Class, Race, and Families Defining social class Income distribution and economic restructuring Poverty Race, ethnicity, and class Main points on selected racial-ethnic groups Hispanics African Americans Asians

Class: relationship to means of production (economic, power) Status: common lifestyle and identity (social, prestige) Defining Social Class

Rich get richer; middle, working, and lower classes get poorer:

Economic Restructuring (1970’s and beyond) Technological changes –New jobs and skills –Workers replaced with machines Loss of skilled and semi-skilled jobs to developing countries – “outsourcing”

Without college = Low paying jobs: service and unskilled Nonstandard employment = contingency workers; no security, benefits Stagnating wages, esp. men Entry-level jobs hardest hit Housing prices rise Economic Restructuring

Income advantage for married couples; growing disadvantage for single mothers:

Racial-Ethnic Group Race = genetic Ethnicity = cultural Racial-ethnic group = elements of both Related to class: involves economics, status, power

Race gaps in income and net worth:

Race gaps in assets owned:

Puerto Ricans U.S. Citizens (47% live here) Most economically disadvantaged Hispanic group Highest unemployment High rate of informal marriage - related to men’s deteriorating employment

Cuban American families First came to US to escape Castro Most were upper/middle class, educated Welcomed by US Immigrant enclaves – preserved own culture; mutual support Supported each other; built businesses; enjoyed some financial success 2nd wave (1980’s “), boat people:” thought to be “undesirables” (not true)

The stereotype: Unmarried mother & kids, female kinship, on welfare The reality: –69% of children born to unmarried moms (27% of whites) –56% of households headed by women (22% of whites) –22% live in poverty (7% of whites) African American Families

African American Families: 2 Recent Trends Decline in marriage Rise of middle class

Explaining the decline I. Economics: Black women consider economics in decision to marry 1990’s: young Black men had high rates of: –Unemployment –Dropping out of school –Violent crime, imprisonment –Drug addiction Result: fewer “eligible” men

Explaining the decline II. Cultural response to economic probs. African traditions: –Reliance on large kin networks –Cooperation and sharing –Less emphasis on formal marriage –Marriage after children “Fathers” vs. “Daddies”

Since 1960’s Opportunities for education Expansion of service sector Incomes still lower than whites Assets MUCH lower than whites –Less likely to inherit wealth, own a home Rise of Black Middle Class

Generally: prosperous group - pool economic resources, emphasize family loyalty and honor Very different experiences among different groups and generations –Later SE Asians less likely to prosper Fewer skills Less assistance Poor economy on arrival Asian American Families