Social Mobility Research Articles

The impact of agricultural development on socioeconomic well-being: A sociological review of African case studies and implications for U. S. policies

This sociological review examines the impact of agricultural development on socioeconomic well-being in African communities, drawing on case studies that highlight the role of social factors—class, ethnicity, and community networks—in shaping development outcomes. African agricultural initiatives have revealed complex interactions between economic and social dimensions, demonstrating that agricultural growth alone does not automatically translate to equitable socioeconomic benefits. The influence of class disparities often means that wealthier groups gain disproportionately from development projects, while marginalized ethnicities and lower-income communities encounter barriers to economic participation. Community networks, however, play a critical role in mitigating such inequalities by promoting resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and resilience-building within rural societies. This analysis offers valuable insights for U.S. policy aimed at rural poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Specifically, it suggests that U.S. agricultural policies could benefit from integrating sociological perspectives that address social disparities and strengthen community bonds within rural areas. By recognizing the role of social capital and community networks, U.S. policies could enhance resource accessibility and foster inclusive economic growth, particularly in underserved rural regions. The review concludes by identifying directions for future research, emphasizing the need to explore how agricultural development influences social mobility within rural communities, particularly regarding class and ethnic dynamics. Additional areas for investigation include the intersection of economic development and social inequality, as well as the sociological impacts of agricultural policies on rural household dynamics. Understanding these relationships can inform policies that not only support agricultural productivity but also ensure that growth leads to improved well-being across all social groups.

Nepal’s Status‐Seeking Endeavors: Between Normative Convergence and Geopolitical Interests

Due to limited material and geopolitical factors, the agency of small states is limited in international politics. As such, these states may seek to mitigate such weaknesses through status-seeking, adopting peculiar foreign policy approaches or international commitments to signal to more powerful actors about specific political or normative affinities. In this article, the conceptual framework of social identity theory, specifically social mobility, is used to assess Nepal’s foreign policy choices. It is argued that Nepal pursues the identity management strategy of social mobility in the form of normative conformance with more powerful actors to reinforce its status in the international community but not necessarily to rise up in the hierarchy of states. Social mobility through normative conformance not only allows Nepal to elevate its status with higher-status groups like the EU, the UN, and US (which are the country’s primary development partners), but it also reinforces Nepal’s interest in maintaining (and if possible, expanding) its agency as a sovereign state which is constrained due to its geopolitical location in between much larger neighbors, India and China. Nepal’s normative convergence efforts are broadly categorized into two specific types of commitments: (a) multilateralism and (b) normative congruence with development partners. Both of these normative conformance approaches seek to emulate the values and practices of the higher-status group—the US, the UN, and the EU.

The Making of New Elites and the Reproduction of Social Inequality at St. Paul’s: An Analysis from the Perspective of Classical Sociological Theories

This paper examines how social inequality is reproduced in elite educational institutions through a meritocratic system, using Shamus Khan’s Privilege: The Making of Adolescent Elite at St. Paul’s School as a case study. Drawing upon classical sociological theories, including Goffman’s performance theory, Weber’s work ethic, and Veblen’s concept of vicarious consumption, the paper explores how the new elite learn to maintain their social status. It argues that, while the appearance of diversity and meritocracy in these elite spaces suggests equality, these institutions continue to cultivate privilege through subtle yet powerful social practices. Key mechanisms include the cultivation of 'ease' in social situations, the performance of 'hard work,' and the idealization of students as inherently extraordinary. The study also investigates the role of elite parents, arguing that sending children to prestigious schools serves as a form of vicarious consumption, displaying the family's wealth and social capital. Despite the appearance of openness and fluid social mobility, the paper concludes that access to elite training remains restricted, reinforcing entrenched inequalities.

A long view of social mobility in Scotland and therole of economic changes.

Changes in the social mobility of men in Scotland between the late-19th and the late-twentieth century are examined using new individual-level data from nineteenth-century censuses, linking records of men aged 0-19 in 1871 to their records in 1901, and then comparing their patterns with the social mobility of men aged 30-49 in 1974 and in 2001 as recorded in social surveys at these dates. The extent of social mobility in the nineteenth century was large. In particular, the social origins of people in the highest classes-the salariat-were very varied, indicating a society that was more open than is sometimes supposed. There was a slow growth in social mobility between then and 2001. In both periods, class inheritance-sons in the same social class as their father-was strongest in the economically declining sectors, which were agriculture and fisheries in 1901 and industry in 1974 and 2001. In the 1901 data, however, the transition to a non-agricultural economy induced strong outward mobility from agriculture.

Book Review: Shadow Education in the Middle East

Since the 1990s, private supplementary tutoring has become increasingly prevalent across the globe. Such form of tutoring is often referred to as ‘shadow education’ because it ‘mimics schooling’ (p. 4). As such, ‘as the curriculum changes in the schools, so it changes in the shadow; and as the school systems expand, so do shadow systems’ (p. 4). This has inspired numerous scholars to explore its contributing factors and their implications for education policymaking, social mobility, and equity. Shadow Education in the Middle East: Private supplementary tutoring and its policy implications, co-authored by Mark Bray and Anas Hajar, is the latest addition the study of shadow education as a global phenomenon. It builds on Mark Bray and others’ existing works on mapping the global landscape of shadow education, including post-Soviet states (Silova et al., 2006), the Mediterranean (Bray et al., 2013), East Asia (Zhang and Yamato, 2018), South Asia (Joshi, 2021), and Africa (Bray, 2021).

Changed Reality, Changed Positions: The Case Study of Eritrean Women Refugees in Times of Global Pandemic

ABSTRACTThis article examines the emerging position of women refugees during a global crisis. On the basis of an empirical study of the Eritrean community in Tel Aviv, Israel, I analysed the ways in which gender identity is formulated and recreated following the social and economic restrictions of the Covid‐19 pandemic. In contrast to previous literature which has highlighted men's central position in forced migrant communities, I suggest viewing the global pandemic as an accelerator of women's presence in two circles of belonging: the family unit and the Eritrean community. I argue that structural changes imposed by the pandemic have established new gender roles and divisions of power, positioning women as a source of authority and a subject of choice. As a significant proportion of Eritrean men lost their income during the pandemic, they were forced to adopt a different role within the family unit. Eritrean women, on the other hand, managed to keep their jobs and became the family's sole provider. In addition to increasing their family's economic dependence on them, Eritrean women also became central figures in their community through the creation of new social networks designed to satisfy the emotional and economic needs of its members. This has enabled women refugees to reinforce their social mobility and become relatively autonomous.

Ideological tensions between the English language teaching system and cosmopolitan aspirations in the South Korean context: reflections from a group of bilingual Koreans

ABSTRACT Increasing cross-border interconnectedness continuously shapes perceptions and ideologies of the English language. This qualitative research explores the complex tensions between local ideologies and globalisation influences on English teaching practices in South Korea from the perspective of bilingual English-speaking Koreans. Findings highlight that English serves as crucial cultural capital, influencing social mobility, but the prevailing prestige ideology often leads to an instrumental approach to learning that may hinder effective communicative competence. There is a noticeable tension between the narrow focus on English for competitive advantage and the broader global perspectives of younger Koreans. Although the current English Language Teaching (ELT) system emphasises local competitiveness, students’ increasing exposure to transnational influences necessitates a shift in teaching strategies. To better reflect the realities of a multicultural society, this study suggests adapting ELT practices to focus more on identity negotiation and less on rigid linguistic structures, considering the diverse experiences within contemporary Korean society.

Mobility for All: Representative Intergenerational Mobility Estimates over the Twentieth Century

Mobility for All: Representative Intergenerational Mobility Estimates over the Twentieth Century

The Gendered Impact of In-State Tuition Policies on Undocumented Immigrants’ College Enrollment, Graduation, and Employment

Executive Summary Assessing the impact of policies offering in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented immigrant youth is highly pertinent from a policy perspective. Eligible immigrants arrived as children and the United States is often the only home they have ever known. Without the right to stay or a path to citizenship, they cannot achieve their full potential as productive members of society. Policies improving access to higher education have the potential to elevate their social mobility and amplify economic contributions by improving job prospects and bolstering tax revenues. Since 2001, roughly half of the U.S. states have expanded in-state college tuition benefits to undocumented immigrants. Around one-third of states have also provided financial aid; yet approximately one-tenth have imposed heightened barriers to accessing higher education. While early studies found an increase in enrollment in states with in-state tuition policies, recent studies accounting for additional state policies found no impact on enrollment. These results mask varying impacts based on gender and marital status. We assess these policies, control for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and analyze the impact of in-state tuition on college enrollment, graduation rates, employment, and self-employment. Our analysis relies on data from the 2005 to 2019 American Community Survey. To identify individuals who are the most likely to be undocumented and affected by the policy, we focus on noncitizen Hispanic youth, excluding those likely authorized (e.g., licensed professionals, veterans, and refugees). That said, we are assuming that state policies are the same for all undocumented residents, not just the Hispanics in our sample. Our findings are as follows: - In our sample, there are 17,649 likely undocumented Hispanic men (14,249 women) aged 18–22 years who completed high school and arrived in the U.S. prior to age 16 years. Approximately 75 percent of them are Mexican. - The data reveals that approximately 30 percent of men are enrolled in college. Access to in-state tuition boosts enrollment by 7.2 percentage points for Hispanic men and by 13.2 percentage points for Mexican men. This response is driven by married men. Men in general do not graduate at higher rates. - Women enroll in college at the same rate across states. However, access to lower tuition raises graduation rates by 4.7 percentage points, representing nearly a 30 percent increase compared to the average graduation rate of 15.7 percent, particularly among single women. - Among men with access to in-state tuition, single men are more likely to be self-employed, while married men respond to the policy by working less, consistent with higher enrollment rates. - On average 55 percent of single women are employed. Access to in-state tuition increases employment by 12–19.8 percentage points for single women. We find no significant impact of the policy on the employment of married women. Our research indicates that while in-state tuition policies do make a difference, there is a need for a more nuanced policy approach, particularly due to gender disparities among the intended beneficiaries, which have previously been overlooked. However, we argue that relying solely on in-state tuition policies is insufficient. Single women are driven by these policies to complete their degrees and pursue employment. If policymakers aim for a broader impact and seek to include a more diverse group of undocumented youth, including men, they should consider enhancing opportunities within formal labor markets after college graduation. In support of this argument, we document higher graduation and employment rates and lower self-employment rates among DACA-eligible youth who have legal access to formal employment.

Career counsellors’ perspectives on educational mobility in Denmark

AbstractThis article explores career guidance counsellors’ (GC) perspectives on their role in relation to social mobility, presenting a thematic analysis based on 14 in-depth interviews with Danish upper secondary school GCs and managers. The analysis included Watts’ typology on the socio-political function of career guidance and generated three perspectives on social mobility: (a) an upward mobility perspective, (b) an alternative mobility perspective and (c) an equality perspective. The implications for career counselling in upper secondary schools in Denmark are considered and possible avenues for further research on social mobility and social justice in career guidance are identified.

A Culture of Chain Mobility Among Small Islanders: A Case Study of Lease Islanders' Mobility to Ambon City

People who live in the archipelago have a high mobility culture. The life of the people makes the island not a separator from the mainland, but the island is believed to be an inseparable part. Land and sea become one unit of life for people living on small islands. Therefore, mobility is also part of their lives, so the sea is not a barrier to their mobility. This research aims to explain the cultural process of chain mobility of Lease Islands residents to Ambon City. The research method used is the case study method because this research aims to reveal the behavior and cultural process of chain mobility of island communities. This research uses a single case study method. The number of case units in this study was 7 case units. The results showed that the migrant network in the destination area is one of the critical factors and is very influential in the migrant's decision to migrate or stay in origin. The network of previous migrants who have formed in the city is one of the factors that determine the continuity of migrants to stay in the destination area. This lengthy process of mobility creates intergenerational mobility. It is shown by the existence of clans from the Lease Islands found also in Ambon City. The clans have developed and come from generations whose sequence is no longer known, only known from the name of the clan that follows it. The facts on the field show that mobility is a way of life for islanders. Observations in origin also show that almost every family has family members who live outside the island, especially in Ambon City. Keywords: hain mobility, culture, small Island, lease

University and the Pursuit of a ‘Career’ for Working-Class Youth in Deindustrial Rochdale

This article examines the way in which working-class young people in Rochdale, a former industrial town in the north-west of England, imagine their future transitions from college to work through qualitative research at Rochdale’s only A-Level college. It explores how students’ aspirations to attend university reflect their desire for a ‘career’ in the absence of alternative forms of work and as a symbolic marker of upward social mobility that is subsequently differentiated from other forms of work as a form of distinction, as a great deal of emphasis is placed on the moral and cultural worth of a ‘career’. In doing so, this article highlights how such perceptions are shaped by the material conditions faced by these young people, such as inequality, financial precarity, and relative poverty against the backdrop of deindustrialisation.

Analysis the Principle and Applications for Locomotive Engine

Abstract. The evolution of locomotives is the cornerstone of modern transport and has had a profound impact on economic growth and social mobility. From the pioneering steam locomotives of the 19th century, which marked the beginning of a transformative journey for rail transport, to today's complex diesel and electric locomotives, each technological advance has shaped the efficiency, speed and environmental impact of rail systems. With this in mind, this study will offer a systematically analysis for the principle as well as applications for such engine. Steam locomotives revolutionized the transportation of goods and passengers, laying the foundation for the future of rail travel. Diesel locomotives further enhance operational flexibility and reliability, while electric locomotives are becoming mainstream due to their energy efficiency and low emissions. This study explores the historical development of locomotives, highlighting key technological milestones and their impact on rail transport. Meanwhile, the current advances in locomotive technology, including the integration of hybrid power systems and alternative energy sources, are studied. As the rail industry faces increasing pressure for sustainability, it is important to understand the evolution and future prospects of locomotives. By analyzing these developments, this paper aims to provide insights into different locomotive principles and how locomotive technology is evolving in an era of increased environmental awareness and technological innovation, shaping the future of rail transportation.

“Social Elevator”: Research of Affirmative Action Program

This work investigates the academic performance of students enrolled in the “Social Elevator” program at Higher School of Economics (HSE University), which operates under the principle of affirmative action and aims to assist those students who have lower chances of admission due to various social reasons in a highly competitive environment. Objective admissions in Russian universities and the high selectivity of the HSE University, discussed in this paper, do not confidently allow the application of conclusions from foreign studies to the Russian experience. The program had not been previously researched. It was assumed that students of the program would show higher performance than their peers admitted on a general basis – this assumption follows from qualitative research that found that students of this program possess a progressive narrative of overcoming inequality. Regression with dummy variables based on administrative data on student performance and survey data on the socio-economic status of students are used for the analysis. According to the regression analysis results, all else being equal, students of the “Social Elevator” program demonstrate lower performance than students admitted on budgetary places on general grounds, although they average grades at the “good” level and therefore have a chance to get a return to education and overcome inequality. Further research on the topic is required to separate the secondary effects of inequality, as well as to assess the actual social mobility of students participating in the program. The results can be useful in designing educational policy in the field of expanding access to higher education.

The ‘Untouchable’ Communist and the Caste-Class Struggle in Sujatha Gidla’s Ants Among Elephants

This article analyses, through Sujatha Gidla’s memoir titled Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India (2017), whether the socio-economic subordination of dalits can be challenged by tackling class exploitation. Gidla’s book emphasises the Kambham family’s status as ‘untouchables’ in its very title by tracing the story of Gidla’s uncle K. G. Satyamurthy, who sought to combat class and caste exploitation with the ideology of Communism. The memoir highlights the intersectional functioning of the two oppressive structures, thus complicating the definition of subalternity, and one’s journey to emerge from it. This article probes the correlation between Satyam’s desire to fight class exploitation as a communist, his affinity with middle class political activism and his own desire for class mobility. Where does caste fit within the definition of class in terms of relations of production? Does contesting class exploitation automatically translate into battling caste? Where does social mobility fit within this complex of caste and class? Do these hierarchical structures run parallel or in tandem with one another to create an inescapable system of oppression? While analysing the complexity of dealing with caste and class, this article will examine whether Gidla’s uncle K. G. Satyamurthy’s polemics reconcile the two causes of fighting each of these structures.

The Distribution of Land in Luxembourg (1766–1872): Family-Level Wealth Persistence in the Midst of Institutional Change

The paper analyzes family-level wealth inequality and social mobility in Dudelange (Luxembourg) over five generations between 1766 and 1872, a period that saw the end of feudal social relations. While the integration of Luxembourg into the French revolutionary regime produced a reduction in the Gini coefficient for the ownership of land, the social mobility analysis reveals a relative stability of family positions within the land-wealth distribution throughout the period. This shows that family-level transmission mechanisms limit social mobility and strongly advantage those with ancestors owning property wealth, even when there are significant changes in the organization of property relations.

Pendapatan dalam Hubungannya dengan Perencanaan Ekonomi Kabupaten Muaro Jambi dilihat dari Sisi Perkembangan Indeks Gini Kabupaten Muaro Jambi

Analysis of the Gini index based on education level shows significant inequality in the distribution of education in society. Higher levels of education tend to be accessed by groups with higher incomes, while groups with lower incomes often face barriers to obtaining quality education. This is reflected in the Gini index, which shows that the gap between groups with good and limited access to education is widening. This inequality has an impact on economic opportunities and social mobility, suggesting that improvements in a more inclusive education system and equal access to education across all levels of society are essential to reducing inequality and achieving greater social justice. The secondary sector in Muaro Jambi also shows significant levels of inequality. In the manufacturing and processing industries, large companies that produce goods on a large scale often make substantial profits, while small and medium enterprises struggle to compete. Inequality is also reflected in the construction sector, where the income gap between skilled and unskilled construction workers, and between large and small contractors, is quite striking. This contributes to the high Gini index in this sector, reflecting income inequality among workers and employers. In the tertiary sector, which includes services, retail, finance, and insurance, income inequality tends to be higher. In the service sector, the difference in income between workers in customer service and managers or professionals is very large. In the finance and insurance sector, income inequality is also significant because wages in this sector are often very high compared to other sectors, creating a large gap between workers in these fields and those in lower-wage sectors. This unequal distribution of income leads to a high Gini index in the tertiary sector. The quaternary sector in Muaro Jambi, which includes technology, information, and research and development, shows high levels of inequality. This inequality is caused by the large differences in wages between technology professionals and workers in non-technology sectors, as well as between workers in large technology companies and small businesses. Specialized skills and high levels of education in this sector are often directly related to high incomes, while those in less skilled or educated positions earn much lower wages. This creates a clear inequality in the distribution of income in this sector.

Can digital factor participation create opportunities for “rags to riches”? Based on the perspective of intergenerational income mobility

Intergenerational hierarchical solidification threatens the sustainable development of economies and societies in countries worldwide. In this paper, we match macro data on digital factor participation at the city level with micro data from the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2010 to 2018 to explore whether digital factor participation can break hierarchical solidification and create opportunities for “rags to riches” on the basis of the perspective of intergenerational income mobility. We find that digital factor participation contributes to facilitating upwards income mobility between generations, alleviating intergenerational hierarchical solidification. Additionally, its marginal effects are most pronounced in the low-income groups, indicating that digital factor participation serves as a booster for “poor second generations” to leapfrog rather than an accelerator for wealth accumulation among the “wealthy second generations”. Furthermore, our research reveals that digital factor participation potentially facilitates intergenerational occupational vertical “shift” channels and promotes the horizontal migration of the labour force, which in turn weakens intergenerational transmission effects, promotes intergenerational income mobility, and breaks intergenerational hierarchical solidification. Our study highlights the importance of seizing the opportunities presented by digital factor participation, as such participation offers more equitable opportunities for the lower class, which is particularly concerning in the context of the intensifying global trend of social stratification.

Settling for a “good enough” school: contradictions of middle class reproduction in a small town in illiberal Hungary

Abstract The politics of the Orbán regime, in power in Hungary since 2010, are reshaping the possibilities for middle class reproduction and social mobility, as revealed through our analysis of parental dilemmas around school choice and future aspirations in a peripheral small town. As the main targets of re-industrialization and an important voter base for the regime, small towns are particularly relevant localities for studying the transformations of middle-class reproduction. Globally, anxieties over class reproduction pushes parents to invest more intensely in their children’s education, whereas increasingly worrying about the detrimental effects of related pressures on their child’s well-being. In small towns in the global semi-periphery, parental dilemmas around schooling appear in a particularly acute form due to the limited possibilities for social advancement, the high financial and emotional costs that mobility requires, and the racialised dimension of localised class relations. We contend that policies of the Orbán regime, such as the ‘churchification’ of education and the privileging of technical middle schools, have further reshaped local possibilities and routes of advancement. The tension between the pervasive promise of middle-class advancement through education and the locally rooted assessment of realistic employment possibilities exposes the contradictions of the current regime and helps to grasp the localised consequences of its socio-economic re-engineering. As in the studied context class is strongly racialised, we examine the strategies and dilemmas of middle class parents of the ethnic majority, and Roma parents who aspire to become middle class in a relational way, revealing how ethnicity further complicates middle class reproduction in Hungarian peripheral small towns.

School District Housing Buyers and Educational Investment Returns: A Case Study of X District in Shanghai

As a dual carrier of educational resources and economic assets, school district housing has become an important tool for family educational investment and social class reproduction. This paper takes Shanghai's X District as an example to explore, from a sociological perspective, the purchasing behaviors of different groups regarding school district housing and their educational investment returns. It reveals the key role of school district housing in the accumulation of cultural and social capital. The study finds that high-income families, the middle class, and the working class in X District exhibit different demand tendencies when purchasing school district housing, reflecting goals of obtaining high-quality educational resources, expanding social capital, and achieving upward social mobility, respectively. The phenomenon of school district housing exacerbates the imbalance in the distribution of educational resources and limits social mobility.