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Chapter Five

Race, Ethnicity, and Families

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Racial-Ethnic Groups Racial groups groups with a

common set of physical features that distinguishes them from others Vary from country to country and over

time Ethnic groups groups that think of

themselves as distinct from others by virtue of common ancestry and shared culture

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Racial-ethnic term reflects elements of racial and ethnic groups-- recognizes overlap and ambiguity of terms Social creation, which reflects cultural

norms, social inequality and political power

Racial-Ethnic Groups

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Great differences in family structure by racial ethnic groups Whites African Americans Hispanics Asian Americans

Racial-Ethnic Groups

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Decline of marriage Fewer young women who will ever

marry 64% in 1990s (88% in 1950s)

Large percentage of children born out of wedlock

69% in 1998 (38% in 1970) Family households headed by one

parent increased 58% in 1998 (33% in 1970)

African-American Families

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Union formation - first unions formed are twice as likely to be cohabitations as for whites

The Impact of Economics More likely to weigh economic

considerations Effects of availability of welfare on

choice to marry

African-American Families

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Shortage of employed African-American men

For every 3 unmarried women, only 1 man has a job

Society-wide economic restructuring

Jobs eliminated in central city areas and manufacturing areas

African-American Families

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African-American menHigh school drop out rates highEffects of violence and drugs

High rate of imprisonment High homicide rates Many in mental hospitals due to drug

addiction or alcoholism

African-American Families

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Impact of culture Families twice as likely as other

groups to have a grandparent or other kin living with them

Grandparents play a stronger role in families

African-American Families

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Women-centered kinship ties and network

Network of kin ties more important than marital ties

Support of children important Daddy (provides support) vs. Father (biological father)

Female-centered networks ease the hardship of persistent poverty

African-American Families

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Explaining decline of marriage in group No consensus Changes in economy important Society-wide shift in values and labor

market damaging to African Americans

African-American Families

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Rise of Middle-Class Families Some manage to escape poverty Educational statistics show great

improvement Hold on middle class precarious due to

fewer assets than whites Assistance from kin helps them to

become upwardly mobile

African-American Families

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Hispanic Families As much variation within the group as

between Hispanics and other groups Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans,

Puerto Ricans = 31.3 million people Mexicans and Mexican Americans = 65% Central and South Americans = 14% Puerto Rican = 10% Cuban Americans = 4%

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Higher birthrate than any other racial-ethnic group TFR (total fertility rate)

Marry at a younger age Multigenerational norm Kinship ties very strong Larger families are marriage-based

Mexican-American Families

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Mexican-American Families

Changes in lives of Mexican American women Large labor force participation (53%) Traditional gender role views still held

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Puerto Rican Families U.S. Citizens (44% live in U.S.) Most economically disadvantaged of

Hispanic groups (27% below poverty) Highest unemployment levels and

lowest labor force participation High rates of informal marriage

consensual union

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2nd to African-Americans in out of wedlock children

Birth of child defines whether woman defines union as cohabitation or consensual

Socially recognized unions Cohabitation = living together Consensual = cohabitating, couples consider

themselves married, but no formal vows Marriage = union with formal vows

Puerto Rican Families

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Cuban-American Families First wave immigrated for political

asylum Mariel refugees = 2nd wave,

discrimination from first group Most prosperous of Hispanic groups Entrepreneurs high number of

business owners

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Most early immigrants settled in Miami

Lived within immigrant enclave

Families more likely to be headed by married couple than any other Hispanic group

Conjugal families help businesses

Cuban-American Families

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Emphasize interdependence among kin more than Western cultures

Prosperous group pool economic resources Some like later Vietnamese

immigrants are less likely to prosper

fewer skills received less assistance poor economy on arrival

Asian-American Families

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Traditional patterns may not survive through subsequent generations more egalitarian relationships rates of interracial marriage have

increased substantially

Asian-American Families

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Social Capital and Immigrant Families

Social capital resources that a person can access

through his or her relationship with other people

links to an immigrant community is an asset

use for support to start businesses

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Kinship networks important for identity and resources

43% live on or near tribal lands Numbers increased due to

intermarriages and claiming ancestry

American Indian Families

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Economically disadvantaged Median income comparable to African

Americans Substantial number of families

headed by women 31% headed by unmarried women

American Indian Families

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Race, Ethnicity, and Kinship Family ties central to success Substantial differences among and

between groups Family ties provide critical

assistance to start new businesses

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Cultural differences reflected in kinship forms Immigrant entrepreneurs utilize

marriage-centered kin Women-centered kin networks require

sharing of resources

Race, Ethnicity, and Kinship