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White Christian male is a sociological term used in the United States to describe the demographic that is presumed to face the least discrimination. In 2005 roughly one third of the US population consisted of White Christian males. Certain sub-demographics such as homosexual White Christian males and those of Middle Eastern ancestry as well as those Latino descent still face some discrimination. The term may be made more precise as European-American heterosexual Christian males or Teutonic European-American heterosexual Christian male if persons of southern European descent with darker skin-complexion are seen as non-European-American. The term has come to largely replace the sociologically out-dated term WASP. In the latter half of the 20 century, discrimination against Catholic males and so-called "Ethnic European-Americans" ended. Furthermore the term WASP includes females which have and continue to face discrimination independent of racial or ethnic background. 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.

Chances at Prosperity

With the great and rising prosperity of Asian and Jewish Americans, there is considerable debate regarding how being an European-American heterosexual Christian male affects one's life chances.

"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.

White Christian 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. Asian Americans had the highest income and education levels of any race, rivaling that of non-Hispanic White males. 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.

See also

• Personal income in the United States
• Educational attainment in the United States
• White American
• Racism in the United States

References

1. ^ Thompson, William (2005). Society in Focus. Boston, MA: Pearson. 0-205-41365-X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
2. "US Census Bureau, racial breakdown, 2005". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
3. "US Census Bureau, gender breakdown, 2005". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
4. "Will another White male be elected president in 2008?, The Chrisitian Science Monitor, 2007". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
5. "Mother Jones, the Changing Power Elite, 1998". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
6. "US Census Bureau, Household income distribution, 2005". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
7. "US Census Bureau, Personal Income for Asian American males". Retrieved 2007-01-20.

• Sociology
• Social groups