INTERGENERATIONAL CLASS MOBILITY AMONG WOMEN AND MEN

Marxist class analysis has largely ignored the investigation of social mobility and at times has openly rejected it as an object of social a nalysis. This paper defends the importance of mobility research for cl ass analysis. It then uses Wright's neo-marxist conception of class st ructure to investigate intergenerational mobility among Australian wom en and men. Drawing upon data from 'The Class Structure of Australia P roject', the paper describes the volume and nature of mobility, and pr esents more detailed findings about the mobility regime which underlie s observed patterns. Such 'relative mobility rates' reflect class-spec ific advantages and disadvantages which shape the opportunities of peo ple from different class backgrounds to move into some destinations ra ther than others. The gendered nature of these patterns is highlighted .