workers, (2) systemic discrimination in education and labor markets, and (3) regressive tax policies exacerbating wealth concentration. These structural barriers collectively depress mobility rates by an estimated 40%, as quantified by this decomposition analysis. The research proposes a holistic policy framework combining progressive taxation, universal childcare projected to increase maternal employment by 13 percentage points, and anti-discrimination legislation to mitigate these issues. Comparative analysis with OECD nations, such as Denmark’s 11% intergenerational mobility rate versus the U.S.’s 5%, underscores the urgency of institutional reforms. The framework’s implementation could elevate U.S. mobility to Scandinavian levels within two generations. The findings highlight the necessity of addressing intersecting economic, racial, and gender inequalities to restore equitable mobility pathways.

Keywords:

Social Stratification, Intergenerational Mobility, Institutional Discrimination, Policy Reform, Technological Disruption

Chen,Y. (2025). Research on Current Situation and Countermeasures of U.S. Social Mobility and Stratification in the 21st Century. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,97,19-25.
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References

[1]. Saez, E., & Zucman, G. (2020). The rise of income and wealth inequality in America: Evidence from distributional macroeconomic accounts. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(4), 3-26.

[2]. Chetty, R., Hendren, N., Kline, P., & Saez, E. (2014). Where is the Land of Opportunity. The geography of.

[3]. Wilson, W. J. (1987). The Truly Disadvantaged University of Chicago Press. Chicago IL.

[4]. Autor, D., Dorn, D., Katz, L. F., Patterson, C., & Van Reenen, J. (2020). The fall of the labor share and the rise of superstar firms. The Quarterly journal of economics, 135(2), 645-709.

[5]. Ray, V. (2019). A theory of racialized organizations. American sociological review, 84(1), 26-53.

[6]. Ratcliffe, C., Heck, P., Burke, J., Davies, M., Kennady, M., & Wilson, E. (2023). Insights into Consumers’ Financial Standing and Distress from 2019-2022: Evidence from a CDFI. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Research Reports Series, (23-3).

[7]. Creamer, J., Shrider, E. A., Burns, K., & Chen, F. (2022). Poverty in the United States: 2021. US Census Bureau.

[8]. Broady, K., Barr, A., Booth-Bell, D., & Cain, L. (2024). Racial Wealth Gains and Gaps: Nine Facts About the Disparities.

[9]. Fotta, A. (2024). Gender Wage Gap in the US: Implications for Human Resource Management. Journal of Applied Professional Studies, 5(11).

[10]. Bank, W. World development report 2021: data for better lives. The World Bank, 2021.

[11]. Autor, D. H., Dorn, D., Hanson, G. H., & Song, J. (2013). Trade Adjustment: Worker - Level Evidence. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 128(4), 1799 - 1860.

[12]. Irwin, V., De La Rosa, J., Wang, K., Hein, S., Zhang, J., Burr, R., ... & Parker, S. (2022). Report on the Condition of Education 2022. NCES 2022-144. National Center for Education Statistics.

[13]. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2021). Policy Basics: Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go? Retrieved from https://www.cbpp.org

[14]. Bertrand, M., & Mullainathan, S. (2004). Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination. American Economic Review, 94(4), 991 - 1013.

[15]. Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the twenty-first century: a multidimensional approach to the history of capital and social classes. British Journal of Sociology, 65(4).

[16]. Arabandi, B., Boren, Z., & Campbell, A. (2021). Building Sustainable Apprenticeships. Urban Institute, February.

[17]. Ebers, M. (2023). The European Commission's Proposal for an Artificial Intelligence Act. In Research Handbook on EU Internet Law (pp. 271-292). Edward Elgar Publishing.

[18]. Ojha, U. (2022). Towards fairness AI: A data-centric approach (Doctoral dissertation, Politecnico di Torino).

[19]. Kreiner, C. T., & Svarer, M. (2022). Danish flexicurity: Rights and duties. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 36(4), 81-102.

Cite this article

Chen,Y. (2025). Research on Current Situation and Countermeasures of U.S. Social Mobility and Stratification in the 21st Century. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,97,19-25.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceeding of ICGPSH 2025 Symposium: The Globalization of Connection: Language, Supply Chain, Tariff, and Trade Wars

ISBN：978-1-80590-137-2(Print) / 978-1-80590-138-9(Online)
Editor：Enrique Mallen, Canh Thien Dang
Conference website: https://2025.icgpsh.org/London.html
Conference date: 25 June 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.97
ISSN：2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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References

[1]. Saez, E., & Zucman, G. (2020). The rise of income and wealth inequality in America: Evidence from distributional macroeconomic accounts. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(4), 3-26.

[2]. Chetty, R., Hendren, N., Kline, P., & Saez, E. (2014). Where is the Land of Opportunity. The geography of.

[3]. Wilson, W. J. (1987). The Truly Disadvantaged University of Chicago Press. Chicago IL.

[4]. Autor, D., Dorn, D., Katz, L. F., Patterson, C., & Van Reenen, J. (2020). The fall of the labor share and the rise of superstar firms. The Quarterly journal of economics, 135(2), 645-709.

[5]. Ray, V. (2019). A theory of racialized organizations. American sociological review, 84(1), 26-53.

[6]. Ratcliffe, C., Heck, P., Burke, J., Davies, M., Kennady, M., & Wilson, E. (2023). Insights into Consumers’ Financial Standing and Distress from 2019-2022: Evidence from a CDFI. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Research Reports Series, (23-3).

[7]. Creamer, J., Shrider, E. A., Burns, K., & Chen, F. (2022). Poverty in the United States: 2021. US Census Bureau.

[8]. Broady, K., Barr, A., Booth-Bell, D., & Cain, L. (2024). Racial Wealth Gains and Gaps: Nine Facts About the Disparities.

[9]. Fotta, A. (2024). Gender Wage Gap in the US: Implications for Human Resource Management. Journal of Applied Professional Studies, 5(11).

[10]. Bank, W. World development report 2021: data for better lives. The World Bank, 2021.

[11]. Autor, D. H., Dorn, D., Hanson, G. H., & Song, J. (2013). Trade Adjustment: Worker - Level Evidence. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 128(4), 1799 - 1860.

[12]. Irwin, V., De La Rosa, J., Wang, K., Hein, S., Zhang, J., Burr, R., ... & Parker, S. (2022). Report on the Condition of Education 2022. NCES 2022-144. National Center for Education Statistics.

[13]. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2021). Policy Basics: Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go? Retrieved from https://www.cbpp.org

[14]. Bertrand, M., & Mullainathan, S. (2004). Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination. American Economic Review, 94(4), 991 - 1013.

[15]. Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the twenty-first century: a multidimensional approach to the history of capital and social classes. British Journal of Sociology, 65(4).

[16]. Arabandi, B., Boren, Z., & Campbell, A. (2021). Building Sustainable Apprenticeships. Urban Institute, February.

[17]. Ebers, M. (2023). The European Commission's Proposal for an Artificial Intelligence Act. In Research Handbook on EU Internet Law (pp. 271-292). Edward Elgar Publishing.

[18]. Ojha, U. (2022). Towards fairness AI: A data-centric approach (Doctoral dissertation, Politecnico di Torino).

[19]. Kreiner, C. T., & Svarer, M. (2022). Danish flexicurity: Rights and duties. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 36(4), 81-102.

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