Workers from privileged backgrounds earn more than others

Workers from privileged backgrounds earn up to £18,000 more than others who had more humble starts in life, research has claimed.

A study has shown how the the average pay gap has reached £7,350 a year while doctors with poor or working class origins earn £17,000 less than those with more privileged upbringings.

And lawyers with more humble backgrounds earn £18,000 less according to the findings, which are due to be published in the American Sociological Review.

Workers from privileged backgrounds earn up to £18,000 more than others who had more humble starts in life, research has claimed. The graph shows the difference in earnings between people with working class origins and those with privileged upbringings

The study was based on a Labour Force Survey which asked questioned 100,000 people between July and September last year.

According to Nicholas Hellen of the Sunday Times, participants were questioned about the jobs held by the breadwinner in their homes when they were 14.

Results of the survey found that the pay gap was now ten per cent after taking into account factors which included education, age, ethnicity and gender.

The authors of the report, Daniel Laurison and Sam Friedman, from the London School of Economics said the upwardly mobile face a 'class ceiling' even once they have made it into Britain's top tier professions.

This includes the financial, legal and medical sectors often occupied by those who enjoyed privileged upbringings - but it also applies to the armed forces, police and IT, usually seen as more open career paths.

Mr Friedman is quoted as explaining that working class professionals with similar qualifications may be at a disadvantage because of cultural bias.

Hollywood actress Julie Walters (left) suggested earlier this year that working-class children 'aren't represented' enough in the arts. The last two years has seen a surge in the success of the likes of Harrow educated Benedict Cumberbatch (right) and Old Etonian Damien Lewis

He said: 'Employers may consider as signs of talent or competence attributes actually rooted in privileged upbringings - such as RP [received pronunciation] accents, a ‘polished’ appearance or highbrow tastes and hobbies.'

The research comes amid debate over whether there is a class divide in the arts.

Hollywood actress Julie Walters suggested earlier this year that working-class children 'aren't represented' enough and branded it 'really sad' that youngsters from privileged backgrounds were enjoying all the breaks.

The last two years has seen a surge in the success of the likes of Harrow educated Benedict Cumberbatch and Old Etonian Damien Lewis.

Laurison and Friedman questioned 47 actors, the Sunday Times reports, with research finding that those with more privileged backgrounds had been able to attend better acting schools.

One actress is reported to have said: ')During an an audition) someone asked me... whether I could speak "properly" if I wanted to. They actually said that to my face.'

Culled from Mail Online

http://newsscrollngr.com/index.php/workers-from-privileged-backgrounds-earn-more-than-others

@OP:

Coming to Nigeria, the privileged and/or enlightened would earn more because of exposure and understanding that earning a living is different from building a career.

They would also have more opportunities to start from the right places in this man know man society.

Nevertheless, anyone who is determined will come out tops; the timing might just be different.

bukatyne:
@OP:

Coming to Nigeria, the privileged and/or enlightened would earn more because of exposure and understanding that earning a living is different from building a career.

They would also have more opportunities to start from the right places in this man know man society.

Nevertheless, anyone who is determined will come out tops; the timing might just be different.

hmmm...

Such is life and I am not at all surprised. The rich have more contacts and networks who can push their children. They can also give better career advice to their kids. Besides, their kids don't need to just get a job, they can get the right job or even start a business. And their kids can will surely go to better schools.

TooNoisy:
Such is life and I am not at all surprised. The rich have more contacts and networks who can push their children. They can also give better career advice to their kids. Besides, their kids don't need to just get a job, they can get the right job or even start a business. And their kids can will surely go to better schools.

0

Strangely, I am just seeing this.

I agree with your post.

Happy new year

This is an indictment on the Capitalist mode of living. The failure of government institutions has given the private sector a match ahead which has eventually created an unfair classified society. Money is the main bill of exchange for opportunities in the Capitalist world.

you do know any job not owned by the govt is owned by private individuals?

Akposb:
This is an indictment on the Capitalist mode of living. The failure of government institutions has given the private sector a match ahead which has eventually created an unfair classified society. Money is the main bill of exchange for opportunities in the Capitalist world.

The socialist world doesn't seem to fair any better either. You'll still find varying classes in the most communist societies. That is the law of nature. A classless society is an unfortunate mirage. Life will reward everyone according to a lot of varying factors. The only way you'll have every on every on the same class is if you make them robots.

Timbuktou:


The socialist world doesn't seem to fair any better either. You'll still find varying classes in the most communist societies. That is the law of nature. A classless society is an unfortunate mirage. Life will reward everyone according to a lot of varying factors. The only way you'll have every on every on the same class is if you make them robots.

Definitely true that there can never be a non classless society but in the case of Nigeria, corruption and mismanagement can easily be blamed. The public institutions especially schools are overburdened hence pupils that attend these institutions are not likely to receive as much help as their mates in the private sector. The fact remains that opportunities most times are not open to the lower class as much as the upper class.

Akposb:

Definitely true that there can never be a non classless society but in the case of Nigeria, corruption and mismanagement can easily be blamed. The public institutions especially schools are overburdened hence pupils that attend these institutions are not likely to receive as much help as their mates in the private sector. The fact remains that opportunities most times are not open to the lower class as much as the upper class.

It's the same in societies where there's reportedly little to no corruption. TooNoisy captured it best. It is what it is.

Akposb:
This is an indictment on the Capitalist mode of living. The failure of government institutions has given the private sector a match ahead which has eventually created an unfair classified society. Money is the main bill of exchange for opportunities in the Capitalist world.

The Govt has failed no doubt BUT....

How many people know that building a career is different from a getting a job?

I don't think there is a class wage gap in naija, where such dichotomy exists would be in the area of job seeking as rich people are usually disposed to better opportunities...
Doctors or lawyers on the same level, in the same organisation earn equal wage irrespective of background....