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Life-Course-Sensitive Analysis of Group Inequalities: Combining Sequence Analysis With the Kitagawa–Oaxaca–Blinder Decomposition

Author

Listed:
  • Carla Rowold
  • Emanuela Struffolino
  • Anette Eva Fasang

Abstract

Processes that unfold over individuals’ life courses are often associated with inequalities later in life. The literature lacks methodological approaches to analyze inequalities in outcomes between groups, for example, between women and men, in a life-course-sensitive manner. We propose a combination of methods—of sequence analysis, which enables us to study the multidimensional complexity of life courses with Kitagawa–Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition. This approach allows us to distinguish the share of inequalities between groups that is due to group-specific life courses from the share that is due to group-specific returns to similar life courses. We illustrate the combination of the two methods by analyzing work–family life courses and gender pension gaps in Italy and Germany. Our contribution is to systematically compare possible core analytical choices when combining typologies derived using sequence analysis with the Kitagawa–Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition. For future applications, we propose a set of practical guidelines for sequence analysis–Kitagawa–Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition.

Suggested Citation

  • Carla Rowold & Emanuela Struffolino & Anette Eva Fasang, 2025. "Life-Course-Sensitive Analysis of Group Inequalities: Combining Sequence Analysis With the Kitagawa–Oaxaca–Blinder Decomposition," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 54(2), pages 646-705, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:54:y:2025:i:2:p:646-705
    DOI: 10.1177/00491241231224226
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hänisch, Carsten & Klos, Jonas, 2014. "A decomposition analysis of the German gender pension gap," Discussion Paper Series 2014-04, University of Freiburg, Wilfried Guth Endowed Chair for Constitutional Political Economy and Competition Policy.
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    3. Melanie Arntz & Stephan Dlugosz & Ralf A. Wilke, 2017. "The Sorting of Female Careers after First Birth: A Competing Risks Analysis of Maternity Leave Duration," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 79(5), pages 689-716, October.
    4. Rob Gruijters & Zachary van Winkle & Anette Fasang, 2023. "Life Course Trajectories and Wealth Accumulation in the United States: Comparing Late Baby Boomers and Early Millennials," Post-Print hal-04278042, HAL.
    5. Anna Veremchuk, 2020. "Gender Gap In Pension Income: Cross-Country Analysis And Role Of Gender Attitudes," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Working Paper Series 126, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    6. Anette E. Fasang, 2010. "Retirement: Institutional Pathways and Individual Trajectories in Britain and Germany," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, May.
    7. Ronald L Oaxaca & Eva Sierminska, 2025. "Oaxaca-Blinder meets Kitagawa: What is the link?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(5), pages 1-8, May.
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