Racial job segregation

1999
united states

Racial job segregation refers to the practice of dividing the workforce based on racial lines, often by restricting certain job opportunities to specific racial groups. This can occur through formal policies or informal practices that limit or exclude certain racial groups from certain occupations or industries.

Historically, racial job segregation has been prevalent in many societies, especially during periods of legalized discrimination such as Jim Crow laws in the United States or apartheid in South Africa. These policies enforced strict racial divisions in the workforce, with certain jobs reserved for white individuals and others limited to racial minorities.

While overt racial job segregation has become less prevalent due to legal and societal changes, some studies suggest that racial disparities still persist in the labor market. Factors such as discrimination, bias, lack of access to education and training, and social networks can contribute to the perpetuation of racial job segregation.

Addressing racial job segregation often requires comprehensive efforts, including anti-discrimination laws and policies, diversity and inclusion initiatives in workplaces, equitable access to education and training, and targeting systemic barriers that contribute to racial disparities.

Further reading

Mason P.L. (1999) "Male interracial wage differentials: Competing explanations", Cambridge Journal of Economics, 23(3), pp. 261-299. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/cje/23.3.261