Immigration, Gender, and the Labor Market: 1970-2003

New immigrants to the United States bring with them new attitudes about gender roles and the division of labor within the family. Though these cultural differences may translate into new patterns of workforce participation for men and women, until now little research has focused on gender differences in outcomes and rates of assimilation.

With an award from the Foundation, Francine Blau and Lawrence Kahn of Cornell University will study how labor market assimilation patterns vary between male and female U.S. immigrants from different countries, as well as the consequences of such differences for employment and wages. They will use 2000 Census micro data in addition to information from the Current Population Survey and the Immigration and Naturalization Service to assess the influence of an immigrant's country of origin (especially that nation's attitude about gender roles) and individual characteristics (like employment histories and arrival dates) on patterns of labor force participation. This information will then be used to evaluate and contrast the behavior of immigrants, their children and native-born citizens by gender. Finally, Blau and Kahn will examine how the labor force participation of immigrant men and women changes across time and generations. Understanding these patterns will help reveal whether today's immigrants are exhibiting patterns similar to those of previous immigrants or charting a new course.

Reports and Publications

• Blau, Francine and Lawrence Kahn, "Gender and Assimilation Among Mexican Americans," in Mexican Immigration to the United States, ed. George Borjas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.