NCJ Number
185416
Journal
Social Problems Volume: 47 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2000 Pages: 379-407
Date Published
August 2000
Length
29 pages
Annotation
In an effort to understand neighborhood racial-composition preferences in a multiethnic environment, this analysis introduces an innovation on the original Farley-Schuman show-card methodology, which allows respondents to create neighborhoods with what they consider to be the ideal racial composition.
Abstract
America's major urban centers are becoming increasingly multiethnic. Despite this increase in racial and ethnic diversity, extreme black-white residential segregation remains the common pattern. As one of the most racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse cities in the world, as well as one of the most residentially segregated, Los Angeles reflects the changing face of urban America. In the current study, a multiracial sample of adults (n=4,025) was used to examine neighborhood racial composition preferences, which is an important, individual-level explanation for residential segregation. Three shortcomings in existing research were also addressed. First, the author assessed composition preferences in a multiracial manner with an innovative replication and expansion of the Farley-Schuman show-card methodology used in the 1976 and 1992 Detroit-area studies. Second, the author extended analysis of the cause of preferences beyond racial stereotypes to include parenting, homeownership, perceptions of social class difference, and common-fate identity. Third, the author tested directly the effects of these factors on preferences for same-race neighbors. Results lend strong support to race-based explanations of preferences. As stereotypes of "out-groups" become more negative, preferences for integration decrease; blacks are consistently perceived in negative terms and are, consensually, the least preferred "out-group" neighbors. There is also limited support for so-called class-based explanations of preferences; homeowners prefer fewer black neighbors. Generally, results suggest both greater resistance to integration with blacks than previously thought, but more openness to integration than currently exists. 6 tables, 1 figure, and 74 references