THE EFFECTS OF FAMILY BACKGROUND ON THE L IVING-CONDITIONS AMONG FINNISH MEN

Sons tend to follow their fathers' choise of education and occupation. The choice of education and occupation affect their income. The measu reable effect of family background on men's earnings does not, however , seem to be that significant in Finland. This can partly be due to th e comparatively equal distribution of earnings in Finland. But still, there are differences between living conditions of different social gr oups. Everybody does not have the same resources to start from. If son s are affected by their family background when they choose their educa tion and occupation and if all this affect their living condition, we can claim that social status is inherited, which can be considered unf air.