The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Attitudes on Hispanic Identity in the U.S

Abstract

I study the determinants of the choice to identify as Hispanic among those who could-those whose parents, grandparents, or selves were born in a Spanish-speaking country. I find that individuals with Hispanic ancestry are significantly less likely to self-identify as Hispanic if they live in states with high levels of bias. A one standard deviation increase in bias decreases selfreported Hispanic identity by 4 percentage points among all Hispanics. These effects are more prominent among second-generation immigrants with both parents born in a Spanish-speaking country than among children of interethnic parents. These findings have implications for the interpretation of research on ethnic gaps in economic outcomes and the correct counting of the population.

Keywords: JEL: I310, J15, J71, Z13 Economics of Minorities, Race, and Immigrants, Discrimination and Prejudice, Stratification Economics

JEL Classification: I310, J15, J71, Z13