ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the National Child Development Study and the British Cohort Study to investigate the trends and differentials in intra-generational socio-economic position with regards social background, educational attainment and childhood cognitive ability test scores. It focuses on investigating the role of ability upon the development of cohort member's careers from their mid-20s through to mid-30s and 40s. Age is an important factor in the achievement of advantaged social positions, as analysed through cohort studies, as different points of contact may correspond to different stages in the career. Investigations which consider social position across age may produce a clearer picture of the processes of social stratification than investigations which focus on changes between cohorts or generations. Demonstrated ability in employment may be nurtured skills attained throughout the life course, whereas the interest in present research is the effect of childhood ability test scores. Family background and education will exert greatest influence at the early stages of the occupational career.
