This study examines the impact of family social resources, including parental education, occupation, and social networks, on individual career paths from an intergenerational perspective. Drawing on social capital theory and intergenerational transmission theory, we hypothesize that individuals from families with higher levels of social resources will have more advantageous career outcomes compared to those from families with lower levels of social resources. We also expect to find evidence of the intergenerational transmission of social capital, with children's career outcomes being positively associated with the social resources of their parents. Employing a cross-sectional design and a diverse sample of 532 parent-child dyads (N = 1,064), we conduct multivariate analyses to test the relationships between family social resources and career path indicators, such as occupational status, job satisfaction, and income. The results reveal significant positive associations between parental education, occupation, and social networks and child career outcomes, even after controlling for relevant demographic variables. Structural equation modeling demonstrates the intergenerational transmission of social resources, with parental resources having significant direct and indirect effects on child career outcomes through child education level. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms through which family background influences career trajectories and highlight the importance of considering the role of social capital in the reproduction of social inequality across generations. Practical implications for promoting social mobility and equal opportunities in the labor market are discussed.

Yan Li. Examining the Impact of Family Social Resources on Career Paths: An Intergenerational Perspective. Frontiers in Educational Research (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 8: 54-60. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2025.080810.

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