University of Kent research echoes government report on social mobility

New research by Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby at the University of Kent shows how important social networking is for the middle-class, and particularly for men. The effect of network membership is strongest in the UK and strongest in the case of men. His findings echo those of the social mobility report released today by former government minister Alan Milburn which reveals that top professions such as medicine and law are increasingly being closed off to all but the most affluent families.

According to Professor Taylor-Gooby, Professor of Social Policy in Kent's School of School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, education accounts for about half the advantage that middle class children have in getting high status jobs in most European countries, but for round about 40 per cent in the UK. However, network contacts accounts for another 15 per cent of the advantage in the UK for men. Nowhere else is the percentage higher than 10 per cent and it averages about five per cent.

The research uses new data from the European Social Survey to examine the part played by education, social network membership, individual attitudes and ability and resources in explaining why the children of the middle-class end up dominating professional and managerial jobs. It concludes that, while education is the dominant factor in reproducing privilege, social network membership plays an important subsidiary role.

The contribution of networking is highly gendered, even in the overtly more open social democratic societies such as Sweden. This effect is particularly striking in the UK. This is of particular relevance at a time when reform programmes put the onus on individuals to grasp the opportunities that are available, so that informal pathways to maintaining privilege become more significant.

Prof Taylor-Gooby commented: 'It seems that, as opportunities open up for women, men tend to use social networks, contacts and other informal methods to make sure they retain the advantage in getting to the top jobs.'

Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 2:52pm 21 July 2009