A social phenomenon in which individuals or groups who have successfully advanced in status, wealth, or opportunity then act to block others from accessing the same path upward.
Key Features:
Motivated by fear of competition, scarcity mindset, or desire to protect hard-won status.
Can manifest in politics (e.g., immigrants opposing immigration), economics (e.g., professionals gatekeeping their fields), or class mobility (e.g., elites dismantling welfare or education programs they once benefited from).
Example (fictional): Raymond Leon in the movie "In Time" rises out of poverty to become a Timekeeper but enforces the very system that traps others where he once was.
Example (real): An immigrant who gained citizenship but campaigns to restrict immigration for others.
Key Features:
Motivated by fear of competition, scarcity mindset, or desire to protect hard-won status.
Can manifest in politics (e.g., immigrants opposing immigration), economics (e.g., professionals gatekeeping their fields), or class mobility (e.g., elites dismantling welfare or education programs they once benefited from).
Example (fictional): Raymond Leon in the movie "In Time" rises out of poverty to become a Timekeeper but enforces the very system that traps others where he once was.
Example (real): An immigrant who gained citizenship but campaigns to restrict immigration for others.
1. After becoming wealthy through public education, the politician now opposes funding for schools, effectively pulling up the ladder behind him.
2. Some immigrants, once they gain citizenship, support restrictive immigration policies — a classic case of pulling up the ladder.
2. Some immigrants, once they gain citizenship, support restrictive immigration policies — a classic case of pulling up the ladder.
by Social Climber September 16, 2025
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Since ladderal movement is so common --- AND so DANGEROUS --- it's wise to have a second person grip and steady said "wobbly Werner" whenever possible.
by QuacksO November 18, 2025
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Mo: Ima gonna borrow my father’s camel ladder that he uses to fuck giraffes.
by SukonMedick November 7, 2023
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Exhibit A: HOLY SHIT SLOW DOWN, STOP LADDERING
Exhibit B: hi
Exhibit B: so like
Exhibit B: i found this cool website
Exhibit B: and it's awesome
Exhibit B: you can do a lot on it
Exhibit B: mind if i send you the link?
Exhibit A: HOLY SHIT SLOW DOWN, STOP LADDERING
by conkkerxd April 22, 2025
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