Working But Poor: Racial Differences in Underemployment and Economic Hardship

• In Event: 2166 - Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 15: Race & Economics

Abstract

Abstract

Underemployment is a labor force concept that refers broadly to inadequacies in employment. Little is known about the consequences of underemployment on the financial and material well-being of those who find themselves underemployed. Using data from the 1991 and 2004 General Social Surveys, this paper focuses on the economic and material hardships faced by African Americans and whites underemployment statuses. It examines the linkages among race, underemployment types, and bankruptcy and property loss, housing problems, material deprivation, and other types of personal financial devastation. Preliminary results suggest that underemployment status and economic hardships are both impacted by race. African Americans were generally more likely than their white male counterparts to experience underemployment as well as devastating personal and economic hardships.

Authors

• Melvin E. Thomas, North Carolina State University

• Hayward Derrick Horton, SUNY-Albany

• Loren Henderson, University of Maryland-Baltimore County