Race and Economic Opportunity in the United States

Vocabulary flashcards based on key findings related to race and economic opportunity, summarizing critical terms and concepts from the lecture.

Hispanic Americans

A group that is moving up in the income distribution across generations.

Black-white income gap

Entirely driven by differences in men’s outcomes, showing significant disparities between black and white men.

Racial disparities

Visible and persistent differences in income and other outcomes based on race.

Intergenerational mobility

The ability for children to improve their economic status compared to their parents.

Environmental factors

Conditions during childhood that have a causal effect on racial disparities, impacting outcomes for black boys.

Father presence

High rates of father presence in black households are associated with better outcomes for black boys.

Upward mobility

The ability to move to a higher income level, often hindered for black and American Indian children.

Census tract

Small geographic areas containing about 4,250 people, used to analyze income disparities.

Single parent households

Families where children are raised by one parent, which have higher occurrences among black children.

Income distribution

The way in which income is spread among various groups in society, often showing disparities among races.

Racial bias

Prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their race, impacting economic outcomes.

Downward mobility

The likelihood of falling to lower income levels, which is prevalent among black and American Indian children.

Neighborhood resources

The quality of local schools and community support, which does not fully account for racial income disparities.

Policy initiatives

Efforts aimed at improving the economic situation of specific racial groups, particularly black men.

Economic opportunity

The chances for families to rise out of poverty and improve their financial situation.