The role of education for social mobility

The chapter builds on the OED (Origin-Education-Destination) scheme elaborated by social stratification research to clarify how education works as both an opportunity enhancer and a reproducer of inequalities. We present two alternative sociological perspectives on the role of education for social inequalities and social mobility - functionalist and conflict theories - and more specific theoretical accounts of why education matters for occupational attainment. We then review the main empirical findings on cross-national variations and long-term changes in the relationship between education and occupational outcomes. Last, we review studies that formally quantify the contribution of education to social mobility.