The Intergenerational Mobility of Career Aspirations Among Middle School Students Within China's Dual Urban-Rural Structure (Poster 3)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Thursday 1:45 p.m.
  In Poster Session: Empowering Youth in Challenging Contexts to Build Their Desired Futures

Abstract

In light of China's dual urban-rural structure, the research empirically analyzes the characteristics and influencing factors of the intergenerational mobility of career aspirations among middle school students, classified as either migrant children or urban children. The findings indicate that there is a notable discrepancy in cognitive ability and family socioeconomic status between migrant children and urban children. Furthermore, though lacking the support of schools, peers, and parents, migrant children display stronger intergenerational upward mobility and are relatively more likely to aspire to occupations that exceed their parents' class. School, peers, and parental support, exert a considerable influence on the intergenerational mobility. Consequently, it is imperative to provide guarantees and support to foster positive and healthy career aspirations for migrant children.

Authors

• Qiyin Fan, East China Normal University

• Zhaolin Zhou, Beijing Normal University