ladder? Individuals often make conscious decisions, which will affect their likelihood of an achieving higher status in society. Looking at social class from a micro perspective we see that social class is in part determined by the individual due to factors such as choice of education, work, and religion. In addition to these deciding factors, we need to look at what motivates people to make decisions that will inhibit or enhance one's ability to obtain higher social status.

Education for an individual during youth is usually determined by a parent or guardian; however, later in schooling one's schooling is subject to personal choices and preferences. Education is directly related to what type of career or quality of career one may receive. Various factors influence the choices one may make concerning education. Factors, which are examined, include: Importance of personal education, cost, quality and reputation, job market and personal obligations. In viewing all these factors, we see that one's acquiring social classis a complex decision based process resulting from a multitude of personal choices.

Importance of personal education may be affected by family and social environment; regardless, importance of personal education ultimately affects social status. If education is of little importance or of significant importance, it will affect the quality or extent of education; therefore affecting the type of employment, you may be qualified and it's likelihood of advancement. Personal like or dislike of school may result in poor quality of work or lack of completing high school or post secondary; therefore limiting your career options. One may simply choose not to further his or her education based solely to the fact that they disliked school. By choosing to avoid school, the individual social status will be affected due to lack of education and lack of career opportunities. Individuals who fall into the category of disliking school may view it as something that they must endure but quickly forget. Some people have had a bad experience early in their education and may resent school and avoid it. It is far more likely that the individual, who likes education will follow through with schooling, receive post-secondary or University education, Thus giving them more opportunity to obtain higher social status. Job Futures 2000 says, "Occupations requiring less than post-secondary completion are becoming fewer, while occupations requiring post-secondary training are growing significantly and will provide more job opportunities"(HRDC Website).

Family and personal obligations may affect a persons likelihood of continuing in school. One may have to support a family and not be able to sacrifice the time and money involved in furthering his or her education. This is also seen to go in the opposite direction as well. One may choose to further their education in order to acquire a higher paying job to support their family obligations, thus also enhancing their social status. A preference for some is living closely to friends and relations. This may affect the likelihood of moving to a location better suited for achieving higher status in respect to career and education. If an individual makes the choice to stay close to family and friend, they may be choosing to inhibit the variety of education and career available to them; although some may still be fortunate enough to have a sufficient educational institutions near by and opportunity for a good career.

Less personal then Churches sect members reject worldly things, social class being one of them. Members often practice charity and generosity. (Jehovah's Witness or Children of God) Sects are known to be closely knit and to place strong demands on their members. Sect members do not tend to focus a great deal on social class, more often than not, they disassociate themselves from it an example of this is, Amish. Max Weber is quoted in the book Sociology and religion by Norman Birnbaun and Gertrud Lenzer that "The sect is a specifically anti-political or at least apolitical group" (pg. 320). Individuals who choose to join a sect usually adopt the rigours standards placed upon them by the sect leaders. Taking into consideration that most sects view social class as "of this world" most sect believers will refrain from advancing socially and becoming self-important; therefore sect members my be inhibited by their beliefs to obtain higher social status.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lorne Tepperman, , Job Market, Mormon Non-established, Website Cost, Gertrud Lenzer, Catholic Protestant, Despite Canadians, Association Boarding, Anglicans Baptist, social status, social class, job market, obtain social, accompanied social, manual labour, obtain social status, social stratification, job market demand, importance personal, personal satisfaction, market demand, accompanied social class, ones social status, importance personal education,
Approximate Word count = 2848
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)