ABSTRACT
The changes in the occupational pattern of the American Jews are generally due to one or more of the following causes. The pattern varies with the general technological progress and market conditions; new. inventions and an increased or decreased demand for certain commodities invariably leads to changes in the occupational distribution of the general population as well as of the Jews. The desire for a higher standard of living and for more or greater economic security and social prestige is another factor. Add to this the proverbial devotion of Jewish parents to their children; some of them seek better economic opportunities in the hope that their new position or business will eventually enable them to give their children a better start in life. Discrimination in employment leads to changes in the occupational pattern. Finally, the changes are at present also due to an increase in the number of native-born among the gainfully-occupied Jews, for the reason that the vocational preferences, economic interests and social values of American-born Jews are not quite the same as those of their immigrant parents.
