THE CONTINUING SIGNIFICANCE OF RACE IN MINORITY MALE JOBLESSNESS

Using the 1980 census to employ a two-stage estimation procedure in which county-group level estimates of minority employment disadvantage are derived from individual-level data, this research empirically assesses the race, ethnic, and space dimensions to black and Hispanic employment. Results show that a pervasive black disadvantage in employment exists that does not vary greatly by region of the country or between central city and suburban or rural areas. In only several areas is the black disadvantage near zero. By contrast, the labor force behavior of Hispanic males is often quite close to the rates reported by whites, once basic demographics have been considered. The pervasiveness of the black employment disadvantage and ifs striking contrast with Hispanic joblessness suggests that race and ethnicity play a key role in employment outcomes.