Social Forces
Volume 94, Issue 3, 2016, Pages 1153-1186
Skin tone, race/ethnicity, and wealth inequality among new immigrants (Article)
Painter M.A., II ,
Holmes M.D. ,
Bateman J.
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a
University of Wyoming, United States
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b
University of Wyoming, United States
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c
University of Wyoming, United States
Abstract
Immigrants' racial/ethnic status has profound implications for their lives in the United States, including its influence on their ability to improve their financial well-being. We examine a particular type of financial well-being-wealth or net worth-and consider how both skin tone and race/ethnicity contribute to wealth inequality. To assess these dual influences, we use the New Immigrant Survey and the recently developed preference for whiteness hypothesis to argue that darker-skinned immigrants will have lower levels of wealth and will be less likely to own certain assets. Results generally support the hypothesis with the strongest evidence apparent in the full sample and among Asian immigrants. Overall, the results illuminate how immigrants with a racial/ethnic minority status and a darker complexion encounter multiple forms of disadvantage relative to white and/or lighter-skinned immigrants. © The Author 2015.
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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84959927491&doi=10.1093%2fsf%2fsov094&partnerID=40&md5=dadc3fea7f5539e1259ed933b9ae7d7a
DOI: 10.1093/sf/sov094
ISSN: 00377732
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English