Hello Dr. Chapman and Classmates,

Reviewing the Census for 2020 on Educational Attainment had quite a lot of information on gender, race/ethnicity and education level. To answer this question I mainly set my focus on the numbers surrounding high school graduation although the numbers seem to indicate a pattern for higher education as well.

A great breakdown on intersectionality can be read and understood from this following link: https://haenfler.sites.grinnell.edu/subcultural-theory-and-theorists/intersectionality/ I believe there is a lot of beneficial information you might find through this page.

After examining the information provided on census.gov, I can draw the conclusion that with regards to intersectionality, the overlapping of race and gender do play a role in educational attainment. Among Black, and Hispanic race/ethnicity male students 18 or older have a higher rate of high school completion than their female classmates in the same age group. Conversely, Asian females hold a higher rate of high school completion versus Asian males.

It seems like that White and Non-White Hispanics 18+ students have rates of high school completion that triple minority students rates in the same age group.

Unfortunately these numbers paint a very clear picture that there is not equal opportunity across the board for all students to further their education. Students belonging to minority groups by race are less likely to complete high school versus their white/non-hispanic white classmates. I think all social structures in place such as class, gender, age and race/ethnicity affect opportunity. Although not previously discussed by me, with regards to age and higher education, older minority citizens have among the lowest rates of higher education. White and Non-White Hispanic citizens again, almost triple those rates among the same age group and education level.

What are your thoughts class?

Respectfully,

Stephanie

Dr. Chapman and Class,

After reviewing the latest Census data on the census.gov website I was able to conclude that African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos have a much lower bachelor degree attainment rate than Caucasian Americans (McElrath, & Martin, 2021). For example, the census data and article explained that “respondents identifying as Black alone, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, and Some Other Race alone all saw the percentage of people with bachelor’s degrees expand by 20 percent or more” and that “Hispanics or Latinos (of any race) and those identifying as Two or More Races had bachelor’s degree attainment increase by 30 percent or more from 2005– 2009 to 2015–2019” (McElrath, & Martin, 2021, Para. National Findings). Although this 30 percent increase in bachelor attainment for students age 25 is great there is still much work to do. For example, race groups that began with relatively high levels of educational attainment (e.g. Asian alone, White alone, and non-Hispanic White) experienced greater percentage-point increases than race groups with lower rates of bachelor’s degree attainment in the first 5-year estimate (McElrath & Martin, 2021).

Although the United States has sustained inequality from within, there is much work being done to move towards greater social equality in the Nation. One such societal institution that has moved in the right direction is our government as it looks to equally allow those inspiring to go to college, such as affirmative action. However, there is much debate on whether or not this law has helped or made things worst. Very stimulating question. Thoughts are extremely welcome.

Blessings,

Francisco