Race, Gender, and Immigration in the Informal Economy

Abstract

Immigrant women working in the informal economy in the United States (as housecleaners, childcare, and sex workers) play a significant role but are often unrecognized and exploited, and lack access to the most basic benefits offered to most American workers. This situation is duplicated in other countries. Both men and women suffer abuse, but women are also burdened by traditional gender roles that reinforce biases and result in negative outcomes.