Invisible Inequality at Home: A Sociological Analysis of Educational Attainment among Siblings

• Main Authors: Chih-Lung Hsieh, 謝志龍
• Other Authors: Rueyming Tsay
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/52590290092763949377

博士 === 東海大學 === 社會學系 === 97 === The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the causal relationship associated with different educational attainment among siblings in Taiwanese families. Although tied to the personal characteristics and talents of siblings, it is also an important sociological issue concerning resource distribution and the structure of unequal opportunities. I address the issue of intra-family inequality by classifying ten sibling positions according to the meanings and functions of each, and analyzing their effects on educational attainment. The analysis shows that Taiwanese parents favor specific sibling positions. I present four main findings. First, the most advantageous sibling position in Taiwan is actual eldest son, with benefits from both birth order and gender. Those who occupy this position generally receive plentiful family resources and achieve the highest levels of education. Individuals in this position are, for the most part, served first among all male siblings (four or more children). Second, elder sisters must confront higher probabilities of receiving fewer family resources and achieving lower educational attainment if they have younger brothers—in other words, in large Taiwanese families, elder sisters tend to subsidize the educations of younger brothers. Third, Taiwanese fathers tend to act on the basis of gender stereotypes, doting on actual eldest sons based on the belief that they can bring honor to their ancestors and continue their family lines. Even though average family size is decreasing in modern Taiwan, these differences in sibling treatment still reflect traditional culture. Fourth, unequal sibling treatment produces cumulative advantages in terms of both family and school, influencing resource allocation and opportunity structure for each sibling position, then influencing educational attainment. According to my analysis, each sibling position holds distinct meaning and has specific advantages, the result of unequal investments of family educational resources and different status attainment. In conclusion, differences in sibling position serve as the basis of inequalities in sibship structure.