scholarly journals ‘We Have Equal Opportunities – in Theory’: Lay Perceptions of Privilege, Meritocracy and Inequality in Denmark

Sociology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 003803852199920
Author(s):  
Ditte Andersen ◽  
Malene Lue Kessing ◽  
Jeanette Østergaard
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Social Forces ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Reference Groups ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Opportunity Structures ◽  
Lay Perceptions ◽  
Micro Level

This article reports on the findings from a qualitative, longitudinal study on lay perceptions of opportunity structures among young adults in Denmark. Previous research suggests that people often underestimate the extent of inequality and that rising inequality aggravates misperceptions. Our study deepens the understanding of the multi-layered processes that form meritocratic beliefs, and it identifies key factors at the macro-, meso- and micro-level. A macro-level factor that proved influential was a cultural script revolving around the Danish lay concept, social arv [social inheritance]. At the meso level, the factor of reference groups in socio-economic heterogeneous schools was instrumental for formations of inequality perceptions, but in dissimilar ways depending on micro-level subjective factors. Overall, the participants viewed the free educational system in Denmark as part of a welfare system that equalises opportunity structures in principle, while the majority simultaneously exhibited a nuanced awareness of social forces negating meritocracy in practice.

scholarly journals ‘We have equal opportunities—in theory’: Lay perceptions of privilege, meritocracy and inequality in Denmark

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ditte Andersen ◽  
Malene Lue Kessing ◽  
Jeanette Østergaard
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Social Forces ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Reference Groups ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Opportunity Structures ◽  
Lay Perceptions ◽  
Micro Level

This paper reports on the findings from a qualitative, longitudinal study on lay perceptions of opportunity structures among young adults in Denmark. Previous research suggests that people often underestimate the extent of inequality and that rising inequality aggravates misperceptions. Our study deepens the understanding of the multi-layered processes that form meritocratic beliefs, and it identifies key factors at the macro-, meso-, and micro-level. A macro-level factor that proved influential was a cultural script revolving around the Danish lay concept, social arv [social inheritance]. At the meso level, the factor of reference groups in socio-economic heterogeneous schools was instrumental for formations of inequality perceptions, but in dissimilar ways depending on micro-level subjective factors. Overall, the participants viewed the free educational system in Denmark as a part of a welfare system that equalises opportunity structures in principle, while the majority simultaneously exhibited a nuanced awareness of social forces negating meritocracy in practice.

The Politics of the Mundane

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
ROBERTO F. CARLOS
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Political Participation ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Children Of Immigrants ◽  
Political Activity ◽  
Immigrant Communities ◽  
Representative Survey ◽  
Political Inequality ◽  
Political Events

Extensive research on political participation suggests that parental resources strongly predict participation. Other research indicates that salient political events can push individuals to participate. I offer a novel explanation of how mundane household experiences translate to political engagement, even in settings where low participation levels are typically found, such as immigrant communities. I hypothesize that experiences requiring children of Latinx immigrants to take on “adult” responsibilities provide an environment where children learn the skills needed to overcome the costs associated with participation. I test this hypothesis using three datasets: a survey of Latinx students, a representative survey of young adults, and a 10-year longitudinal study. The analyses demonstrate that Latinx children of immigrants taking on adult responsibilities exhibit higher levels of political activity compared with those who do not. These findings provide new insights into how the cycle of generational political inequality is overcome in unexpected ways and places.

scholarly journals The Influence of Alcohol Consumption on Fighting, Shoplifting and Vandalism in Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3509
Author(s):  
Ieuan Evans ◽  
Jon Heron ◽  
Joseph Murray ◽  
Matthew Hickman ◽  
Gemma Hammerton
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Experimental Findings ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study ◽  
Causal Component

Experimental studies support the conventional belief that people behave more aggressively whilst under the influence of alcohol. To examine how these experimental findings manifest in real life situations, this study uses a method for estimating evidence for causality with observational data—‘situational decomposition’ to examine the association between alcohol consumption and crime in young adults from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Self-report questionnaires were completed at age 24 years to assess typical alcohol consumption and frequency, participation in fighting, shoplifting and vandalism in the previous year, and whether these crimes were committed under the influence of alcohol. Situational decomposition compares the strength of two associations, (1) the total association between alcohol consumption and crime (sober or intoxicated) versus (2) the association between alcohol consumption and crime committed while sober. There was an association between typical alcohol consumption and total crime for fighting [OR (95% CI): 1.47 (1.29, 1.67)], shoplifting [OR (95% CI): 1.25 (1.12, 1.40)], and vandalism [OR (95% CI): 1.33 (1.12, 1.57)]. The associations for both fighting and shoplifting had a small causal component (with the association for sober crime slightly smaller than the association for total crime). However, the association for vandalism had a larger causal component.

A Longitudinal Study of Objectively Measured Built Environment as Determinant of Physical Activity in Young Adults: The European Youth Heart Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 909-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper Schipperijn ◽  
Mathias Ried-Larsen ◽  
Merete S. Nielsen ◽  
Anneli F. Holdt ◽  
Anders Grøntved ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Environmental Indices ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
European Youth

Background:This longitudinal study aimed to examine if a Movability Index (MI), based on objectively measured built environment characteristics, was a determinant for objectively measured physical activity (PA) among young adults.Methods:Data collected from 177 persons participating in the Danish part of the European Youth Hearth Study (EYHS) was used to examine the effect of the built environment on PA. A MI was developed using objectively measured built environment characteristics, and included residential density, recreational facilities, daily destinations and street connectivity.Results:Results showed a positive cross-sectional association between MI and PA. PA decreased from baseline to follow-up. MI increased, primarily due to participants relocating to larger cities. An increase in MI from baseline to follow-up was associated with a reduced decrease in PA for females.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that the built environment is a determinant for PA, especially for females. The found gender differences might suggest the need to develop gender specific environmental indices in future studies. The validity of the measures can be further improved by creating domain specific PA measures as well as domain specific environmental indices and this can potentially reveal more specific built environment determinants for PA.

scholarly journals Development of work participation in young adults with cerebral palsy: A longitudinal study

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 648-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Verhoef ◽  
I Bramsen ◽  
H Miedema ◽  
H Stam ◽  
M Roebroeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Work Participation

scholarly journals The aspect of self-organization in the formation of an effective educational system in college

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.13) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Evgeniy M. Dorozhkin ◽  
Elena Yu. Scherbina ◽  
Oleg N. Arefiev
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Economic Situation ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Self Development ◽  
Technological Tools

The urgency of the problem under investigation is determined by the need to identify and develop the basic theoretical and methodological foundations of the process of self-organization aimed at developing the mechanism of self-development and achieving the desired result (goal) of college educational system in the current socio-economic situation. The purpose of the article is to scientifically substantiate the theoretical and methodological foundations of the process of self-organization of the educational system of college aimed at developing a mechanism for self-development and achieving the desired result in the preparation of highly qualified specialists for professional adaptation and career growth in the labor market. The leading method of research is the analysis and generalization of scientific provisions on this topic. The article substantiates scientific, methodological and technological tools, develops a conceptual model and algorithm for the process of self-organization of college educational system capable of forming a mechanism of self-development, of responding promptly to changes in the current social and economic situation and of achieving the desired result in the preparation of competitive specialists in demand on the labor market. The developed conceptual model, scientific-methodical and technological tools are aimed at solving practical problems of increasing the effectiveness of educational systems, identifying and forecasting the key factors of their self-development in the changing social and economic situation and in the external environment.  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document