Work

The educational attainment of the second generation in Germany: Social origins and ethnic inequality

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: A B S T R AC T Using the German Microcensus, we study second-generation immigrants' educational attainment in Germany, focusing on the descendants of classic labour migrants. Our results show that educational outcomes in terms of attending or completing the highest schooling track leading to the Abitur vary considerably among different ethnic groups. Second-generation young adults, in particular Turks and Italians, experience pronounced disadvantages in comparison to their German peers. The central question in this context is to what extent ethnic stratification in the German school system is related to educational and social background. Our findings suggest that ethnic disadvantages primarily result from social rather than from specific ethnic inequalities, since initial differences in the chances of attaining the Abitur disappear after considering educational and social origin, the only exception being Italian young adults.

Source: Ethnicities

DOI: 10.1177/1468796807080233

Authors: Cornelia Kristen, Nadia Granato

Institutions: Leipzig University, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt und Berufsforschung, Federal Employment Agency

Language: English

Topic: Sociology and Education Studies

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2156416832

FWCI: 39.67

Cites: 50

Cited by: 321

Related to: 10