Abstract
It remains unclear whether social mobility is increasing in the advanced nations. The answer may depend on mobility patterns within very recent birth cohorts. We use the inter-generational module in the 2005 EU-SILC which allows us to include more recent cohorts. Comparing across two Nordic and three Continental European countries, we estimate inter-generational mobility trends for sons both indirectly, via social origin effects on educational attainment, and directly in terms of adult income attainment. In line with other studies we find substantially more mobility in Scandinavia, but also that traditionally less mobile societies, like Spain, are moving towards greater equality. We focus particularly on non-linear relations. Most interestingly, we reveal evident asymmetries in the process of equalizing life chances, in Denmark. The disadvantages associated with low social class origins have largely disappeared, but the advantages related to privileged origins persist.
Highlights
Research on inter-generational mobility has been on a roller-coaster ride over the past decades
The impact of educational reform emerged as a key issue, not surprisingly considering that origindestination relations are increasingly mediated by origin effects on educational attainment (Breen and Luijkx, 2004)
The learning-begets-learning hypothesis offers another credible account for Scandinavian exceptionalism
Summary
Research on inter-generational mobility has been on a roller-coaster ride over the past decades. The seminal studies of Erikson and Goldthorpe (1992) and Shavit and Blossfeld (1993) depicted a scenario of persistently strong origin effects, be it in terms of educational attainment or of social class mobility.. The seminal studies of Erikson and Goldthorpe (1992) and Shavit and Blossfeld (1993) depicted a scenario of persistently strong origin effects, be it in terms of educational attainment or of social class mobility.1 Yet, both studies suggested that Sweden had broken the Gordian Knot of social inheritance. There is mounting evidence that other countries, too, are becoming less class-ridden This is primarily in terms of the influence of origin on educational attainment (Breen and Jonsson, 2005; Breen et al, 2009). Recent studies that focus on direct origin effects, i.e on offspring’s career outcomes, are more likely to support the constant flux thesis – be it in Norway (Mastekaase, 2011), in Britain (Bukodi and Goldthorpe, 2011), in Italy (Barone, 2009), or in Spain (Carabaña, 1999). 2
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
