Educational attainment, occupational achievement and religion in Northern Ireland

Abstract

It has long been established that educational attainment is related to social background and that subsequent occupational achievement is dependent on educational attainment and on social background. In the case of Northern Ireland the relationships connecting these factors have been complicated by the religious division of the community. This has not only greatly influenced the nature of the educational system but as Aunger (1975) has demonstrated it is also a significant factor in the occupational structure. This paper sets out to analyse the relationships connecting social background, educational attainmentand occupational achievement and in the light of this analysis to investigate the part which religious affiliations play in educational attainment and occupational achievement in Northern Ireland. The study is based on a questionnaire, administered throughout Northern Ireland, designed to collect data on the respondents' education, occupational achievement and background.