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Acta Sociologica
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Social Mobility and Education of Finnish Cohorts Born 1936—75

Succeeding While Failing in Equality of Opportunity?

Jani Erola

Economic Sociology, Turku School of Economics, Turku, Finland, Jani.Erola{at}tse.fi

This is a study of the intergenerational occupational class mobility of cohorts born 1936—75 in Finland and of the role of the changes in educational attainment. The data are taken from the Finnish Census Panel, from which mobility tables for 5-year cohorts that have reached the age of 25 have been constructed at 7 time-points: 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000. The period change in social fluidity appears to be towards greater openness for both men and women. However, the cohort differences are more significant. Class origins and destinations are more strongly associated with the youngest cohorts than with the cohorts born in 1951—65, suggesting a strengthening of social inheritance. The period change can be explained by the changes in educational attainment. However, although the changes in the origin—education association play some role in reducing cohort differences, controlling education-related variation does not change them very much. The findings suggest that, in order to explain the cohort differences, it might be worthwhile considering institutional factors other than education.

Key Words: age • cohorts • education • equality • Finland • occupational mobility • period • recession

Acta Sociologica, Vol. 52, No. 4, 307-327 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0001699309348701
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