Gender differences in objective and subjective social reproduction in China: do educational attainment and social capital matter?

Abstract Social reproduction can reflect the intergenerational transmission of advantages and reveal the inequality of society. However, limited research has been conducted on both objective and subjective social reproduction and their gender differences in China. Drawing on data from the China General Social Survey 2017, this study investigated objective and subjective social reproduction, using educational attainment and social capital as mediators. Multiple-group structural equation modeling was adopted to further examine gender differences in social reproduction in China. The results showed that only educational attainment could mediate objective social reproduction; while the mediating roles of educational attainment and social capital were both significant in subjective social reproduction. Gender differences were demonstrated in both objective and subjective social reproduction. These findings provide a comprehensive account of intergenerational social reproduction and its gender differentiation in China.