Intergenerational Education Mobility in Africa: Has Progress been Inclusive?

Abstract

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.

Nursing as a pathway to women's empowerment and intergenerational mobility

“…Parental background influences children's educational, health and general life outcomes (Lambert et al., ). More specifically, parental educational attainment is thought to influence educational outcomes among children, particularly daughters (Azomahou & Yitbarek, ). Many graduates in the present study achieved qualifications two levels above the educational attainment of their parents.…”

“…Low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) face a compounding burden of poverty, rapid population growth, high levels of diseases and limited access to health, education and social services. Despite recent economic growth in Sub‐Saharan Africa, rising inequality (particularly for women and children) has been noted in several countries, including each of the East African nations (Azomahou & Yitbarek, ). An earlier study reported that, although Africa has a 28% share of the global burden of diseases and 13.76% of the global population, it only has a 1.3% share of health services (Simplice, ).…”

“…It is associated with increased health‐seeking behaviour and reduced child mortality (Kateja, ). Education is essential in helping intergenerational and occupational mobility (Azomahou & Yitbarek, ; Lambert et al., ). Parental education levels are a major determinant of children's educational attainments, with intergenerational education persistence being strong from mothers to children, particularly daughters (Azomahou & Yitbarek, ).…”

“…Education is essential in helping intergenerational and occupational mobility (Azomahou & Yitbarek, ; Lambert et al., ). Parental education levels are a major determinant of children's educational attainments, with intergenerational education persistence being strong from mothers to children, particularly daughters (Azomahou & Yitbarek, ). The literacy rate among those aged 15 years and older in the African region was 64% in 2007–2012, with rates lower among women in many countries (WHO, ).…”

“…These findings resonate with the “Triple Impact” report, which highlights the broad impacts of engaging women in nursing education (APPG, ). However, despite women being more active than their mothers, they still have less occupational mobility than men (Azomahou & Yitbarek, ; Lambert et al., ).…”