Final answer:
Gender is the factor that most commonly leads to segregation in occupations in the United States. The segregation seen in different occupations by gender, as well as the ethnic composition within those occupations, stems from multiple systemic issues including education, housing, and historical discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about common occupations in the United States and which factor leads to their segregation. The correct answer is C) Gender. Occupations in the United States are often segregated by gender, with significant differences being evident in the types of jobs held by men and women, as well as the ethnic composition within those occupations. Historical factors, discrimination in education and housing, and culturally ingrained biases have all contributed to this division.
Studies and statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics demonstrate that the wage gap between Black and White workers persists and is partly attributed to differences in education levels and discrimination. For example, Black and White college graduates may start with comparable salaries, but the racial pay gap tends to widen over time, which suggests ongoing discrimination. Furthermore, housing discrimination, such as redlining, has negatively impacted educational opportunities for Black individuals, limiting their access to higher-paying jobs that require more education. This chain of discrimination exemplifies how interconnected systems of inequality affect occupations and earnings.
It's worth noting that while discrimination by employers in the labor market based on gender, race, or other factors is illegal, systemic issues and the slow pace of change mean that disparities continue to affect the labor market.