Assessing the Racial Identities of Latinos and South Americans in the United States

• In Event: 566 - Section on Latino/a Sociology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 04. Latina/os in Latin America

Abstract

Latinos’ racial identities are important in revealing the current state of racial structures given that Latinos are the largest minority group and the largest immigrant group. In particular, it is important to examine the experiences of South Americans since they are one of the fastest growing Latino groups in the US and an understudied group. Assimilation theories provide a framework to address the integration into racial groups and the racial identities of Latinos. To explore the racial identities of Latinos/as of South American origin, the 2007-2011 American Community Survey is used. The study also explores the effects of the interaction of gender and generational status on racial identities. The models found that racial identity varies by Latino group, gender, generation status, region, citizenship status, socioeconomic status, marital status, language, age, and household variables. While racial identities varies compared to Latino groups, South Americans are more likely to identify as White. The study also has conflicting findings on the effects of gender and generational status on racial identities. These findings reveal that the heterogeneous social location of South Americans impact their racial identities and reveal that racial boundaries and structures are dynamic and intersect with other structures of power.

Author

• Dana Chalupa, Michigan State University