Racialization and Assimilation: Third Generation Disadvantage Among Mexican Americans

This paper considers assimilation and racialization frameworks, as well as the concept of ethnoracism, for understanding the experiences of Mexican Americans. Prior research has shown that generational differences in education... [ view full abstract ]

This paper considers assimilation and racialization frameworks, as well as the concept of ethnoracism, for understanding the experiences of Mexican Americans. Prior research has shown that generational differences in education and economic outcomes among Mexican Americans do not fit with assimilation theory’s predictions of steady and significant improvement from the second to the third and later generation. Second and third generation Mexican Americans have similar education and economic outcomes and later generation Mexican Americans have less education than Whites. Unfortunately there has been relatively little data with which to document this pattern and to consider economic outcomes in comparisons to Whites. Using a nationally representative sample of young adults (NELS), we examine educational and economic outcomes of second–generation and third-generation Mexican Americans compared to Whites and Blacks. We find that third generation Mexican Americans have lower education and economic levels than Whites and Blacks, even controlling for many key factors. Our findings allow us to weigh into the assimilation versus racialization debate regarding the achievements of Mexican Americans. While assimilation concepts are helpful, our findings suggest Mexican Americans are racialized, consistent with the racialization of ethnicity or ethnoracism.