Occupational Stratifications in Four Southwestern Communities: A Study of Ethnic Differential Employment in Hospitals

Abstract

This report examines the place of Spanish-name personnel in the occupational structure of ten hospitals in four southwestern communities. The report finds that a small number of the Spanish-name population are in high status occupations, a considerable number are in medium status occupations, and as expected the largest number are in low status occupations. Using the employment of these persons in medium and high status occupations as some measure of assimilation, the authors conclude that the predictions of some social scientists, Warner and Srole in particular, concerning the rate of assimilation of this population are too pessimistic. Warner and Srole's prediction failed to take into account such factors as the consequences of World War II, urbanism, population ratios, the influence of the border area, and the potential for mobility provided by religiously-affiliated organizations.