Lin, "A new model of status attainment: The case of Taiwan," 1993

Chia-Ying Lin, Ph.D.

Abstract (Summary)
A new scheme is introduced for modelling occupational mobility and status attainment, going beyond the traditional approach. Unlike previous research in the area of status attainment, this investigation was designed to explain, using variables that describe social networks, the association between parental achievement and own achievement. Moreover, the achievements of both parents are taken into consideration, not just those of the father. Extending previous research even farther, the robustness of the explanatory system is accessed (1) by departing from previous Western emphases in status attainment research, using the rapidly developed society of Taiwan as the data source and (2) by examining it separately for each gender. Data are from a probability sample of 1080 Taiwanese adult women and men.

By focusing on the social contacts used by the individual in seeking first job and current job, the results reported here indicate that use of social resources provide a link between family background and occupational status achievement. Specifically, the association between parental occupational status and own status attainment is explained by the intervening variable, status of social contact. Further, cultural differences regarding the use of social ties are suggested. However, no specific gender difference is found in the status attainment process, except for the effect of father's occupation. (Copies available exclusively from Micrographics Department, Doheny Library, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182.)

Advisor: Nano, Keiko; Turk, Herman