This thesis is formed of three chapters. The first chapter examines the effect on social mobility and economic growth following the introduction of reprogenetic technology such that parents can choose to invest in the talent or ability of their unborn children. I find that if the economy is initially in a steady state such that social mobility is low, the introduction of such technology can increase social mobility and economic growth. If the economy is initially in a steady state such that social mobility is high, then the introduction of such technology will not increase (and may decrease) social mobility and will not affect economic growth. The second chapter is a review of the literature on how immigration affects wages focusing on studies of the US and UK labour markets. The third chapter analyses how the skill premium depends on the relative supply of high and low skilled workers in the economy, and the size of the economy. Using a two-sector model where one sector is more skill-intensive than the other, and returns to scale are larger in the skill-intensive sector, I find that the skill premium depends positively on the size of the economy. I consider the effect of an exogenous increase in the number of skilled workers (perhaps due to immigration) on the skill premium and find that under certain conditions the skill premium may increase. I then analyse the effect on the skill premium and the relative price of the skill intensive good in the short and long run and compare the models predictions to the data.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-21T18:37:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_FINAL_DIGITAL.pdf: 1298890 bytes, checksum: 6bd5121786ef9fd593c494d261c99b0b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-21T18:37:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_FINAL_DIGITAL.pdf: 1298890 bytes, checksum: 6bd5121786ef9fd593c494d261c99b0b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / CNPQ / Apesar de bem documentada a influência dos aspectos socioeconômicos sobre o estado nutricional, a maneira como se dá essa relação ainda é complexa e se expressa diversamente entre diferentes estratos demográficos e socioeconômicos. Comumente, estudos relacionam o estado nutricional às condições socioeconômicas atuais dos indivíduos, porém estudos recentes sugerem que a trajetória socioeconômica ao longo da vida, denominada mobilidade social, pode ter algum efeito neste processo. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo investigar a influência da mobilidade social no estado nutricional de adolescentes. Utilizaram-se dados de 217 adolescentes de uma coorte de nascidos em 1993/1994 na zona da mata meridional de Pernambuco (74 nascidos com baixo peso e 143 com peso entre 3000 e 3500g), avaliados sistematicamente nos primeiros seis meses de vida e reavaliados aos dezenove anos. A variável explanatória de interesse foi a mobilidade social familiar avaliada entre o nascimento e a adolescência e entre os desfechos o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) e a altura. A mobilidade social não apresentou associação significante com o IMC. A análise de regressão linear múltipla revelou associação significante entre mobilidade do tamanho da família e altura, verificando-se que adolescentes de famílias sempre pequenas eram 4cm mais altos que os dos demais grupos. O poder explicativo da mobilidade social (4,7%) foi semelhante ao da altura materna (5,4%) em explicar a variação de altura nos adolescentes. Os adolescentes do sexo masculino apresentaram 11cm a mais que as meninas, explicando 45% da variação em altura. Ressaltamos a importância, além do fator constitucional relacionado ao sexo, dos fatores ambientais na determinação da altura na adolescência. O menor tamanho da família teria refletido em uma maior disponibilidade de alimentos e cuidados maternos, exercendo efeito importante nas condições de saúde e nutrição durante a vida, permitindo maior expressão do potencial de crescimento nesta população. / Although well documented the influence of socioeconomic factors on the nutritional status, the way how this relationship occur is complex and is expressed differently among different demographic and socioeconomic strata. Generally, studies relate nutritional status to current socioeconomic conditions of individuals, but recent studies suggest that socioeconomic trajectory throughout life, the social mobility, may have some effect on this process. This study aimed to investigate the influence of social mobility on nutritional status of adolescents. They used data from 217 adolescents from a cohort born in 1993/1994 in the area of South of Pernambuco (74 born underweight and 143 weighing between 3000 and 3500g), systematically evaluated in the first six months of life and reassessed at nineteen. The explanatory variable of interest was the family social mobility evaluated from birth to adolescence and the outcomes was body mass index (BMI) and height. Social mobility showed no significant association with BMI. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between mobility of family size and height, verifying that teenagers of families always small were 4cm higher than the other groups. The explanatory power of social mobility (4.7%) was similar to maternal height (5.4%) in explaining the height variation in adolescents. The male adolescents presented 11cm more than the girls, explaining 45% of the variation in height. We highlight the importance, in addition to the constitutional factor related to sex, environmental factors determining the height in adolescence. The smaller size of the family would have reflected in a greater availability of food and maternal care, playing an important effect on health and nutrition conditions for life, allowing greater expression of the growth potential in this population.

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Given the consistent findings in the development literature that fertility is associated with economic growth for individuals, families, and even influences a country's Gross Domestic Product, I explore to what degree motorcycles impact changes in fertility in rural Indonesia. I argue that motorcycles function as a "Distance Demolishing Technology" (Scott 2009:11) and therein empower individuals, particularly young rural women from lower socioeconomic groups who are socially and economically isolated, through increasing their access to labor markets, educational opportunities, non-familial social organizations, and more diverse social networks—key indicators in affecting fertility decisions identified in the existing literature. I examine this relationship in Indonesia where from 1990 to 2009, motorcycle ownership in Indonesia increased approximately 893% while the Indonesian population increased approximately 15% (Badan Pusat Statistik 2009). Using Demographic and Health Survey data across 1994, 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2007, I examine this relationship through a combination of multilevel regression models. My findings show a strong association between motorcycle ownership and a decrease in four different measures of fertility. Considering the importance of fertility in indicating individual and aggregate economic development—particularly in terms of increasing GDP and GNI per Capita—my findings indicate that sometimes even the simplest of technologies can be the "engines" of social and economic change.

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This study addresses the extent to which participation in the military affects subsequent status attainment and mobility in America. The purpose of this research was to conduct a comprehensive examination of existing empirical research resulting in a synthesis of findings and establishing a concise summary of the state of the literature on this topic. The study is limited to the examination of existing research on male veterans in the years between 1950 and the present. Findings from sixty-four articles and seven books are presented. The background characteristics of servicemen, the promotion and retention of servicemen, and the post-service earnings and education of servicemen, in the era of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the All-Volunteer Force are discussed. When possible, comparisons are made between servicemen and their civilian counterparts, as well as between Anglos and African Americans. Findings indicate that men serving in the military prior to Vietnam were from somewhat higher socio-economic and educational backgrounds. The background characteristics of Anglo veterans of Vietnam and the AVF were homogenous to their civilian counterparts. Black veterans of the period from the war in Vietnam through the present have slightly higher levels of education and income prior to service as compared to their civilian counterparts. Research on promotion, retention, and military occupational assignments demonstrate that blacks are more likely to enlist and re-enlist than are Anglos. Promotions are currently achieved at approximately the same rate regardless of race. However, throughout the period examined, blacks are more likely to be trained in military occupational specialties considered to be less transferable to the civilian workforce. Findings on post-service attainment are limited to the examination of income, earnings, and education. Military service resulted in higher levels of income, earnings, and education for all veterans serving since 1950, with the notable exception of Anglo Vietnam veterans. In other words, as compared to their civilian counterparts, veterans had significantly higher incomes, earnings, and educational levels post-service. Explanations for the association between military service and social mobility, including fluctuations in enlistment standards and educational benefits during the period under investigation, are presented. / Ph. D.

<p dir="ltr">This dissertation includes two independent chapters which investigated the relations between upward social mobility (USM) and mental health in the United States. Chapter 1 was a systematized review which identified, cataloged, and synthesized the existing literature on the relations between USM and mental health in the United States. Four electronic databases were searched (i.e., PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and, through an exhaustive screening and data extraction process, a sample of 15 studies were reviewed. Chapter 1 used narrative synthesis (i.e., tabulation and thematic analysis) to describe and synthesize patterns across the existing literature. Notably, review findings revealed great variability in both research methodology used by studies as well as study findings. Moreover, review findings suggested that the variability observed among study findings was likely influenced by a lack of consistent operationalization of social mobility. Finally, recommendations for future research were provided.</p><p dir="ltr">Chapter 2 was an empirical study that examined moderators and mediators of the relations between USM and mental health. Based on the status-based identity framework (SBI; Destin et al., 2017), I hypothesized that USM would relate to poorer mental health, that belonging would mediate the relations between USM and mental health, and that internalized classism, interpersonal classism, and social class centrality would moderate the mediation. Data from a sample of 331 U.S. adults were collected via Prolific. While study results supported the first two hypotheses, only interpersonal classism was found to moderate the mediation. Specifically, the conditional indirect effect showed that those who experienced high and moderate levels of interpersonal classism had a negative relation between USM and belonging. Finally, study limitations and implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.</p>

No / When it comes to university choices for both students and academics, it might seem like everyone wants to study and work in the institutions that top the league tables and the world rankings – but research seems to indicate this isn’t the case.

The American Dream which boasts equal opportunity, meritocracy, and prosperity in accordance with an individual's hard work and dedication continues to instill hope in upward social mobility. Understanding social mobility necessitates an examination of individuals' or groups' ability to move upward or downward in status based on wealth, occupation, education, or some other social variable ("Social mobility," n.d.). Accordingly, social mobility within a hierarchical status system like the United States parallels inequality and presents challenges for underrepresented populations. More specifically, there is a gap that exists in the perceptions, generalizations, and realizations of social mobility for Black men in America resulting in a dichotomous disparity that is perplexing and adds to some of the greatest challenges and barriers to social mobility facing Black men. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to employ a cognitive lens to examine factors affecting the social mobility experiences of Black men throughout their educational and occupational pursuits, and/or community involvement; ultimately giving voice to a traditionally marginalized group. Cognitive problem solving styles, decision making, performed behaviors, and diverse social interactions were explored within the context of negotiating overarching stereotypes, overcoming barriers, making good decisions, and persisting towards social mobility. The conceptual framework for the study took into account cognitive function, race, and resilience by way of Kirton's Adaption-Innovation Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Resilience Theory, respectively. The study findings offer counter-narratives to rebuff dominant ideology about Black men in society, facilitate an understanding of values and motivators, introduce characteristics that aid social mobility, and may inform strategies, policies, and programing that affect Black men. Recommendations for further research are also offered. / Ph. D. / The American Dream continues to inspire hope in upward social mobility. Such hope is grounded in the belief that hard work and merit will be favorably reflected in wealth, occupation, education, and other social variables that influence social mobility. However, a hierarchical status system like the United States parallels inequality and presents challenges for marginalized populations such as Black men. More specifically, a gap exists in the perceptions and realizations of their social mobility, which creates contradictions and adds to some of the greatest challenges and barriers to social mobility facing Black men in America. The purpose of this research study was to examine factors affecting the social mobility experiences of Black men using a cognitive lens, and ultimately give voice to a traditionally marginalized group. Problem solving styles, decision making, behaviors, and social environments were explored via the conceptual framework, which included Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Resilience Theory. The study findings offer counter-narratives about Black men in society, facilitate an understanding of values and motivators, and introduce characteristics that aid social mobility.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Iowa, 2000. / Supervisor: Scott R. Eliason. Also issued in paper (viii, 114 leaves, bound ; 28 cm.). Includes bibliographical references. Also issued on CD-ROM (43 files, 421 kilobytes).