Race and Ethnicity in America (Volume 2) (Sociology in the Twenty-First Century)

__Race and Ethnicity in America__ examines patterns and trends in racial and ethnic inequality in the United States. Drawing upon information collected in surveys such as the decennial census and the American Community Survey, it documents levels of inequality in educational attainment, income, poverty, wealth, residential conditions, and health among whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, and the multiracial population. It illustrate the main findings with in-depth stories gathered from ethnographic work and in topical news stories, and includes international comparisons as well. A recurrent theme in the book is that race and ethnicity are social constructions, as exemplified by how racial and ethnic group definitions and divisions vary over time and place, both within the United States and in other countries. The overarching conclusion is that color lines have generally softened over time in the United States, as there has been some narrowing of differences across many indicators for most groups over the past 60 years. Nevertheless, some deep-seated inequalities remain, especially between blacks and whites. Thus, despite some progress over many decades, illustrated by the substantial growth of the black middle class, African Americans are still more likely to be poor, unemployed, incarcerated, and suffer from worse health than whites. The books evaluates a number of theories that have been used to explain patterns of racial ethnic inequality, including human capital, social capital, culture, assimilation, and racism and discrimination. All play a role, though to a differing extent depending on the groups being considered. Race and Ethnicity in America examines patterns and trends in racial and ethnic inequality over recent decades. John Iceland shows how color lines have generally softened over time in the United States but deep-seated inequalities remain—generally, blacks, American Indians, and some Hispanics fare less well than others. Among these groups, the underlying causes of the disadvantages vary, ranging from the legacy of racism, current discrimination, differences of human capital, the unfolding process of immigrant incorporation, and cultural responses to structural conditions. Throughout the book, Iceland also demonstrates that the ways Americans define racial and ethnic groups, along with changing patterns of identification in the U.S. population, influence our understanding of patterns and trends in racial and ethnic inequality.

The Sociology in the Twenty-First Century Series introduces students to a range of sociological issues of broad interest in the United States today, with each volume addressing topics such as family, race, immigration, gender, education, and social inequality. These books—intended for classroom use—will highlight findings from current, rigorous research and demographic data while including stories about people’s experiences to illustrate major themes in an accessible manner. Learn more at The Sociology in the Twenty-First Century Series. "This book examines patterns and trends in racial inequality over the past several decades. Iceland finds that color lines have softened over time, as there has been some narrowing of differences across many indicators for most groups over the past sixty years. Asian Americans in particular have reached socioeconomic parity with white Americans. Nevertheless, deep-seated inequalities in income, poverty, unemployment, and health remain, especially among blacks, and, to a lesser extent, Hispanics. The causes for disadvantage for the groups vary, ranging from a legacy of racism, current discrimination, human capital deficits, the unfolding process of immigrant incorporation, and cultural responses to disadvantage."--Provided by publisher. Contents Illustrations and Tables Acknowledgments 1. Conversations about Race 2. Race and Ethnicity and Causes of Inequality 3. Black-White Inequality 4. Hispanics and Asians 5. American Indians 6. The Multiracial Population 7. International Comparisons and Policy Debates 8. Conclusion: American Color Lines Notes References Index