Study Says Skin Tone Affects Earnings

[Beyond Belief]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Light-skinned immigrants in the United States make more money on average than those with darker complexions, and the chief reason appears to be discrimination, a researcher says.

Joni Hersch, a law and economics professor at Vanderbilt University, looked at a government survey of 2,084 legal immigrants to the United States from around the world and found that those with the lightest skin earned an average of 8 percent to 15 percent more than similar immigrants with much darker skin.

"On average, being one shade lighter has about the same effect as having an additional year of education," Hersch said.

The study also found that taller immigrants earn more than shorter ones, with an extra inch of height associated with a 1 percent increase in income.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SKIN_TONE_INCOME?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME

 

[Peter Hamilton]

no surprise there--I'm sure the same thing is happening in Europe as well,and also the Scandanavian countries

 

[kgeaux]

EVERYTHING effects earnings! Studies have shown that people with red hair (that's me, alas) make less than browns and blondes. Short men earn less than tall men. Women earn less than even short men! Your name counts---those with unusual names earn less than those with more ordinary names. Skin color is just another form of earning discrimination.