1. 1 Concepts and Measures of Race and Ethnicity: Glimpses from the UW-BHS Charles Hirschman & Anthony Daniel Perez CSDE Seminar October 19, 2007

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3. 3 Simple Conceptual Model ANCESTRY IDENTITY Assumed Cause Inference

4. 4 ANCESTRY Physical Appearance IDENTITY Reflected Appearance Group History Historical Model of the Evolution of Ethnic Identities Culture & Language Community Attachment & Participation Family Socialization Collective Memory

5. 5 Challenges of Measuring Race/Ethnicity Number & meaning of categories change Number & meaning of categories change Nations = races in 19 th c (Irish, Chinese etc)Nations = races in 19 th c (Irish, Chinese etc) Social groups w/shared ancestry in 20 th cSocial groups w/shared ancestry in 20 th c May change again in 21 stMay change again in 21 st “Identity” largely subjective “Identity” largely subjective People with shared ancestry and phenotype can respond differentlyPeople with shared ancestry and phenotype can respond differently May not see themselves as others see themMay not see themselves as others see them Mode of data collection, write-in categories, examples affect reporting Mode of data collection, write-in categories, examples affect reporting

6. 6 Statistical Directive No. 15 (1977): “Race and Ethnic Standards for Federal Statistics and Administrative Reporting” “these classifications should not be interpreted as being scientific or anthropological in nature, nor should they be viewed as determinants of eligibility for participation in any Federal program.” “persons with mixed ancestry or origins should be classified in “the category, which most closely reflects the individual’s recognition in his community.” Race: White Black American Indian or Alaska Native Asian/Pacific Islander Ethnicity: Hispanic Non-Hispanic

7. 7 1997 Revision of OMB 15 Political Pressures for Recognition Political Pressures for Recognition Peoples from the Middle EastPeoples from the Middle East NHOPI (Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander)NHOPI (Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) Multiracial identities:Multiracial identities: select one or more races select one or more races Hispanic/Latino/Spanish Origin Hispanic/Latino/Spanish Origin Still separate questionStill separate question

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9. 9 Racial Composition of the Total and Hispanic Populations

10. 10 Racial Composition of the Total and Hispanic Populations

11. 11 Current and Planned Measures in the UW-BHS Standard Census items Standard Census items RaceRace Hispanic OriginHispanic Origin Open ended Ancestry questionOpen ended Ancestry question Additional items Additional items Best Race/Ethnic IdentityBest Race/Ethnic Identity Reflected Race/EthnicityReflected Race/Ethnicity Parental Birthplace and AncestryParental Birthplace and Ancestry Administrative Race/EthnicityAdministrative Race/Ethnicity Observed race (and other attributes) forthcoming Observed race (and other attributes) forthcoming

12. 12 Census Ancestry Best Race/Ethnic Identity Reflected Race/Ethnicity

13. 13 Responses to the Census Race Question BHS High School Seniors: 2000-2005

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16. 16 Examples of Write In Responses Possible to Recode Irish, ItalianIrish, Italian Nigerian, JamaicanNigerian, Jamaican Identities Beyond Standard Categories Azorean, Trinidadian, CreoleAzorean, Trinidadian, Creole Aztec/MayanAztec/Mayan JewishJewish Mexican/other Hispanic write-ins to the “Race” questionMexican/other Hispanic write-ins to the “Race” question Non-Response, but Important Data AMERICAN, FROM MARS, HEINZ 57, HUMAN RACEAMERICAN, FROM MARS, HEINZ 57, HUMAN RACE THE 2 MILE IS MY RACETHE 2 MILE IS MY RACE STOP ATTACHING RACE TO HOW A PERSON THINKS, SICKOSSTOP ATTACHING RACE TO HOW A PERSON THINKS, SICKOS

17. 17 Distribution of Mentioned Races

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19. 19 What Races are Most Likely to be Mentioned in Combination with Other Races?

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24. 24 Conclusions Race/ethnicity is a multidimensional characteristic Race/ethnicity is a multidimensional characteristic similar to ethnicitysimilar to ethnicity Contingent on many factorsContingent on many factors Objectives are to measure: Objectives are to measure: Linkages among identitiesLinkages among identities How identities are socially determinedHow identities are socially determined How identities shape other dimensions of young adulthoodHow identities shape other dimensions of young adulthood