Work, Occupations, and Professions, Sociology of

Many aspects of sociological inquiry such as social class, race and ethnicity, gender, and economic relationships are closely tied to the study of work and occupations. During the twentieth century the study of work and occupations grew in empirical and theoretical sophistication. The sociological study of work and occupations has always reflected the major social, economic, and cultural forces affecting society. The study of professions, beginning with medicine and law but now encompassing many other kinds of work, has been a major concern of the sociology of work and occupations for many years. One of the most important of these has been the movement of large numbers of women into the ranks of paid employees. Educational attainments have always been an important source of occupational attainment, never more so than today. Another key issue animating the sociology of work and occupations is immigration, both legal and illegal.