Falling Behind or Moving Up? The Intergenerational Progress of Mexican Americans

Publication Date: May 2002

Publisher: Public Policy Institute of California

Author(s): Jeffrey Grogger; Stephen J. Trejo

Research Area: Population and demographics

Type: Report

Abstract:

Mexican Americans are one of the most economically disadvantaged groups in the United States, with an average household income that is more than 40 percent below the comparable average for non-Hispanic whites. To shed some light on the current and future economic prospects of Mexican Americans, this study examines the intergenerational progress of Mexican-origin workers in the California and U.S. labor markets, comparing the educational attainment and hourly earnings of whites, blacks, and three generations of Mexican Americans.