It is a well known fact in economics that the greater the social inequalities in a given society, the more difficult it is to climb to the top of the social ladder. This phenomenon has even been called the 'Great Gatsby curve'. It refers to the title character of the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The hero of the book quickly became rich, but was not accepted by the upper class, because the social structures were strongly established. 'In Poland, it would perhaps be more convenient to talk about the +Wokulski curve+', jokes the study co-author, Professor Artur Pokropek from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Educational Research Institute - National Research Institute, referring to the journey up the social ladder of the protagonist of Prus's novel The Doll.

15-year-olds were asked to estimate their family's current position in the social hierarchy in the country on a scale of 1 to 10. They were also asked to indicate on the scale where they expected to be in this hierarchy by the age of 30. In addition, they were asked about the professions of their parents and their professional expectations at the age of 30. The results of the work conducted by Francesca Borgonovi from University College of London and Artur Pokropek were published in Science.

The authors of the study analyse social mobility, or the process of movement of individuals or groups within or between social classes (assuming that talents are evenly distributed across social and demographic groups). According to the authors of the publication in Science, social mobility indicates whether society offers equal opportunities for economic and social success regardless of where someone starts.

Based on a survey conducted among almost half a million 15-year-olds from 57 countries - as part of the PISA study - the researchers conclude that young people do not care about the so-called Gatsby curve. Their hopes go directly against this curve: in countries where social inequalities are the greatest (e.g. South America) - teenagers most often believe that they will be able to earn much more than their parents. In countries where social inequalities are smaller (Scandinavia), optimism about jumping up the social ladder is not that strong. The belief in the 'American Dream' is therefore strongest in countries where it is difficult to achieve.

Interestingly, most of the respondents indicated their place in the hierarchy at around 7 points (the average answer is 6.8), although according to the normal distribution it should be 5. This means that young people usually assessed their position in the hierarchy higher than it actually was.

The researchers point out in Science that in a society with greater economic inequality, there is a stronger belief that talent and effort are rewarded, regardless of where you start, than in societies that are more economically equal. Therefore, in countries with greater economic diversity, young people usually place greater emphasis on education as a path to success. Such a perspective may strengthen the belief in social mobility as a way to support the existing order and thus legitimise existing inequalities, the scientists write in the publication.

Pokropek explains that Poland is more or less in the middle of this scale in terms of inequality, opportunities for advancement, and hopes for jumping up the ladder.

"'The effects of such youthful optimism can be twofold, depending on what this optimism encounters. Some people will actually achieve these higher positions thanks to their hope and hard work. But for some, unfulfilled hopes will clash with reality and this will cause frustration and problems', Pokropek comments.

'It is up to us, voters, politicians, members of the community, whether we will enable this advancement, and how this youthful optimism will pay off. In my opinion, it is important for policies to be shaped to enable people from different social spheres to pursue their goals, and consequently - to open up society', the sociologist believes.

Ludwika Tomala (PAP)

lt/ zan/ jpn/