Social Mobility and Class Structure in Modern Britain.

England, Paula; Goldthorpe, John R.; Llewellyn, Catriona; Payne, Clive; Halsey, A. H.; Heath, Anthony; Ridge, J. M.

doi:10.2307/2577998

Cited by 17 publications

(27 citation statements)

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“…Consequently, little is known in the relationship between spatial disparities and the inequalities caused by social class background (Duta & Iannelli, 2018). Meanwhile, sociologists tend to measure the ‘generalized rate of social mobility’ between positions in the occupational structure at the national level (Erikson & Goldthorpe, 1992; Goldthorpe et al, 1987). Their quantitative analysis is widely criticized for its ‘methodological nationalism’ (Chernilo, 2011), where the rate of social mobility is averaged and aggregated by national boundaries (Bukodi & Goldthorpe, 2013; Cunningham & Savage, 2015; Goldthorpe & Mills, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following traditional sociological research, I distinguish social mobility between its absolute and relative dimensions. Absolute mobility calculates proportions of samples who experienced upward and downward mobility, relative mobility is measured by the intergenerational association of social class origin and destination (Erikson & Goldthorpe, 1992; Goldthorpe et al, 1987). Furthermore, this study also investigates the relationship between social mobility and spatial mobility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Absolute mobility compares people's social class position with that of their parents and this measure seems to be more related to people's lived experiences (Buscha & Sturgis, 2018; Hout & Hauser, 1992). In Britain, empirical studies found the absolute mobility had increased considerably during middle 20th century (Goldthorpe et al, 1987), while for the later time, the evidence becomes less consistent (Buscha & Sturgis, 2018). However, individuals' life outcomes are not judged only in isolation; job markets always involve positional competition that typically advantage those from more affluent backgrounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although rates of absolute mobility are high, evidence suggests the level of relative mobility has remained stable across decades (e.g., Erikson & Goldthorpe, 1992; Goldthorpe & Payne, 1986). The socioeconomic differences in relative rates have shown no sign of equalizing thus far (Breen et al, 2009), and the relative distribution of opportunities has consistently remained in favour of those from more privileged backgrounds (Erikson & Goldthorpe, 1992; Goldthorpe et al, 1987; Payne, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reformation of the national production system that now primarily serves the global market has re‐sharpened occupational formation both economically and geographically (van Ham et al, 2012). The increased rate of absolute mobility is primarily seen as the result of occupational structural change which consistently drives expansion of service sectors and salariat jobs (i.e., professional and managerial occupations) (Goldthorpe et al, 1987; Goldthorpe, 2016). The expansion of ‘room at the top’ enables more people to climb up, meanwhile impeding more people from experiencing downward mobility (Brown, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial and social mobility in England: The persistence of the ‘Escalator’ effect for the millennial generation

2022

Population Space and Place

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Regional disparities in social mobility have long been apparent in Britain. Recent decades have seen a growing level of spatial inequalities in terms of social, economic and employment opportunities. Empirical studies suggest not only what do your parents do, but also where do you come from, profoundly influences one's life opportunities, London and the Southeast are consistently shown to be areas with more social mobility than the rest of country. This study presents an updated estimate of the extent of social mobility across regions in England, and more importantly, how this has been conditional on cross-region migration. By using national representative survey data covering a decade (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015), the results show considerable variations in the regional estimates of both absolute and relative mobility. In particular, London was found to be leading on social mobility measures in nationwide comparisons, supporting previous findings that London plays an important national role in Britain's social mobility. In addition, separate analysis for samples of cross-region 'movers' and 'stayers' suggests that migration is associated with social upward mobility, with London still functioning as an 'escalator' region providing better opportunities for those who move there from elsewhere the country. This persistence of the 'escalator region' effect for the millennial generation in England underlines how unequal economic geography continues to shape opportunity and trajectories of mobility for individuals. K E Y W O R D S'escalator' region, geography, social mobility | INTRODUCTIONEmpirical studies in social science rarely connect issues of social mobility and spatial disparity, notwithstanding that both are important research topics and policy concerns (Buscha et al., 2021;Savage, 1988). Research on the spatialization of social mobility is largely obstructed by a series of methodological issues such as data limitations (Favell & Recchi, 2011); More importantly, the field has been limited by 'disciplinary preoccupations' : research into the geographies of inequality has tended to focus on the intra-generational dimension of socio-spatial mobility, that is, the relationship between residential segregation, migration and within-career, rather than intergenerational, social mobility (e.g., Dorling, 2011;Fielding, 1992;Findlay et al., 2009).Consequently, little is known in the relationship between spatial disparities and the inequalities caused by social class background (Duta & Iannelli, 2018). Meanwhile, sociologists tend to measure the 'generalized rate of social mobility' between positions in the occupational structure at the national level (Erikson & Goldthorpe, 1992;Goldthorpe et al., 1987). Their quantitative analysis is widely criticized for its 'methodological nationalism' (Chernilo, 2011), where the rate of social mobility is averaged and

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Spatial and social mobility in England: The persistence of the ‘Escalator’ effect for the millennial generation

2022

Population Space and Place

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Upward mobility implications on the aspirant middle class in emerging economies

Mushayanyama

Chitiga-Mabugu

Mazenda

et al. 2023

Journal of Public Affairs

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This article unearths the salient factors that trap the aspiring middle class in their progression towards a stable middle class in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa. The study utilises a quantitative case study design, drawing on a sample of 449 aspirants and 578 middle‐class heads of households from the 2021 Gauteng City‐Region Observatory Quality of Life Survey. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyse these salient factors (key determinants) and their impact on the social mobility of the aspirant middle class. Findings reveal a significant relationship between social mobility and education, racial inequality, asset ownership, access to economic opportunities and proximity to amenities. We suggest local government policies that positively influence the conditions of these determinants for sustained mobility of the aspirant middle class over time.

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