Define 'social mobility'.

Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or groups to move up or down the social hierarchy. This movement can occur between different social classes, economic tiers, or occupational statuses and is an essential aspect of understanding social structures and stratification in society. It can be measured in various ways, such as intergenerational mobility, which examines how children's social status compares to that of their parents, or intragenerational mobility, which looks at changes within an individual's own life.

This definition highlights the fluidity and dynamics within social systems, where factors like education, economic opportunities, and social networks play crucial roles in determining an individual's social standing. Understanding social mobility is vital for assessing the equality of opportunity within a society and the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting equity and access to resources.

Other options do not align with this definition. For instance, gender socialization pertains to how individuals learn and internalize the behaviors and expectations associated with their gender, which is unrelated to the hierarchical movement of individuals in society. Similarly, cultural superiority deals with ethnocentrism, focusing on the judgment of cultures rather than social structures. Lastly, the withdrawal from social roles with age speaks to the aging process and social engagement rather than mobility within the social ladder. Thus, the