Blue collar segregation

1986
united states

Blue collar segregation refers to the practice of separating workers based on their job types, particularly manual labor or low-skilled jobs. This term specifically focuses on the division between white and blue-collar workers. Historically, blue-collar segregation has been prevalent in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and other manual labor-intensive sectors.

Blue-collar segregation can manifest in various ways, including:

1. Economic disparity: Blue-collar workers often face lower wages, fewer benefits, and limited job security compared to white-collar workers.

2. Occupational segregation: Many industries and job roles are predominantly dominated by either white-collar or blue-collar workers. Certain jobs are associated with specific racial or ethnic groups, further contributing to occupational segregation.

3. Geographic segregation: In some cases, blue-collar workers may be concentrated in specific geographic areas or neighborhoods, leading to socio-economic divisions based on job types.

4. Limited social mobility: Blue-collar workers might face barriers to career advancement or upward mobility due to a lack of educational opportunities, skills development, or social networks.

5. Discrimination and bias: Blue-collar workers, particularly those from marginalized communities, may face discrimination based on their job types or wages, perpetuating further segregation and inequality.

Addressing blue-collar segregation requires efforts to promote equal access to education, training, and career development opportunities. Additionally, policies that reduce economic disparities, improve job security, and eliminate discriminatory practices can also help in fostering a more inclusive and equitable workforce.

Further reading

Wharton A.S. (1986) "Industry structure and gender segregation in blue collar occupations", Social Forces, 64(4), pp. 1025-1031. . DOI: 10.1093/sf/64.4.1025