Not that long ago the Federal Reserve put out an article that wasn't too conclusive about the impact of ethnic names on employment opportunities. Does anyone have experience here? Will Keisha get fewer interviews than say Jane Doe for the same job--if they have equal skills? If so why? What conclusions are you making?
2007-03-19 11:44:25 · 14 answers · asked by econgal 5 in Social Science ➔ Economics
Yes. I think all it takes for a biased employer is to see the name Sheniqua or Latrell on an app, and that person will never even get a call. Sadly, they may be more qualified than Tiffany or Josh, but they won't even get the chance to prove it. I always wonder why some people set their kids up for life with unusual names, and I'm talking about white people too. You wouldn't believe the people that put wierd names on YA and then ask us to pick the name the kids will be stuck with throughout life. Employers and others are naturally hesitant to even call people with unusual names, as much for their own fear of embarrassment by mispronouncing it as anything.
2007-03-19 11:56:36 · answer #1 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect Keisha would get fewer job interviews than Jane even if the employer knew both were black. I would like to see the effect that other stereotyped names would have. Would a Buffy, Blossom, Percival, or Mohammad also get fewer interviews than Jane or John?
2007-03-19 12:39:53 · answer #2 · answered by meg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm sure many employers do look at a person's name to see if they are worth hiring. there was an episode of 20/20 a while ago, it showed how the exact same resume under an ethnic name and an American name were treated differently. the man felt that the resume with the american name was better than the other one.
the government can't regulate all these "illegal" actions, so, many employers take advantage of this fact. the world is very prejudice and biased, and stereotypes are everywhere.
2007-03-19 11:54:54 · answer #3 · answered by smartcat3000 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, according to Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner in the book freakonomics, in the final analysis it does not make a differance. I am not an economist so cannot analyze their methodology, but my understanding is that they are well respected in the field, and not just a couple of pop-socialogy writers.
My own opinion is that it makes little differance. If someone is overtly or subconsciously racist, they aren't going to hire or promote the black person anyway. The name is the least of their worries. My own daughter is biracial, and many assume her name is "ethnic" whatever that means, and are surprised to find out it is Greek. Ofcourse this too is "ethnic", but not in the way they expected.
2007-03-19 12:23:18 · answer #4 · answered by Chance20_m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am only going by what I heard on a talk tv show.
A black businessman said that "african" names are usually used by parents who are angry and revolting against society.
He said he will not hire anyone with african names because it is a statement of black power and a refusal to accept society as it is.
He said they tend to be unruly in the workplace as well as unruly in society.
2007-03-19 11:57:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its sad to say, but I think its true. I think a lot of employers get the idea (which is portrayed by the media) of "Shaniqua" being loud and bossy and causing problems and screaming "No you didnt" at people. It sucks and its not fair to the people who do not fit into those stereotypes, but thats what happens. Until black people can be portrayed in the media in a way that doesnt demean them, people are going to believe what they see (in TV shows).
*******
2007-03-19 11:51:38 · answer #6 · answered by PR 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Definitely. There are studies showing that when people were given a random set of resumes, they tended to reject applicants with ethnic names, even if they were well qualified.
Sad, but true.
2007-03-19 12:40:39 · answer #7 · answered by Allan 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Overall, it should not happen, but people are people. and people have prejudices of some kind that could be influencing their decisions, whether they realize it or not. so it is indeed very possible that this has and does occur, not just with black sounding names; indian,Russian, asian.
2007-03-19 11:54:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certain names will have an adverse effect regardless of your ethnic background.
2007-03-19 11:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
absolutly not.because minority status does not have anything to with aliens.at all..minorities are women in general..thats where your beleifs on this topic derived.minorities are those less looked at and people don't get it at all..you need to educate yourself in economics to understand your own question.open your text book,i know you can do it.
2007-03-19 11:50:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋