2013 Theses Master's

Effects of War After War: A Quantitative Comparison of the Economic Performance of Jewish World War II Veterans to Non-Jewish World War II Veterans

Shields, Michael

There is relatively little comparative research studying religious subgroups of military veterans. Using data from the 1970 United States Census, the income and the influences on the income of Jewish World War II veterans were compared to the income and the influences on the income of non-Jewish World War II veterans. The same analyses were then performed on veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam War and compared to World War II veterans. Additionally, a novel approach was used to quantify the association of military service during World War II with the income of veterans. Jewish World War II veterans and Jewish Korean War veterans earn a greater amount of income than non-Jewish World War II veterans and non-Jewish Korean War veterans. Military service during World War II is associated with a decrease in the income of Jews and an increase in the income of non-Jews. The influences on income differ by religion, war, and veteran status. The results are discussed within a framework of sociological theory. This paper was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences.