Does Inequality Induce Homophily? Origins of Native-Immigrant Homophily in Adolescent Friendships.

Structural features of populations, such as diversity or inequality, are typically used to explain overall patterns of intergroup interaction (for instance overall patterns of friendships between immigrant and native groups). While intergroup interaction is a component of social integration, recent studies are able to distinguish between intergroup interaction and homophily, which is an important component of social integration because it reflects individual-level attitudes or preferences. Homophily refers to the fact that individuals often prefer to associate with those who are similar with themselves (for instance those who share the same native or immigrant background). While forms of inequality are known to structurally diminish intergroup association, whether inequality increases homophily remains an open question. This study proposes and tests novel hypotheses on inequality as an origin of homophily. Specifically, this study will test whether two forms of inequality, (1) direct socioeconomic inequality and (2) the consolidation (or correlation) of socioeconomic status and immigrant background, exacerbate immigrant-native homophily within adolescent friendships in school classrooms. Using Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGM) of friendship networks captured by the CILS4EU (the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Survey in Four European Countries) survey, the findings indicate that consolidation, but not inequality, exacerbates native-immigrant homophily. This indicates that existing studies underestimate the implications of inequality for social integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]