Originally published in 1980 at a time when the discipline of sociology was still relatively young in Australia, The Inheritance of Inequality is an important contribution to the study of social mobility in Australia. The book is based on findings from a survey of nearly 5,000 Australians who were interviewed about their family backgrounds and occupational careers. In its scope and sample size, the survey was unique among non-governmental Australian studies. It went beyond the findings of earlier surveys, giving broader understanding of social mobility and stratification. The book sets out the processes by which Australians have found their place in the world of work in the 20th Century. Factors tending to enhance or frustrate attainment are identified and the degree to which Australia is an egalitarian society is assessed.
