The Evolution of Occupational Segregation in the United States, 1940-2010: Gains and Losses of Gender-Race/Ethnicity Groups

Type Journal Article - Demography
Title The Evolution of Occupational Segregation in the United States, 1940-2010: Gains and Losses of Gender-Race/Ethnicity Groups
Author(s)
Volume 52
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 967-988
URL https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Olga_Alonso-Villar/publication/276064356_The_Evolution_of_Occup​ational_Segregation_in_the_United_States_1940-2010_Gains_and_Losses_of_Gender-RaceEthnicity_Groups/l​inks/55891d7708aed6bff80b347a.pdf
Abstract
The aim of this paper is twofold: a) to explore the evolution of occupational segregation
of women and men of different racial/ethnic groups in the U. S. during the period 1940-
2010 and b) to assess the consequences of segregation for each of them. For that
purpose, this paper proposes a simple index that measures the monetary loss or gain of a
group derived from its overrepresentation in some occupations and underrepresentation
in others. This index has a clear economic interpretation. It represents the per capita
advantage (if the index is positive) or disadvantage (if it is negative) of the group,
derived from its segregation, as a proportion of the average wage of the economy. Our
index is a helpful tool not only for academics but also for institutions concerned with
inequalities among demographic groups because it makes it possible to rank them
according to their segregation nature.

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