Over at the Brookings Institution there is a fantastic post on how cultural norms affects social mobility with numerous links to pertinent research. For example:
- Neighborhood cultures that accept dropping out of high school, out-of-wedlock births, and unemployment hinder social mobility.
- These cultures often lead to obesity, smoking, and other similar habits.
- Religion is connected to greater social capital and mobility.
- Traits like saving are rooted in community cultures.
Definitely worth checking out.