Published In

Sociology Mind

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Subjects

South Asian Americans -- Race identity -- United States, United States -- Race relations, South Asian Americans -- United States -- Social conditions, South Asian Americans -- Ethnic identity

Abstract

Despite numerous studies of second generation minorities in recent years, South Asian Americans have been largely ignored. Using the most recent data available from the US Census Bureau, we investigate the socioeconomic attainments of second generation South Asian Americans. We find that their average levels of education, wages, and occupational attainment exceed those of non-Hispanic whites. Contrary to the “model minority myth” view, second generation South Asian Americans remain slightly advantaged relative to non-Hispanic whites in terms of labor market success net of age, education, and region of residence. These results are also inconsistent with discussions of white privilege that emphasize the socioeconomic disadvantages of minorities with darker skin tones. Our results suggest that theories of race relations should also incorporate South Asian Americans.

Description

Originally published in Sociology Mind, Copyright © 2012 Scientific Research Publishing Inc. May be found at http://www.scirp.org/journal/Home.aspx?JournalID=474.

DOI

10.4236/sm.2012.21003

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/15272

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