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The Intersection and Accumulation of Racial and Gender Inequality: Black Women's Wealth Trajectories

Publication ,  Journal Article
Brown, T
Published in: Review of Black Political Economy
January 1, 2012

Prior research has found evidence of large racial and gender disparities in wealth, with blacks possessing less wealth than whites and women having less wealth than men. An intersectionality approach suggests that the overlapping impacts of racial and gender domination are likely to combine in a multiplicative fashion that places black women in a uniquely precarious economic position. However, little is known about the wealth holdings of black women and even less is known about whether their wealth increases, decreases or remains stable as they approach retirement age, a stage of life when savings are especially important. This study utilizes seven waves of panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and growth curve models to estimate the wealth trajectories of black women between the ages of 51 and 73. Results reveal that black women have especially low levels of net worth and net financial assets during middle and late life, suggesting high risk of economic insecurity in later life. Consistent with political economy and intersectionality perspectives, their persistently low wealth trajectories are likely the result of state policies, discrimination, residential segregation and health disparities. Ameliorative policy prescriptions are discussed. © 2011 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC.

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Published In

Review of Black Political Economy

DOI

ISSN

0034-6446

Publication Date

January 1, 2012

Volume

39

Issue

2

Start / End Page

239 / 258

Related Subject Headings

  • Economics
  • 4404 Development studies
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1402 Applied Economics
 

Citation

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Brown, T. (2012). The Intersection and Accumulation of Racial and Gender Inequality: Black Women's Wealth Trajectories. Review of Black Political Economy, 39(2), 239–258. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12114-011-9100-8
Brown, T. “The Intersection and Accumulation of Racial and Gender Inequality: Black Women's Wealth Trajectories.” Review of Black Political Economy 39, no. 2 (January 1, 2012): 239–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12114-011-9100-8.
Brown T. The Intersection and Accumulation of Racial and Gender Inequality: Black Women's Wealth Trajectories. Review of Black Political Economy. 2012 Jan 1;39(2):239–58.
Brown, T. “The Intersection and Accumulation of Racial and Gender Inequality: Black Women's Wealth Trajectories.” Review of Black Political Economy, vol. 39, no. 2, Jan. 2012, pp. 239–58. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s12114-011-9100-8.
Brown T. The Intersection and Accumulation of Racial and Gender Inequality: Black Women's Wealth Trajectories. Review of Black Political Economy. 2012 Jan 1;39(2):239–258.
Journal cover image

Published In

Review of Black Political Economy

DOI

ISSN

0034-6446

Publication Date

January 1, 2012

Volume

39

Issue

2

Start / End Page

239 / 258

Related Subject Headings

  • Economics
  • 4404 Development studies
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1402 Applied Economics