Social Mobility and Labor Market Outcomes Among the Second Generation of Racial Minority Immigrants in Canada*

In: Social science quarterly, Band 100, Heft 3, S. 885-896

Abstract

ObjectiveThis article examines social mobility among the children of immigrants, whose population has become increasingly diverse over time.MethodsUsing data from Canadian censuses, we focus on group differences by racial minority status in two aspects: (1) intergenerational progress in educational attainment, which indicates the ability to achieve higher education regardless of parents' education, and (2) the relationship between education and labor market outcomes, which reveals the ability to convert educational qualifications into economic well‐being.ResultsOur analysis in general paints a very positive picture for the children of immigrants regarding the first aspect, while mixed results are evident for the second aspect. In particular, some racial minority groups are characterized by high educational attainment and average earnings, while some experienced low education mobility across generations and low labor market returns to education.ConclusionThe results suggest that there are divergent paths of socioeconomic integration among the second‐generation racial minority groups.