Intergenerational mobility refers to changes in social position across generations. Which of the following statements is true?

• A. Intergenerational mobility refers to changes in social position across generations.
• B. Intergenerational mobility refers to changes within a single person's lifetime.
• C. Intragenerational mobility refers to changes across generations.
• D. Intragenerational mobility refers to changes within a single person's lifetime.

Answer: (A)

Intergenerational mobility is about changes in a person’s social position when compared to their parents, i.e., across generations. The statement that captures this exactly says that social position changes from one generation to the next, such as a child rising into a higher occupational or income level than their parents or, conversely, falling behind.

Understanding the contrast helps: intragenerational mobility refers to changes within a single person's lifetime (for example, a career rise or decline from age 20 to 60). Statements that describe changes within one lifetime describe intragenerational mobility, not intergenerational. Statements that mix the two concepts—saying intragenerational mobility is about changes across generations or mislabeling intergenerational mobility—are not accurate definitions of intergenerational mobility.