Examining the Racial Identification of White Latinos: The Role of Acculturation, SES, and Ethnic Identity

• In Event: 566 - Section on Latino/a Sociology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 07. Identities

Abstract

We examine the interaction of racial and ethnic identification among white Latinos, a group that makes up 53% of the Latino population in the U.S. and a growing portion of the white population in the country. Using the 2006 Latino National Survey, we examine how, net of skin color, immigrant status, national-origin, acculturation, and other individual characteristics are associated with Latinos’ self-identification as white. We find that being foreign-born rather than native-born increases Latinos’ odds of identifying as white, but only when an individual has been in the country for 5 years or less. Being proficient in English was associated with lower odds of identifying as white. Regarding SES, we find that higher years of education is associated with higher odds of identifying as white, but only when we control for measures of acculturation. Lastly, respondents’ belief in “Latino” as a distinct racial group and a strong identification with being Latino or of their nation of origin were all associated with lower odds of identifying as white. These preliminary findings support the idea that Latinos’ racial self-identification shifts over time in the U.S., with whiteness becoming less likely of a self-identification as members of this group incorporate into American society.

Authors

• Shantee Rosado, University of Pennsylvania

• Grace Kao, University of Pennsylvania