International Journal of Comparative Sociology recent issues

Educational Fields of Study and European Labor Markets: Introduction to a Special Issue

van de Werfhorst, H. G. — 2008-08-07

Labor Market Effects of Field of Study in Comparative Perspective: An Analysis of 22 European Countries

Reimer, D., Noelke, C., Kucel, A. — 2008-08-07

This article seeks to provide one of the first systematic comparative analyses of labor market consequences associated with fields of study. Using data of 22 countries from the European Labor Force Surveys (2004 and 2005), we analyze how field of study affects unemployment and occupational status for university-educated graduates. Our core hypothesis is that relative differences between fields should increase with educational expansion at the university level. Results of multilevel two-step regressions generally confirm our expectations. The more students graduate from universities, the greater the differences in labor market chances of university graduates from different fields.

Field of Study and Gender Segregation in European Labour Markets

Smyth, E., Steinmetz, S. — 2008-08-07

This article explores the role of field of study in channelling tertiary graduates into gender-appropriate occupations and the extent to which this process varies across countries. Previous research has demonstrated that such cross-country differences can be attributed to the nature of the welfare regime. However, less attention has been devoted to the potential impact of educational institutions and labour market systems. Using the European Union Labour Force Survey 2004 for 17 EU Member States, results of the multilevel analysis reveal that cross-national variation in occupational gender segregation must be seen in the context of institutional variation in education and labour market systems. The representation of women in higher education and the labour force, the gender pay gap and the provision of childcare explain a significant proportion of cross-national variation in occupational segregation by gender.

Field of Study and Flexible Work: A Comparison between Germany and the UK

Giesecke, J., Schindler, S. — 2008-08-07

In this article, the relationship between study programs in higher education and the risk of holding a temporary contract is investigated in a comparative perspective. We find that the effects fields of study have on the type of contract can be better explained by their link to occupational positions than by field specificity differentials. Furthermore, fields of study are more important in explaining the individual risk of holding a temporary contract in the German rather than in the UK labor market. This may be attributable to the higher degree of standardization of the German educational system.

Do Fields of Study Matter for Over-education?: The Cases of Spain and Germany

Ortiz, L., Kucel, A. — 2008-08-07

Resorting to European Labor Force Survey 2003—2005 data and controlling for factors traditionally accounting for over-education, we demonstrate here that fields of study influence the odds of being overeducated in Spain and in Germany. Being more stratified than the Spanish system of education, the German one uses fields of study as a signaling device for the labor market to a lesser extent than Spanish one. Cross-country similarities in terms of the relative position of fields of study within the country are discussed. Two samples have been researched: a general sample with information about individuals' fields of study as well as a restricted sample with additional information individuals' parental ISEI score, when such information was available. Heckman selection modeling has been applied to the latter (restricted) sample. A new technique has been devised to measure over-education, relying on ISCED categories instead of years of education.

Field of Study and Students' Workload in Higher Education: Ireland and Austria in Comparative Perspective

Darmody, M., Smyth, E., Unger, M. — 2008-08-07

There is a growing recognition of the importance of `field of study' in social research. However, few of the existing studies explore the extent to which different fields of study facilitate or constrain opportunities to engage in employment and students' perceptions of their work load in higher education. This article aims to explore the workload of higher education students across different fields of study in comparative perspective. Contrasting Ireland and Austria enables us to explore the way in which the institutional context influences student workload. Analyses of the survey data were conducted to explore the extent to which field of study influenced time spent at formal classes, on personal study and in term-time employment. Regression models were used to estimate the effect of field of study, controlling for a number of factors, including higher education institution, personal characteristics and other potential constraints on student time. Finally, we analyse the effect of student workload on overall satisfaction levels.

Patterns of Social Inequalities in Access to Higher Education in France and Germany

Duru-Bellat, M., Kieffer, A., Reimer, D. — 2008-08-07

This article explores social selectivity in access to tertiary education in France and Germany in the period from 1980 to 2000. Results of multinomial logistic regression models show that access to different postsecondary institutions is characterized by marked social background effects in both countries. Depending on the type of tertiary institution we consider in France or Germany, social selectivity into fields of study is also observed. Overall, there is no indication for substantial changes in the pattern of inequality in access to tertiary education in either country during the past two decades.

Educational Fields of Study and the Intergenerational Mobility Process in Comparative Perspective

Jackson, M., Luijkx, R., Pollak, R., Vallet, L.-A., van de Werfhorst, H. G. — 2008-08-07

This article examines the importance of educational field of study, in addition to educational level, for explaining intergenerational class mobility in four countries: France, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands. Starting from standard models that only include educational level, we increase the complexity of the educational measure by differentiating between fields of study within levels. Contrary to our expectations, including field of study does not substantially reduce the partial effect of class origin on class destination. This seems to be due to the limited association between class origin and field choice, and between field choice and class destination. Implications for stratification and mobility studies are discussed.

Research on Acculturation and Adjustment of Immigrants and Societal Response: Multicultural Perspectives

Fishman, G., Mesch, G. — 2008-05-09

The Prediction of Delinquency among Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Youth: Unwrapping the Package of Culture

Schmitt-Rodermund, E., Silbereisen, R. K. — 2008-05-09

Using a cross-sectional data set of 837 male adolescents (346 local Germans, 375 ethnic German immigrants from the countries of the Former Soviet Union (average length of residence = 7.6 years), 52 first-generation (= foreign born, average length of residence = 9.2 years) and 64 second-generation immigrants (= born in Germany) from other origins such as Turkey, Former Yugoslavia or Afghanistan) aged 15.4 years, this article brings together acculturation research with research on behavior problems in non-immigrant youth. Male immigrants reported higher numbers of delinquent acts pursued in the last 12 months than local boys. First-generation immigrants from mostly Muslim backgrounds show the highest amount of problem behavior. In spite of these differences, comparisons of structural equation models show that the prediction of delinquency is about the same (delinquent beliefs and friends, clique membership, parental monitoring, and language problems) for all four groups. Applying stepwise regression analyses, most of the culture-related variance in boys' delinquency is explained by the same set of predictors with delinquent beliefs and parental violence being the most powerful markers for the differences between the groups. The discussion sheds light on the living situation of immigrant youth in Germany and why delinquent beliefs may be of central importance to understanding the differences between local and immigrant youth.

Social Identity, Identity Formation, and Delinquency

Turjeman, H., Mesch, G., Fishman, G. — 2008-05-09

The purpose of this study has been to gain knowledge about the shaping of social identity among immigrants and the effect of that identity on delinquent behavior. The data are based on a longitudinal study conducted in Israel on 773 immigrant youths from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) who participated in the study for three years. Results from logistic regressions suggest that different models can explain different strategies of identity formation. Regarding delinquent behavior, the assimilation strategy of identity change increases the likelihood of delinquent behavior, but the impact of the assimilation is challenged by the effect of the proportion of the immigrants' Israeli friends. The discussion introduces the concept of subjective and objective assimilation as a possible explanation for the contradictory findings.

Higher Education Entry of Turkish Immigrant Youth in Germany

Kristen, C., Reimer, D., Kogan, I. — 2008-05-09

Drawing on three large datasets from the German Higher Education Information System Institute (HIS) from 1990, 1994 and 1999, the study reveals that Turkish youth are considerably more likely than Germans to enter tertiary education. This result sharply contrasts with findings on the Turks' poor performance in primary and secondary school. The higher propensity for tertiary education among Turks can, to some degree, be explained by their lack of familiarity with the German system of dual vocational training and their educational motivation. Another important finding is that among those who enter higher education students of Turkish origin choose, more often than Germans, academically oriented universities rather than the lower-tier applied science universities. This is mainly due to the selection of more traditional fields offered at universities by Turkish young adults. Our results indicate that the educational decisions of these students after the Abitur by no means contribute to the established pattern of ethnic disadvantages in educational attainment in Germany.

Regional Differences Matter: Examining the Dual Influence of the Regional Size of the Immigrant Population on Derogation of Immigrants in Europe

Schlueter, E., Wagner, U. — 2008-05-09

In this study, we examine which role the size of the immigrant population plays in explaining immigrant derogation within and between European regions. We draw upon group threat- and intergroup contact theory to consider the following question: does a larger size of immigrant population increase perceived group threat and thereby lead to greater immigrant derogation? Or does it increase intergroup contact and thereby ameliorate immigrant derogation? We test the empirical adequacy of these alternative suggestions using regionalized European Social Survey 2002 and official data which will be analyzed by means of multilevel structural equation modeling. Within regions, our results confirm that perceived group threat increases subsequent immigrant derogation. Likewise, intergroup contact reduces perceived group threat and thereby amends such derogation of immigrants. Between regions, our findings show that a larger size of the immigrant population increases both greater perceived group threat and intergroup contact. At the same time, the effects of perceived group threat and intergroup contact on immigrant derogation resemble those found within regions. In sum, these results lend evidence to the generalizability of both group threat- and contact effects. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.

Support for Repatriation Policies of Migrants: Comparisons Across and Explanations for European Countries

Coenders, M., Lubbers, M., Scheepers, P. — 2008-05-09

In this article we focus on the acceptance of migrants among the general public in the receiving societies. We analyze the most radical of such anti-immigrant sentiments, that is, the support for repatriation policies for legally established immigrants. We analyze intra- and international differences among Western and Eastern European societies, taking advantage of recently collected cross-national high quality data providing means to rigorously test hypotheses on individual and contextual level determinants. Although there are large differences between countries within European regions, we found that support for repatriation policies is overall somewhat higher in Western European societies. In line with Ethnic Group Conflict Theory, support for repatriation policies is stronger in countries with higher proportions of resident migrants and higher levels of immigration. Regarding individual level determinants, we found that particularly lower educated individuals are more in favor of repatriation of migrants. The effect of education differs however across countries and is — in line with socialization theories — less strong in Eastern European countries.

What Does a Nation Owe Non-Citizens?: National Attachments, Perception of Threat and Attitudes towards Granting Citizenship Rights in a Comparative Perspective

Raijman, R., Davidov, E., Schmidt, P., Hochman, O. — 2008-05-09

In this article we test the effects of national attachments (patriotism and chauvinism) and perception of threat on citizens' willingness to concede citizenship rights to immigrants in France, Germany (West and East), the USA and Israel. Our findings show that despite marked differences in countries' migration policies and conceptions of nationhood, no significant differences were found in attitudes towards the allocation of citizenship rights to immigrants. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that contrary to our expectations, 1) the effects of both chauvinism and patriotism on willingness to grant citizenship rights to immigrants were rather low in Germany and Israel — the two ethno-national states, and strongest in France and the USA — which stand for republican and multicultural models of incorporation, respectively; 2) the effects of threat on exclusion of immigrants from citizenship rights was weaker in Israel (ethnic democracy) but stronger in the liberal democratic countries. In the conclusion, we suggest possible explanations for these rather intriguing and paradoxical findings.

Foreigners' Impact on European Societies: Public Views and Perceptions in a Cross-National Comparative Perspective

Semyonov, M., Raijman, R., Gorodzeisky, A. — 2008-01-14

The research examines the extent to which attitudes toward foreigners vary across European countries. Using data from the European Social Survey for 21 countries the analysis reveals that foreigners' impact on society is viewed in most countries in negative rather in positive terms. The negative views are most pronounced with regard to foreigners' impact on crime and least pronounced with regard to foreigners' impact on culture. Multi-level regression analysis demonstrates that the negative views tend to be more pronounced among individuals who are socially and economically vulnerable and among individuals who hold conservative political ideologies. The analysis also reveals that negative attitudes toward foreigners tend to be more pronounced in countries characterized by large proportions of foreigners, where economic conditions are less prosperous, and where support for right-wing political parties is more prevalent. The analysis shows that inflated perception of the size of the foreign population is likely to increase negative views toward foreigners and to mediate the relations between actual size and attitudes toward foreigners' impact on society. The findings are presented and discussed in light of sociological theories on individuals and structural sources of public attitudes toward out-group populations and on the role of perceptions in shaping such attitudes.

Transition from Educational System to Labour Market in the European Union: A Comparison between New and Old Members

Saar, E., Unt, M., Kogan, I. — 2008-01-14

Theoretically, the central research question of this article pertains to the way in which national institutional arrangements, namely educational systems, and related modes of labour markets and welfare provisions, affect the aggregate effectiveness of youth labour market integration in the new EU member states in comparison to the old EU countries. The study utilizes the European Union Labour Force Survey 2004. Results of the cluster analysis provide substantial support for distinct patterns of labour market entry in terms of the stratification of labour market exclusion, downgrading risk and labour market mobility of LM entrants in different CEE countries. Furthermore, the article reveals also new aspects of labour market entry in the EU-15 countries while considering not only educational signalling but also the labour market flexibility dimension.

An Index of Pro-Woman Nation-States: A Comparative Analysis of 39 Countries

Wernet, C. A. — 2008-01-14

Pro-woman nation-states need to be identified because these states may help diminish traditional gender roles and gender stratification by providing structural opportunities for women (Wang, 2004; Wernet et al., 2005). Comparative, country-level data on multiple domains, such as female life expectancy, low fertility rates, education levels, the legal status of abortion, the percent of women in public life, female labor force participation, and family leave policies, are gathered from the Population Reference Bureau (1998) and the International Labor Organization (1997). This article explores the differential access that people in 39 countries have to the aforementioned rights and privileges in order to identify which countries have policies that are the most beneficial for women by ranking pro-woman nation-states in a comparative index.

The Work Family Time Squeeze: Conflicting Demands of Paid and Unpaid Work among Working Couples in 29 Countries

Edlund, J. — 2007-11-27

The article analyzes work—family balance among working couples in 29 countries using data from ISSP 2002. Arguments derived from theories on family regimes and modernization are tested. The results indicate that respondents can be categorized into three clusters. The first comprises those having a work—family balance; the second, those having an occupational work-overload; and the third, those having a dual work-overload (i.e. those experiencing too strong demands from both work and family responsibilities). Across countries, cluster sizes vary tremendously. The results indicate that the wealth of a country is strongly associated with the likelihood of achieving a balanced work—family situation. Although the overall probability increases with economic wealth, the relative disadvantage for women compared to men persists. The female disadvantage is mainly a higher risk of occupational overload in the rich countries, whereas in poorer countries there is a higher risk of being in a dual work-overload situation. Among the wealthy industrialized democracies, a balanced work—family situation is more common in the familialist German-linguistic country grouping, followed by the Nordic countries characterized by de-familialization. Market-oriented countries perform less well. Within the perspective of the theory on family regimes, the similarity between the familialist and the de-familialist regimes is an unexpected result.

Employment Insecurity at Labour Market Entry and Its Impact on Parental Home Leaving and Family Formation: A Comparative Study among Recent Graduates in Eight European Countries

Wolbers, M. H. J. — 2007-11-27

This article explores whether employment insecurity (i.e. unemployment and flexible employment) at labour market entry has a negative impact on parental home leaving and family formation. To answer this question, data from a large-scale European graduate survey carried out in 1998 were analysed. The results show that graduates with an insecure employment status at labour market entry are indeed less likely to leave the parental home and establish a nuclear household and family than those with stable first employment. With regard to entry into marriage and parenthood, these results especially hold true for men. Furthermore, it is found that in European countries in which unemployment among tertiary education graduates is high, the likelihood of leaving the parental home and starting a nuclear household and family is smaller than in European countries where such unemployment is low.

Speaking of Globalization: Frame Analysis and the World Society

Essary, E. H. — 2007-11-27

This article introduces the concept of global frames as a means of measuring the degree to which individuals reference transnationalism in their interpretations of various events. Over the past few decades, institutional actors within world society have incorporated a language of globality into the public discourse, and this article examines whether this trend has become visible at the micro-level. The utility of this concept is illustrated using coded newspaper editorials from Canada and the United States in 2001 and 2003. Nearly one-fifth of the sampled editorials used a global frame, meaning that individuals do adopt the rhetoric established in the public sphere. Editorials that discussed either the US-Iraq Conflict or events that involved multiple countries were significantly more likely to use a global frame. In addition, US editorials used global frames at a higher rate than Canadian editorials. Thus, global framing is patterned by both shifts in public discourse and the persistent relevance of national borders.