Discrimination and Its Socioeconomic Impact on Crime

In a just society, factors like gender, nationality, skin colour, sexual orientation, or religion should not influence an individual’s interactions with the justice system. We should strive towards a world where these attributes are irrelevant in legal and social contexts.

However, the socioeconomic disparities among racial and ethnic groups are well-documented, indicating that we have yet to reach this ideal. While the complete picture is complex, many of these disparities can be attributed to a lack of social resources, cultural barriers, and discriminatory practices in the labour market. These differences in socioeconomic status can, in turn, increase the likelihood of marginalized groups turning to crime as a survival strategy.

To understand the roots of these issues, social scientists have employed various methodologies to investigate biases in the labour market. One notable study by Pager and Shepherd has examined racial discrimination in hiring practices. By submitting fictitious resumes with names suggestive of different racial backgrounds, they found that candidates with less “white-sounding” names were less likely to receive callbacks. This study highlights the persistence of racial bias in employment, reinforcing the need for ongoing research into these inequities.

While some of these forms of discrimination are already widely recognized, empirical evidence is crucial to support policy changes. This underscores the importance of research efforts like this project in identifying and addressing the socioeconomic barriers faced by marginalized communities.

Article provided by ReadLab

References:

Heath, A., Rothon, C., & Kilpi, E. (2008). The second generation in Western Europe: Education, unemployment, and occupational attainment. Annual Review of Sociology, 34(1), 211-235.

Dancygier, R. M., & Laitin, D. D. (2014). Immigration into Europe: Economic discrimination, violence, and public policy. Annual Review of Political Science, 17, 43-64.

Pager D., Shepherd H. 2008. “The Sociology of Discrimination: Racial Discrimination in Employment, Housing, Credit, and Consumer Markets.” Annual Review of Sociology 34: 181–209.

Lancee B. 2010. “The Economic Returns of Immigrants’ Bonding and Bridging Social Capital: The Case of the Netherlands.” International Migration Review 44(1): 202–26