Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 5: Race and Ethnic Variations

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Race and Ethnicity Race is a socially constructed classification system that assumes that physical differences represent genetic, biological, and psychological capabilities and predispositions. Ethnicity refers to people from different cultural backgrounds.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Historical Context Cultural themes that distinguish minority from dominant race/ethnic groups: 1. Collectivism/communalism 2. Familism 3. Patriachy

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Assimilation and Acculturation For minority groups in the U.S.: Assimilation—integration into existing systems of social relationships. Acculturation—adoption of dominant cultural values.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ecological Conditions Race and ethnic differences may be the result of ecological conditions brought about by prior historical experience. These include: –Social class –Prejudice –Discrimination –Segregation

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Prejudice and Discrimination Prejudice refers to negative impressions and bias towards minority group members. Discrimination refers to negative and exclusionary behaviors towards minority group members.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. African Americans Until 2001, Were the Largest Racial-Ethnic Minority Group in the U.S. (12.5% of U.S. Population Not a Uniform Entity, but a Very Diverse Group Understood Within a Particular Social and Historical Context

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Historical Transitions Affecting African American Families From Africa to the United States From Slavery to Emancipation From Rural/Southern to Urban/Northern Areas

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. From Africa to the U.S. The three relevant factors in this transition are: –Color–Skin tone has always had significant effects on educational attainment, occupation, and income. –Cultural Discontinuity–Culture disrupted by slavery and social conditions in the U.S. –Slavery–African Americans did not choose to come here.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. From Slavery to Emancipation The Emancipation Proclamation and the end of slavery resulted in three patterns of family life: –Tenant farmers; –Skilled laborers; and –Disrupted families.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. From the Rural South to the Urban North This geographic shift resulted in: –Metropolitan/urban residence –Heavy concentrations of poverty –Disruption of nuclear families –Geographic separation from extended families –Increased access to schools, social services, and medical facilities

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Socioeconomic Context Black Americans have realized tremendous gains in recent years. Disparities still exist in: –Employment –Income –Education levels

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Two Patterns of African American Family Matricentric—Female headed with males who come and go and who may struggle with unemployment and incarceration. Two-parent—Males are likely to have more stable employment and assume an active role in decision-making and child-rearing responsibilities.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. To Keep in Mind: There is a wide range of family structures beyond these two patterns; Perhaps more important than structure per se is the degree of parental involvement; and The African American family institution is extremely resilient.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Hispanic American Families The Hispanic American population includes people of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, South and Central American, and Spanish origin. The Hispanic American population is the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority population in the U.S.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Common Characteristics of Hispanic American Families Collectivism/communalism—The incorporation of friends and extended family members into the lives of parents and children (compadrazgo) Familism—High levels of obligation and responsibility to family members Patriarchy—Emphasis on male leadership (machismo) and female subordination (marianism)

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Socioeconomic Context Socioeconomic conditions vary widely between Hispanic groups –Cubans are best off financially –Puerto Ricans and Mexican Americans have higher rates of poverty

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Patterns of Hispanic Family Life Hispanic families fall between Blacks and Whites in percentages of both married couple and single parent families. Female-headed families are more likely to be poor. Male-female roles are changing. Levels of extended family integration are higher than for White Americans.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Asian American Families Chinese Filipino Asian Indian Vietnamese Korean Hawaiian Samoan Japanese Thai Laotian Cambodian Hmong Guamanian

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Historical and Socioeconomic Context Compared to White non-Hispanics, Asian Americans as a group are younger, better educated, and have higher median family incomes. Within this group there are substantial differences in ancestry, language, culture, immigration, and residence patterns.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Marital/Family Patterns Asian American Families are Characterized by: –High Marriage Rates –Low Divorce Rates –Strong Kinship Associations –Care of the Elderly –Children who Tend Toward Cultural Assimilation

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Native American Families Hundreds of Distinct Tribes or Nations Over Half Live on Tribal Designated Areas, Reservations, or Trust Lands Increased Numbers of Native Americans Because of: –Rising Birth Rates –Reduced Infant Mortality –More People Identifying as Native American

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Historical Context Native Americans were the most disrupted of any minority group in the United States because: –Tribal lands were forcibly taken and others franchised to Christian groups for proselytizing; –Educational systems were designed to separate children from families and instill non-native values; and –The federal government attempted to break up tribal landholdings and turn Native Americans into individual landowners and taxpayers.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Socioeconomic Context Lower median age Shorter life expectancy Low educational achievement Under- and unemployment Poor housing conditions

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Marital/Family Patterns Low Marriage Rates High Rates of Interracial Marriage Strong Kinship Ties Extended Family Support Networks Less Rigid Gender Roles High Status for Elders