White male

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White male is a sociological term used in the United States to describe the demographic that is presumed to dominate the nation's elites and to face the least discrimination.^[1] In 2005 roughly one third of the US population consisted of White males.^[2]^[3] Certain sub-demographics such as homosexual White Christian males and those of Middle Eastern ancestry (who are legally white in the USA) as well as those of Latino descent still face some discrimination. The term has come to largely replace the sociologically out-dated term WASP. In the latter half of the 20^th century, discrimination against Catholic white males and so-called "Ethnic European-Americans," such as Irish-Americans, has largely ended.^[4] Today many catholic and "ethnic" European Americans such as Nancy Pelosi and John Roberts hold high powered public offices with the percentage of Catholic congressmen (29%) being roughly equal to that found in the general population (24%).^[5]^[6] Furthermore the term WASP includes females which have and continue to face discrimination independent of racial or ethnic background.^[1] Such observations are based on quantitative studies and rely on macro-research. Life chances are largely the result of socio-economic status and many non-white males may enjoy greater material prosperity than some white males.

1 Prosperity and status
2 Income
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Prosperity and status

With the great and rising prosperity of Asian and Jewish Americans, white males may still face increased economic life chances than other demographics. Due to lower experiencing lesser discrimination, white males face less resistance when moving up the economic ladder. White males have been shown to be hired and promoted than female and minority canidates with similar backgrounds.^[4]

“

"The simple fact remains that, from its inception, the American presidency has been an exclusive club. In addition to the fact that all were males of northern European origin... In addition to their gender, racial, ethnic, and religious homogeneity, presidents have come from only a few states... We're confident that it is, and that either a woman or a minority candidate will be elected to the presidency in a matter of years, not decades. It is certainly a distinct possibility for 2008" -David E. Drew and Hedley Burrell, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 January 2007.^[7]

”

White Males continue to dominate the nation's elites. While Asian and Jewish Americans have higher educational attainment and personal as well as household income, they may still face stigmatization and find themselves having difficulty attaining high governmental offices. Jewish Americans are more overrepresented in top corporate offices. While Jewish Americans constituted only 2.5% of the US population, 7.7% of corporate board seats were held by Jewish Americans.^[8] Asian Americans had the highest income and education levels of any race, rivaling that of non-Hispanic White males.^[9]^[10] Both Asian and Jewish Americans combined only constitute 6% of the US population. Additionally those who hold high-rung elected offices such as Congressmen, Senators and the President tend to be European-American, heterosexual and Christian. There is considerable discussion of the extent to which being a White Christian male may affect one's life chances, especially in light of the socio-economic success of Asian Americans. European-American males with a heterosexual orientation continue to dominate the demographic composition of the US congress and the nation's boardrooms and may continue to face enhanced life chances.^[1]

[edit] Income

In 2005, non-Hispanic White men over the age of 25 had the highest median income of any other demographic group in the United States of America, among those with earnings.^[11]

In 2005 the median gross income for an American in the labor force with earnings and above the age of 25 was $32,140 per year.^[12]
The median income for a European-American male (including Jewish Americans) with earnings was $40,939, the highest of any demographic.^[13]
The median personal income for Asian American males, age 25+ with earnings was almost the exact same at $42,359 in 2005.^[10]
Overall White males earned 28% more than the average American and 46% more than non-Hispanic White females.^[13]^[14]