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Social Origins and Field of Study

Author

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  • Scervini, Francesco
  • Volponi, Laura

Abstract

Horizontal gender segregation in education negatively impacts both equity and efficiency in the labor market, contributing to disparities in career opportunities and economic outcomes. This paper examines the influence of social origins on gender segregation in Italian tertiary education over recent decades. Utilizing high-quality data on individuals born between 1941 and 1995, we find that parental education significantly shapes offspring's field of study choices. Specifically, higher parental education increases the likelihood of students making nontraditional field choices - girls selecting traditionally maledominated fields, such as STEM, and boys opting for traditionally female-dominated fields. This effect is primarily driven by girls entering male-dominated fields. The results remain robust across various field classifications and model specifications, highlighting the enduring role of family background in shaping educational and occupational outcomes. These findings align with previous research conducted in other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Scervini, Francesco & Volponi, Laura, 2025. "Social Origins and Field of Study," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1623, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1623
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Higher education; Fields of study; Gender inequality; Equality of opportunities; Intergenerational inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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