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Long-run convergence of ethnic skill differentials, revisited
1Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, 79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. Gborjas@harvard.edu
Demography
|August 29, 2001
Summary
Ethnic skill differentials from the Great Migration persist across generations. A reanalysis of data confirms a strong link between first and third-generation skills, challenging prior conclusions.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Demography
- Ethnic Studies
Background:
- The Great Migration significantly impacted ethnic skill differentials.
- Previous research suggested these differentials diminish by the third generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine the persistence of ethnic skill differentials across generations.
- To address critiques regarding conceptual and data issues in prior analyses.
Main Methods:
- Reanalysis of data used by Alba, Lutz, and Vesselinov.
- Statistical examination of the correlation between first and third-generation skills.
Main Results:
- A robust correlation between the skills of immigrant (first) generation and their third-generation descendants was identified.
- The identified link is stronger than initially reported by Alba et al.
Conclusions:
- Ethnic skill differentials demonstrate remarkable persistence across multiple generations.
- Findings challenge the notion of rapid skill convergence among ethnic groups post-migration.
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