Structural Stigma and Employment among Deaf Men in Nineteenth Century America

• In Event: 3220 - Disability and Work

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities are less likely to be employed, but it is difficult to document the extent to which structural stigma— meaning, the norms, policies and social conditions that limit the resources and opportunities available to members of stigmatized groups—plays a role. We leverage a unique historical case to examine whether structural stigma affected employment for deaf men in 19th century America. Although deafness was particularly stigmatized in this era, qualitative research identifies three places (“deaf enclaves”) where this stigma was likely reduced. Using data from the 1850 census, we find that deaf men living in these enclaves were more likely to be employed compared to deaf men living elsewhere, whereas enclave residence did not alter hearing men’s employment. The employment boost deaf men received from living in a deaf enclave persists even after controlling for local labor market conditions conducive to deaf men’s employment and the community’s progressive political attitudes. Thus, structural stigma appears to have contributed to employment disparities between deaf and hearing men in 19th century America.

Authors

• Megan Lemmon

• Molly A. Martin, Pennsylvania State University