Ethnicity as a Factor in Status Attainment in Israel / מוצא עדתי בתור גורם בהשגת סטטוס בישראל

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative weight of ethnicity as compared to other factors in status attainment in Israeli society. Comparisons were made between two "generations": those who were born in Israel or immigrated to Israel before the age of fourteen (2nd generation) and those who immigrated to Israel after 14 years of age (1st generation). The analysis is based on a representative sample of employed Jewish males, aged 25—64 years, in 1974, using regression analysis and decomposition techniques. Ethnicity was found to be an important factor in social stratification. In the first place, there is an appreciable inequality in the socio-economic background and achievements between Oriental (Asian-African) and Ashkenazi (EuropeanAmerican) Jews. Secondly, the process of status attainment among each of the two ethnic groups is somewhat different. Thirdly, Ashkenazis' superior resources are shown to give them an edge in obtaining education, occupational prestige and income. Fourthly, neither ethnic group enjoys higher returns for all resources. And finally, ethnic inequality in status attainment persists in the second generation. It is concluded that the findings support the pluralist thesis according to which ethnic inequality in Israel is characterized by mixed trends and processes. On the other hand, they reject both the cultural thesis according to which ethnic differences are supposed to be gradually reduced and the class thesis, which stresses the intensification of ethnic inequality with time.