Buscha, F. and Sturgis, P. 2015. Increasing inter-generational social mobility: is educational expansion the answer? British Journal of Sociology. 66 (3), pp. 512-533. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12138
| Title | Increasing inter-generational social mobility: is educational expansion the answer? |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Buscha, F. and Sturgis, P. |
| Abstract | Reforms which increase the stock of education in a society have long been held by policy-makers as key to improving rates of intergenerational social mobility. Yet, despite the intuitive plausibility of this idea, the empirical evidence in support of an effect of educational expansion on social fluidity is both indirect and weak. In this paper we use the raising of the minimum school leaving age from 15 to 16 years in England and Wales in 1972 to estimate the effect of educational participation and qualification attainment on rates of intergenerational social class mobility. Because, in expectation, children born immediately before and after the policy was implemented are statistically exchangeable, the difference in the amount of education they received may be treated as exogenously determined. The exogenous nature of the additional education gain means that differences in rates of social mobility between cohorts affected by the reform can be treated as having been caused by the additional education. The data for the analysis come from the ONS Longitudinal Study, which links individual records from successive decennial censuses between 1971 and 2001. Our findings show that, although the reform resulted in an increase in educational attainment in the population as a whole and a weakening of the association between attainment and class origin, there was no reliably discernible increase in the rate of intergenerational social mobility. |
| Keywords | Social mobility;education;census;inter-generational;cohorts;England |
| Journal | British Journal of Sociology |
| Journal citation | 66 (3), pp. 512-533 |
| ISSN | 0007-1315 |
| Year | 2015 |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Accepted author manuscript | |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12138 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 14 Sep 2015 |
| Funder | RCUK |
Ethnic differences in intergenerational housing mobility in England and Wales
Buscha, F., Gorman, E., Sturgis, P. and Zhang, M. 2023. Ethnic differences in intergenerational housing mobility in England and Wales. Journal of Social Policy. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279423000570
Returns to Education: Individuals
Buscha, F. and Dickson, M. 2023. Returns to Education: Individuals. in: Zimmermann, K.F. (ed.) Handbook of Labor, Human Resources and Population Economics Springer, Cham Springer.
Selective schooling and social mobility in England
Buscha, F., Gorman, E. and Sturgis, P. 2023. Selective schooling and social mobility in England. Labour Economics. 81 102336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2023.102336
How much does degree choice matter?
Buscha, F., Britton, J., van der Erve, L., Belfied, C., Vignoles, A., Dickson, M., Walker, I., Dearden, L. and Sibieta, L. 2022. How much does degree choice matter? Labour Economics. 79 102268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2022.102268
Spatial and social mobility in England and Wales: A sub‐national analysis of differences and trends over time
Buscha, F., Gorman, Emma and Sturgis, Patrick 2021. Spatial and social mobility in England and Wales: A sub‐national analysis of differences and trends over time. The British Journal of Sociology. 72 (5), pp. 1378-1393. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12885
The earnings returns to postgraduate degrees in the UK
Buscha, F., Britton, J., Dickson, M., van der Erve, L., Vignoles, A., Walker, I., Waltmann, B. and Zhu, Y. 2020. The earnings returns to postgraduate degrees in the UK. Department for Education.
The role of small businesses in employing the unemployed and inactive
Buscha, F. and Urwin, P. 2020. The role of small businesses in employing the unemployed and inactive. in: Saridakis, G. and Cowling, M (ed.) Handbook of Quantitative Research Methods in Entrepreneurship Edward Elgar. pp. 139-179
The impact of undergraduate degrees on early-career earnings
Belfield, C., Britton, J., Buscha, F., Dearden, L., Dickson, M., van der Erve, L., Sibieta, A., Vignoles, A., Walker, I. and Zhu, Y. 2018. The impact of undergraduate degrees on early-career earnings. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/undergraduate-degrees-labour-market-returns Department for Education.
The relative labour market returns to different degrees
Belfield, C., Britton, J., Buscha, F., Dearden, L., Dickson, M., van der Erve, L., Sibieta, L., Vignoles, A., Walker, I. and Zhu, Y. 2018. The relative labour market returns to different degrees. Department for Education.
A Note on the Wage Effects of the 1972 Raising of the School Leaving Age in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Buscha, F. and Dickson, M. 2018. A Note on the Wage Effects of the 1972 Raising of the School Leaving Age in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scottish Journal of Political Economy. 65 (5), pp. 572-582. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjpe.12187
Declining Social Mobility? Evidence from five linked Censuses in England and Wales 1971-2011
Buscha, F. and Sturgis, P. 2018. Declining Social Mobility? Evidence from five linked Censuses in England and Wales 1971-2011. British Journal of Sociology. 69 (1), pp. 154-182. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12275
Can a Common Currency Foster a Shared Social Identity across Different Nations? The Case of the Euro
Buscha, F., Müller, D. and Page, L. 2017. Can a Common Currency Foster a Shared Social Identity across Different Nations? The Case of the Euro. European Economic Review. 100, pp. 318-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2017.08.011
Can a Common Currency Foster a Shared Social Identity across Different Nations? The Case of the Euro
Buscha, F., Müller, D. and Page, L. 2016. Can a Common Currency Foster a Shared Social Identity across Different Nations? The Case of the Euro. Workshop on Behavioral Political Economy: New models of agents’ beliefs, preferences and sophistication. Abu Dhabi 14 - 15 Dec 2015
Does Daily Sunshine make you Happy? Subjective Measures of Well-being and the Weather
Buscha, F. 2016. Does Daily Sunshine make you Happy? Subjective Measures of Well-being and the Weather. The Manchester School. 84 (5), pp. 642-663. https://doi.org/10.1111/manc.12126
Places and preferences: a longitudinal analysis of self-selection and contextual effects
Gallego, A., Buscha, F., Sturgis, P. and Oberski, D. 2016. Places and preferences: a longitudinal analysis of self-selection and contextual effects. British Journal of Political Science. 46 (3), pp. 529-550. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007123414000337
Social connectedness and generalized trust: a longitudinal perspective
Sturgis, P., Patulny, R., Allum, N. and Buscha, F. 2015. Social connectedness and generalized trust: a longitudinal perspective. in: Li, Y. (ed.) The handbook of research methods and applications on social capital Cheltenham Edward Elgar. pp. 76-90
Estimating earnings returns to vocational qualifications using administrative data
Bibby, D., Buscha, F., Cerqua, A., Thomson, D. and Urwin, P.J. 2014. Estimating earnings returns to vocational qualifications using administrative data. London Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Back to basics: Is there a significant generational dimension and where does it ‘cut’?
Buscha, F., Parry, E. and Urwin, P.J. 2014. Back to basics: Is there a significant generational dimension and where does it ‘cut’? in: Parry, E. (ed.) Generational diversity at work: new research perspectives Abingdon, Oxon Routledge. pp. 81-94
The impact of truancy on educational attainment during compulsory schooling: a bivariate ordered probit estimator with mixed effects
Buscha, F. and Conte, A. 2014. The impact of truancy on educational attainment during compulsory schooling: a bivariate ordered probit estimator with mixed effects. The Manchester School. 82 (1), pp. 103-127. https://doi.org/10.1111/manc.12002
Representation in UK employment tribunals: analysis of the 2003 and 2008 Survey of Employment Tribunal Applications (SETA)
Urwin, P.J., Buscha, F. and Latreille, P. 2014. Representation in UK employment tribunals: analysis of the 2003 and 2008 Survey of Employment Tribunal Applications (SETA). British Journal of Industrial Relations. 52 (1), pp. 158-184. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2012.00914.x
Taking political engagement online: an experimental analysis of asynchronous discussion forums
Smith, G., John, P. and Sturgis, P. 2013. Taking political engagement online: an experimental analysis of asynchronous discussion forums. Political Studies. 61 (4), pp. 709-730. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9248.2012.00989.x
Estimating the labour market returns to qualifications gained in English further education using the Individualised Learner Record (ILR)
Buscha, F. and Urwin, P.J. 2013. Estimating the labour market returns to qualifications gained in English further education using the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). London Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The raising of the school leaving age: returns in later life
Buscha, F. and Dickson, M. 2012. The raising of the school leaving age: returns in later life. Economics Letters. 117 (2), pp. 389-393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2012.06.018
Social connectedness and generalized trust: a longitudinal perspective
Sturgis, P., Patulny, R., Allum, N. and Buscha, F. 2012. Social connectedness and generalized trust: a longitudinal perspective. ISER. https://doi.org/2012-19
The role of small businesses in employment and enterprise
Urwin, P.J. and Buscha, F. 2012. The role of small businesses in employment and enterprise. Federation of Small Businesses.
Measuring the earnings returns to lifelong learning in the UK
Blanden, J., Buscha, F., Sturgis, P. and Urwin, P.J. 2012. Measuring the earnings returns to lifelong learning in the UK. Economics of Education Review. 31 (4), pp. 501-514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2011.12.009
The effect of employment while in high school on educational attainment: a conditional difference-in-differences approach
Buscha, F., Maurel, A., Page, L. and Speckesser, S. 2012. The effect of employment while in high school on educational attainment: a conditional difference-in-differences approach. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics. 74 (3), pp. 380-396. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0084.2011.00650.x
Financial expectations and the ‘left–right’ political value scale: testing for the POUM hypothesis
Buscha, F. 2012. Financial expectations and the ‘left–right’ political value scale: testing for the POUM hypothesis. Economics Letters. 115 (3), pp. 460-464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2011.12.121
Are you experienced? SME use of and attitudes towards workplace mediation
Latreille, P., Buscha, F. and Conte, A. 2012. Are you experienced? SME use of and attitudes towards workplace mediation. International Journal of Human Resource Management. 23 (3), pp. 590-606. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2012.641082
Representations in UK employment tribunals: analysis of the 2003 and 2008 survey of employment tribunal applications (SETA)
Buscha, F., Latreille, P. and Urwin, P.J. 2012. Representations in UK employment tribunals: analysis of the 2003 and 2008 survey of employment tribunal applications (SETA). London Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
The impact of the economy on recruitment and retention in the armed forces: final report
Parry, E., Urwin, P.J., Tyson, S., Buscha, F. and Gould, M. 2011. The impact of the economy on recruitment and retention in the armed forces: final report. Ministry of Defence.
Patterns of representation in SETA 2008
Buscha, F., Latreille, P. and Urwin, P.J. 2011. Patterns of representation in SETA 2008. Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
Analysis of the survey of employment tribunal applications
Buscha, F., Latreille, P. and Urwin, P.J. 2011. Analysis of the survey of employment tribunal applications. Commissioned by the Trades Union Congress.
SME attitudes towards mediation: some survey evidence
Latreille, P., Buscha, F. and Conte, A. 2010. SME attitudes towards mediation: some survey evidence. Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
Measuring the returns to lifelong learning
Blanden, J., Buscha, F., Sturgis, P. and Urwin, P.J. 2010. Measuring the returns to lifelong learning. London School of Economics. https://doi.org/CEEDP110
Statistical research into measuring adult educational attainment using the Labour Force Survey
Buscha, F., Urwin, P.J. and Sturgis, P. 2010. Statistical research into measuring adult educational attainment using the Labour Force Survey. Commissioned by Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and the Office of National Statistics.
Measuring the returns to networking and the accumulation of social capital: any evidence of bonding, bridging or linking?
Urwin, P.J., Di Pietro, G., Sturgis, P. and Jack, G. 2008. Measuring the returns to networking and the accumulation of social capital: any evidence of bonding, bridging or linking? American Journal of Economics and Sociology. 67 (5), pp. 941-968. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1536-7150.2008.00603.x
Becoming a Government Economist: Who Passes, Who Fails?
Hedges, P.F., Urwin, P.J. and Buscha, F. 2008. Becoming a Government Economist: Who Passes, Who Fails? The Royal Economic Society Conference 2008. University of Warwick 17 - 19 Mar 2008
Small businesses in the UK: new perspectives on evidence and policy
Urwin, P.J., Karuk, V., Buscha, F. and Siara, B. 2008. Small businesses in the UK: new perspectives on evidence and policy. London Commissioned by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Ownership and the strategic behaviour of small and medium size manufacturing firms
Ghobadian, A., Urwin, P.J., O'Regan, N. and Buscha, F. 2008. Ownership and the strategic behaviour of small and medium size manufacturing firms. British Academy of Management Conference 2008 (BAM2008). Majestic Hotel, Harrogate 9 - 11 Sep 2008
The effect of lifelong learning on intra-generational social mobility - evidence from longitudinal data in the United Kingdom
Blanden, J., Sturgis, P., Buscha, F. and Urwin, P.J. 2008. The effect of lifelong learning on intra-generational social mobility - evidence from longitudinal data in the United Kingdom. Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. https://doi.org/DIUSResearchReport09-04
What makes a good government economist?
Hedges, P.F., Urwin, P.J. and Buscha, F. 2007. What makes a good government economist? Developments in Economics Education conference 2007. University of Cambridge 06 - 07 Sep 2007
Measuring the returns to networking and the accumulation of social capital: are the yuppies networking?
Urwin, P.J., Jack, G., Sturgis, P. and Di Pietro, G. 2005. Measuring the returns to networking and the accumulation of social capital: are the yuppies networking? ESPE 2005: XIX Annual Conference of the European Society of Population Economics. Paris, France 16-18 Jun 2005
Identifying the returns to networking and social capital accumulation
Urwin, P.J., Jack, G., Sturgis, P. and Di Pietro, G. 2005. Identifying the returns to networking and social capital accumulation. Whither Social Capital? Past, Present and Future, An International Conference. London, UK 06-07 April 2005
Measuring the employment effects of networking and the accumulation of social capital: does the 2000 UK time use survey add to this understanding?
Di Pietro, G. and Sturgis, P. 2002. Measuring the employment effects of networking and the accumulation of social capital: does the 2000 UK time use survey add to this understanding? International Association for Time Use Research Conference 2002: Work Time and Leisure Time. Lisbon, Portugal 15-18 Oct 2002
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