Research has shown that circumstances of birth play a substantial and increasing role
in children’s ‘life chances’ in the UK. Jo Blanden, Paul Gregg and Lindsey Macmillan
are now digging deeper to explore the roles of ability, education and non-cognitive skills
in explaining why ‘intergenerational mobility’ is low and falling. Their study, which is
published in the March 2007 issue of the Economic Journal, finds that:
• Educational attainment is becoming increasingly socially graded, with a
strengthening of the relationship between family income and children’s
achievement.
• Inequality in access to higher education is a key driver of the decline in
intergenerational mobility.
• Non-cognitive traits, such as self-esteem, personal efficacy (beliefs that your
own actions can make a difference rather than luck or fate) and the ability to
concentrate, are increasingly important drivers of educational attainment and
hence intergenerational mobility.
• These factors are increasingly important drivers of intergenerational mobility as
they have become more socially graded. In contrast, IQ, sometimes seen as a
measure of innate ability, is playing a smaller role in children’s attainment and
life chances.
• There is a particular problem of youths who are not in education, employment or
training. Early labour market attachment plays an important role in accounting for
low mobility, particularly through its impact on earnings.
If policy-makers want to increase mobility, then this research suggests some key areas
of intervention, starting with the strengthening relationship between family background
and educational attainment. Resources need to be directed at programmes to improve
the outcomes of those from deprived backgrounds.
This can be done either by universal interventions that are more effective for poor
children, for example, high quality pre-school childcare and the UK’s literacy hour, or by
directing resources exclusively at poorer schools or communities.
The results also suggest that these programmes should not focus exclusively on
cognitive abilities but also on self-esteem, personal efficacy and concentration.
In addition, there is an urgent need to address the problem of youths who are not in
education, employment or training as early labour market attachment plays an
important role in accounting for low mobility, particularly through its impact on earnings.
ENDS
Notes for editors: ‘Accounting for Intergenerational Income Persistence: Non-cognitive
Skills, Ability and Education’ by Jo Blanden, Paul Gregg and Lindsey Macmillan is
published in the March 2007 issue of the Economic Journal.
Jo Blanden is at the University of Surrey. Paul Gregg and Lindsey Macmillan are at the
Centre for Market and Public Organisation, University of Bristol.
For further information: contact Romesh Vaitilingam on 07768-661095 (email:
romesh@compuserve.com).