It runs in the family: A study on intergenerational occupational mobility in the Philippines

In the last half-century, research on social mobility has evolved from a sociological phenomenon into a field of study that has broadened to explain the impact of intergenerational linkages in the persistence of wealth and inequality. Recent studies like Cunha & Heckman (2007) have taken on a more multidisciplinary approach by incorporating skill technology in explaining the variances in socioeconomic outcomes. Applying three ordered probit models, this study examines the possible factors that contribute to the intergenerational persistence of occupations in the Philippine labor market using nationally representative data obtained from the 2018 Merged Family Income and Expenditure Survey and Labor Force Survey. Findings indicate that family background indeed impacts occupational outcomes where children from households with high income and highly-skilled and well-educated parents are more likely to work in high-skilled occupations. In terms of gender differences, there is evidence of horizontal occupational gender segregation in the Philippine labor market. Sons are more likely to be employed in elementary and laborious medium-skilled occupations. At the same time, daughters are more likely to enter medium-skilled administrative occupations regardless of either parent’s occupational choice