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Migration and spatial assimilation among U.S. Latinos: classical versus segmented trajectories.
Scott J South1, Kyle Crowder, Erick Chavez
1Department of Sociology and Center for Social and Demographic Analysis, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA. s.south@albany.edu
Demography
|October 21, 2005
Summary
Latino residential mobility to White neighborhoods increases with socioeconomic factors. However, ethnic group, generation, and skin color influence this process, supporting segmented assimilation theory.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
- Demography
Background:
- Spatial assimilation theory posits that ethnic minorities move to White neighborhoods as they gain resources.
- Segmented assimilation theory suggests diverse incorporation paths for immigrants and their descendants.
- Understanding Latino residential mobility is crucial for analyzing ethnic group incorporation in the U.S.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine patterns and determinants of residential mobility among Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban residents in the U.S. from 1990-1995.
- To test the applicability of spatial assimilation and segmented assimilation theories to Latino residential mobility.
- To identify how individual and group characteristics influence movement into predominantly White (Anglo) neighborhoods.
Main Methods:
- Utilized merged data from the Latino National Political Survey, Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and U.S. census.
- Analyzed interneighborhood residential mobility for 2,074 Latino residents (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban).
- Employed regression analyses to assess the impact of human capital, financial capital, English proficiency, ethnicity, generation, and skin color on residential patterns.
Main Results:
- Residential mobility into Anglo neighborhoods increased with human capital, financial capital, and English proficiency, supporting spatial assimilation.
- Puerto Ricans were less likely than Mexicans to move into Anglo neighborhoods, independent of controls.
- Generational and socioeconomic assimilation effects were stronger for Mexicans than for Puerto Ricans or Cubans.
- Darker skin color significantly inhibited mobility into Anglo neighborhoods for Puerto Ricans and Cubans.
Conclusions:
- Latino residential mobility is influenced by factors described in spatial assimilation theory, but with significant variations.
- The findings support segmented assimilation theory by highlighting divergent mobility patterns among different Latino subgroups.
- Ethnicity, generation, socioeconomic status, and skin color interact to shape the residential incorporation of Latinos into U.S. neighborhoods.