The Economics Show
Why even a PhD isn’t enough to erase the effects of class, with Anna Stansbury
Oct 7, 2024
Anna Stansbury, an assistant professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management, explores class-based inequalities in the US. She emphasizes how family backgrounds can hinder career progression, regardless of educational achievements like a PhD. The discussion delves into how class disparities persist in academia and the stark differences between private and public sector opportunities. Stansbury advocates for more inclusive practices that consider socioeconomic factors, aiming to illuminate the often-invisible class dynamics affecting professional success.
33:03
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Quick takeaways
- Class background significantly impacts career success and opportunities for PhD holders, regardless of race or gender.
- Systemic barriers persist in both academia and industry, necessitating policy changes to address class inequalities and promote inclusivity.
Deep dives
Understanding the Class Ceiling
Class ceiling refers to the barriers that individuals face based on their family background, regardless of their qualifications, such as having a PhD. The podcast highlights that even academically accomplished individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often struggle in their careers compared to their peers from more privileged families. The speaker discusses how class background, which encompasses family income, education, and cultural capital, plays a significant role in determining one's opportunities and success later in life. This discussion reveals that class should be regarded as a critical factor influencing career trajectory, similar to racial and gender issues that have more publicly received attention.
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