Intersectionality and Discrimination: An Examination of the U.S. Labor Market

Intersectionality is the idea that social categorizations such as disability, gender identity, nationality, race, and socioeconomic class intersect to create systems of discrimination and disadvantage. This book examines wage discrimination in the U.S. labor market using an intersectional approach, identifying intersectional wage discrimination for multiple worker groups and documenting variation in wage differentials between and within groups.

Format: Hardback
Length: 159 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

In 1989, Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the term "intersectionality" to describe the complex and interconnected systems of discrimination and disadvantage that arise from the interconnected nature of social categorizations. These categories encompass a wide range of factors, including disability, gender identity, nationality, race, and socioeconomic class. Over the past few years, there has been a growing societal interest in the pursuit of equal economic, political, and social rights, which has often manifested as a call for social justice. This book aims to examine a specific aspect of inequality, specifically the prevalence and magnitude of wage discrimination in the U.S. labor market, through an intersectional lens.

Intersectionality is a framework that recognizes the multiple and intersecting dimensions of identity and experiences that shape individuals' lives. It emphasizes the importance of considering how different social categories such as race, gender, class, and sexuality interact and reinforce each other to create unique forms of discrimination and disadvantage.

This book accomplishes several objectives. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive introduction to intersectional analysis for readers who may be unfamiliar with the concept. It explores the ways in which intersectional wage discrimination manifests for a wide range of worker groups defined by multiple intersecting identities, such as Hispanic ethnicity, nativity, race, and sex. The book also documents variation in wage differentials both between worker groups and within groups over time.

Furthermore, given the policy relevance of our topic, the final chapter is devoted to corresponding conclusions. The book offers insights into the potential strategies for addressing intersectional wage discrimination, including policy changes, workplace interventions, and social movements. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of different forms of inequality and working towards a more equitable and just society for all.

In conclusion, this book applies an intersectional approach to examine a specific facet of inequality, namely, the presence and magnitude of wage discrimination in the U.S. labor market. By recognizing the multiple and intersecting dimensions of identity and experiences, it provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of inequality and the pursuit of social justice.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031261244
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023