This paper asks whether standard accounts of class reproduction apply among migrants and their descendants as among the majority group; whether there is a process of assimilation towards the overall (British) pattern of class reproduction across generations; whether the trends over time in rates of social mobility and openness among the majority population are mirrored among migrants and their descendants; and, finally, whether over-time trends in class reproduction are mirrored in the over-time trends in ethnic stratification. Using national representative surveys covering four decades, we find a major generational shift in net rates of ‘absolute’ mobility, with the first generation experiencing a notable social decline but the second generation having a clear advancement. ‘Relative’ rates of mobility among migrants and their descendants are, on the other hand, close to those of the majority group, and exhibit similar trends over time. Ethnic stratification also appears to be slowly declining, although the persistence of unemployment among the second generation qualifies the optimistic story of socio-economic assimilation.
Presented by:
Anthony Heath (Oxford Emeritus)
Date & time:
February 15, 2016 4:00 pm - February 15, 2016 5:30 pm
Venue:
2N2.4.16
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