Equality of Schooling: Trends and Prospects

Hauser and Featherman (1976) reported a total increase in average length of schooling of about 4 years from birth years 1897 to 1951 based on 1973 OCG survey data.

“Hauser and Featherman (1976) reported a total increase in the average length of schooling of about 4 years from birth years 1897 to 1951 based on 1973 Occupational Changes in a Generation (OCG) survey data; they noted that a gain of 4 years is likely an underestimate because members of the youngest cohort (birth cohort 1951) have probably not completed their education in 1973.”

Intergenerational differences in schooling peaked among men born shortly after World War I and decelerated across more recent cohorts.

“Hauser and Featherman (1976) noted that intergenerational differences in schooling peaked among men born shortly after World War I and that a deceleration has occurred across more recent cohorts.”

Intergenerational differences in schooling between successive generations, approximately 20 to 30 years apart, range from 2 to 4 years.

“Intergenerational differences between successive generations, approximately 20 to 30 years apart, range from 2 to 4 years.”

The variables of being raised on a farm and being born in the South also had a substantial effect.

“The variables of being raised on a farm and being born in the South also had a substantial effect.”

All of these social background variables have shown change over the birth cohorts studied.

“All of these social background variables have shown change over the birth cohorts studied.”

Hauser and Featherman (1976) utilized data from the OCG surveys to examine key social background variables associated with educational attainment of male birth cohorts from 1897 to 1951.

“Hauser and Featherman (1976) utilized data from the OCG surveys (Blau & Duncan, 1967) to examine key social background variables associated with educational attainment of male birth cohorts from 1897 to 1951.”

Both father's education and occupation status have increased across cohorts, whereas the number of siblings has decreased.

“Both father’s education and occupation status have increased across cohorts, whereas the number of siblings has decreased.”

The mean level of fathers' education had increased from about 7 years to almost 11 years.

“The mean level of fathers’ education had increased from about 7 years to almost 11 years.”

Each of the following variables accounted for about 25% of a year gain in level of educational attainment: 1 year of father's schooling, 10 points of father's occupation status, and additional sibling.

“Each of the following variables accounted for about 25% of a year gain in level of educational attainment: 1 year of father’s schooling, 10 points of father’s occupation status, and additional sibling.”

Among the 1897 cohort, 40% were raised on farms compared to 10% of the 1951 cohort.

“Among the 1897 cohort, 40% were raised on farms compared to 10% of the 1951 cohort.”

On average a farm background cost men 1 full year of schooling, and Southern birth cost .4 to .8 years of schooling.

“On average a farm background cost men 1 full year of schooling, and Southern birth cost .4 to .8 years of schooling.”

Among the social background variables studied were father's education, father's occupation, number of siblings, broken family, farm background, and Southern birth-many of these variables clearly pertain to the environment of the father as well as the subject of interest.

“Among the social background variables studied were father’s education, father’s occupation, number of siblings, broken family, farm background, and Southern birth—many of these variables clearly pertain to the environment of the father as well as the subject of interest.”

Father's education was relatively more important than any other background variable in all groups examined.

“Father’s education was relatively more important than any other background variable in all groups examined.”

Father's educational or occupational status experienced as a young adult and occurring in a particular historical period influences subsequent intellectual functioning of offspring.

“For example, the father’s educational or occupational status experienced as a young adult and occurring in a particular historical period have been studied as influences on subsequent intellectual functioning of the offspring (Hauser & Featherman, 1976).”

These background variables account for 30% to 37% of the variance in educational attainment of males of various cohorts.

“These background variables account for 30% to 37% of the variance in educational attainment of males of various cohorts.”

The amount of positive selection of the general SLS participant base is relatively minor.

“Comparative analyses from the SLS suggest that the amount of positive selection of the general SLS participant base is relatively minor (e.g., educational attainment: Hauser & Featherman, 1976; cf. Schaie et al., 2005).”