NCJ Number
58997
Journal
American Sociological Review Volume: 44 Issue: 3 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 367-391
Date Published
1979
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THE AIM OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO GAUGE THE NATIONAL-LEVEL IMPACT OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) LAWS ON THE INCOMES OF WOMEN AND NONWHITES RELATIVE TO THOSE OF WHITE MEN.
Abstract
THE FOCUS OF THE ARTICLE IS ON THE FOUR LAWS MOST DIRECTLY RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE--THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AND THE 1972 LAWS AMENDING EACH OF THEM. THE ANALYSIS DIFFERS FROM OTHERS PUBLISHED ON THE SUBJECT BY COMPARING ALL GROUPS WITH WHITE MEN, INCLUDING CHANGES IN ATTITUDES IN THE ANALYSIS, AND BY DEALING IN DETAIL WITH ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS. THE MODEL DEVELOPED IS SEEN TO WORK WELL WHEN USED TO EXAMINE INCREASES IN THE NONWHITE INCOME, BUT DOES NOT DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE INCOME OF WHITE WOMEN. THE ARTICLE ARGUES FOR THE INCLUSION OF CHANGES IN ATTITUDES IN THE STUDY OF ALTERATIONS IN THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF WOMEN AND NONWHITES. IT STRESSES THAT THERE SHOULD BE REALISM IN THE EXAMINATION OF THE EEO LAW'S IMPACT AND THAT THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF ALL GROUPS PROTECTED BY EEO LEGISLATION SHOULD BE COMPARED WITH THE STATUS OF WHITE MEN AS A CRITERION GROUP. THE STUDY FOUND THAT ALTHOUGH NONWHITE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE MADE MAJOR GAINS RELATIVE TO WHITE MEN IN RECENT YEARS, THE INCOME GAPS ARE STILL VERY LARGE. THE GAINS HAVE ALSO BEEN VERY EASY ONES, INVOLVING THE MOST BLATANT FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION. AS DISCRIMINATION BECOMES MORE SUBTLE AND AS STRUCTURAL DISCRIMINATION BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT, FURTHER GAINS WILL BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE. EXTENSIVE TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)