Moving up, but How Far? African American Women and Economic Restructuring in Los Angeles, 1970–1990

In this article we use 1970 to 1990 Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) to examine patterns associated with African American women's economic and labor market integration in Los Angeles. We examine key indicators of overall economic restructuring in Los Angeles, such as patterns of industrial growth and decline during the period in question. We focus primarily on four specific labor market characteristics: Changes in industrial characteristics of Los Angeles, changing occupational distribution, changes in earnings, and employment patterns among African American women. Although we focus on trends for African American women, these trends are also examined, where relevant, for other groups. Specifically, comparisons are made with white women and Latinas and with African American, white, and Latino men. Our analysis illustrates the manner in which economic restructuring has had important and contradictory impacts on labor market participation and occupational distribution among African American women.