Social origin and secondary labour market entry: Ascriptive and institutional inequalities over the early career in Italy and Germany

This paper investigates how labour market flexibilisation strengthens the role of social origin in conditioning inter- and intragenerational mobility chances. Drawing on upper-class aversion to downward mobility, we explore mechanisms through which advantaged directly compensate for socioeconomic penalty that arises from initial contractual instability over career. Conversely, examine whether a bad start less-socially privileged entrants represents source cumulative disadvantage. The Italian German markets are compared since optimal national cases duality rigidity yet differing their educational institutions regimes. We perform growth curves under matching framework counterfactually compare career development service- working-class two countries, who began with similar status. reveal contributes unequal trajectory developments both contexts, especially low- middle-educated. No significant DESO emerges among degree holders either country. Finally, attending university entirely reduces flexibility Italy, whereas graduates, serves as gateway more prestigious jobs.