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Social distance attitudes, educational mobility, and European ancestry groups in the post‐World‐War II United States

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  • Robert L. Boyd

Abstract

Objective This study examines the improvement of U.S. natives’ social distance attitudes toward Southern, Central, and Eastern (SCE) European ancestry groups in the post‐World‐War II United States, applying the idea that prejudice against these groups was due to racial/ethnic prejudice and social class prejudice. Methods Analyzing data from the Bogardus surveys and other published sources, the study tests the proposition that U.S. natives’ social distance attitudes toward SCE European ancestry groups improved because social class prejudice against these groups diminished as the groups’ educational attainment levels increased from the second‐ to third‐generations. Results Contrary to modernization and classical assimilation theories, the favorable trend in U.S. natives’ social distance attitudes toward SCE European ancestry groups was unaffected by the groups’ intergenerational educational mobility. Conclusion The decline in prejudice against SCE European ancestry groups in the postwar United States resulted from a decrease in racial/ethnic prejudice against these groups, independently of social class prejudice.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert L. Boyd, 2021. "Social distance attitudes, educational mobility, and European ancestry groups in the post‐World‐War II United States," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(6), pages 2985-2995, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:102:y:2021:i:6:p:2985-2995
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13076
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. George J. Borjas, 1994. "Long-Run Convergence of Ethnic Skill Differentials: The Children and Grandchildren of the Great Migration," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 47(4), pages 553-573, July.
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    1. Robert L. Boyd, 2023. "How “Ethnic” Were White Ethnic Neighborhoods? European Ancestry Groups in the Twentieth-Century USA," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1211-1229, September.

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