An Empirical Study of Social Stratification and Intergenerational Educational Mobility in Emerging Economies
Keywords:
social stratification, educational inequality, intergenerational mobility, emerging economies, social reproduction, developmentAbstract
This paper examines the relationship between social stratification and intergenerational educational mobility in emerging economies, with a focus on the barriers and opportunities shaping educational outcomes. Despite substantial economic growth in many developing regions, persistent inequality in educational attainment remains a critical obstacle to inclusive development. Drawing on existing scholarship and empirical trends, this study explores how family background, socioeconomic status, and structural inequalities influence intergenerational educational mobility. The findings underscore that while expansion in primary and secondary education has reduced absolute illiteracy, relative educational opportunities remain stratified by class, gender, and geography. Emerging economies face the dual challenge of addressing entrenched inequality while leveraging rapid educational expansion to enhance social mobility.
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