Not Just Mum and the Apple Pie

In studies on social stratification, ususally the influence of the mothers educational and occupational statuses on children status attainment is ignored. The fathers socioeconomic status is assumed to hold the dominant position in the household. Today, this assumption no longer holds. In this book the question is answered how the mothers education and her occupational status influences the education and job status of her children. The author shows that the socioeconomic background of the mother is heavily related to the educational outcomes of sons and daughters. Regarding the reproduction of job status, the mothers status resources are important only for the daughter. Her resources always have been and still are very important as a source 'advantage' transfers from one generation to the next. Over time, the influence of both parents decreases in essentially the same way. The contents of this book support the assessment of educational and occupational trends in modern society. This valuable study aids students, researchers and policy makers concerned with outcomes of social justice, reviewing key concepts for historical and internationally comparative studies on social stratification.