Skin Color Discrimination in Mexico: Findings From the 2017 National Survey of Discrimination

Mauricio Rodriguez Abreu , Universidad de las Americas Puebla

In Mexico, the lack of information regarding skin color or racial identification has resulted in the invisibility of racial discrimination in the country. Using information from the National Survey of Discrimination 2017 (ENADIS) from Mexico, which included a skin color palette and demographic and socioeconomic information, the present analysis investigates the association of skin color and structural discrimination. Dissimilarity indices were estimated for three social dimensions of social rights: health, education and work. These indices allow for the identification of differences in health care provider, educational attainment and occupation by skin color. Findings show that three categories of skin color account for 84% and few people report being discriminated by their skin color. However, the dissimilarity indices indicate a higher level of structural discrimination among women than men, as well as the accumulation of disadvantages for people based on their skin color, indigenous identity and socioeconomic status.

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 Presented in Session 9. Marriage, Family, Households, & Unions; Gender, Race, & Ethnicity