Chapter 6 Race and Ethnicity. Frameworks for Defining Minority Experience in the United States...

Chapter 6

Race and Ethnicity

Frameworks for Defining Minority Experience in the United States

• Melting Pot– Taking in people from around the world and

turning them into Americans• Assimilation

• Pluralistic Society– Many racial and ethnic groups exist side by

side

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Figure 6.1 Population of the U.S. by Racial and Ethnic Group, 2005


Figure 6.2 Racial and Ethnic Composition of the Population 65+


Figure 6.3 Percentage of a Group with Income from a Specified Source


Figure 6.4 Median Income by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2008


Figure 6.5 Respondent-Assessed Health Status


Figure 6.6 Proportion of Minorities in the U.S. Population Age 65+ 2010–50


Whites – The Dominant Group

• Variety of European ethnic origins

• Long history of settlement in USA

• More formal education, lower rates of poverty

• Make more use of formal support systems– Most programs originally designed for this

group


Diversity of the Minority Population

• Differences in – Mortality; Fertility; Migration

• Subgroups differ in: – demography– cultural background– reasons they came to the US– how they came to the US


Figure 6.7 Subgroups within the Hispanic U.S. Older Population (65+)


Figure 6.8 Percent Age 65+ by Race and Hispanic Origin for the US


The Aging of the Minority Population

• Minority population in US is aging along with general population aging

• Overall all aged 85+ will increase 4-fold by 2050

• All older minority groups expected to increase


Three Theories on Minority Group Aging

• Multiple Jeopardy

• Critique of Multiple Jeopardy Theory

• Leveling

• The Life Course Perspective

• Institutional Completeness: An Example of Life Course Differences

• Structured Inequality and Personal History


Theories of Minority Group AgingThe Life Course Perspective

• Life unfolds from birth to death in three contexts: Social; Cultural; Historical

• Differences between:– Minority groups– Cultural subgroups within minority groups– Age cohorts among minority group members

• Looks for continuities and discontinuities


A Look at Four Minority GroupsAfrican Americans

• Health– Worse than Whites on most measures– Greater risks of

• heart disease• cancer• cerebrovascular disease• diabetes



• Health

• Income

• Family & Community Life– Problem view; Adaptive view

• Social Support

• African American Men



• The Future of African American Aging– May have fewer family resources for care– Fewer men in later life due to high mortality of

younger men– Wider gap in socioeconomic experiences

between poor/middle class African Americans


Table 6.1 Older People Below Poverty by Age & Race/Ethnicity


Figure 6.9 Profile of the Elderly Poor, 2007


Figure 6.10 Percent Hispanic for the Older Population


A Look at Four Minority GroupsHispanic Americans

• Health– Lower death rates than whites of some

diseases– Greater rates of some diseases and

conditions than Whites or African Americans– More likely than whites to have “accelerated

aging”



• Income– Lower than African Americans or Whites– Consistent picture of low SES and inadequate

financial resources– Lifelong history of low paying jobs– SSI main source of income for 1 in 5– Poverty



• Family & Community Life– Cultural background supports

multigenerational living arrangements• Especially if migrant

– Subgroup differences in types of support to and from family and community



• The Future of Hispanic American Aging– Diverse cultural subgroups will continue to

experience differences in proximity to support– Urban older adults may have more formal

supports, rural may rely on informal supports– Service providers must shape programs to

meet subgroup needs


A Look at Four Minority GroupsAsian Americans

• Health– Generally good health

• Subgroups affected by different illnesses

– Few studies of older Asian American health care needs

• Need more from these groups in research samples

– More than 20 different ethnicities


A Look at Four Minority GroupsAsian Americans

• Income and Poverty– Highest economic status of any minority

group

• Family and Community Life– Most come from traditions that respect older

people– Often do give a great deal of care



• The Future of Asian American Aging– Grown faster than any other minority since

1970– Language and cultural barriers keep some

from needed help– Social services agencies should recruit Asian

American workers


A Look at Four Minority GroupsAmerican Indians & Alaskan Natives

• Health and Income– Poor health– Greatest likelihood of lifetime health problems– Lower than other US populations– 60% of American Indians worry about the cost

of basic items


A Look at Four Minority GroupsAmerican Indians & Alaskan Natives

• Family & Community Life– Grandparenting– Eldercare

• The Future of American Indian Aging– The “Paradox of Aging”– Indian Health Service must improve screening

and culturally appropriate services


Responses to Minority Group Aging

• Minority elders will take a more active role in society in future

• Group associations carry group concerns to govt.

• Challenges for a Diverse Older Population

• Future Issues


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Chapter 6 Race and Ethnicity. Frameworks for Defining Minority Experience in the United States...

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