Systems of inequality are a social problem because they affect all of society and are directly caused and upheld by society. Inequality is built from differences within society. It’s true that, as an individual, the family you are born into can sometimes plot the entire course of your life, but just that one factor is not what upholds the process of inequality. There are so many layers to it that it would be ridiculous to claim that the problem of inequality could be sourced back to one individual issue.
It is society that created the ranking system that we are placed in and experience inequality through. This system is then passed down through generations and has been molded to continue to benefit those at the top. The rich and powerful want to ensure that inequality prevails and stays under their control because it will continue to benefit them and their offspring. They do this by legitimizing inequality through encouraging stereotypes, myths, and ideologies. (Rothman, 2005). This further proves that inequality is a social issue because it is society that allows it to continue.
It is policies restricting upward mobility based on talent that creates economic inequality. For instance, some businesses use exclusion to limit which members of society are even allowed to apply for positions based on prerequisites. A job posting could say that you need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in something to apply for a position that could give you upward mobility on the social class system. However, there are many factors that could keep you from having this degree. You may have not been born into a family that had the resources to put you through high school, let alone college. This means that someone could be extremely talented in a field but held back because of a policy written just to exclude them from reaching these higher ranks. Many places put these rules into place without considering all the talent they are passing up because someone didn’t have the resources available to them to get the degree they require.
The wage gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow and can be tied to government policies that have caused downsizing, unemployment, and lower pay. Some businesses have chosen to hire less people, expect more work, and offer less hours, all while offering lower pay. For example, a retail chain may be only allowed to hire part-time employees to avoid providing health insurance or other benefits. This saves the company money but does nothing to help those working for them. This also leaves little chance for upward mobility and thus continues the growing of the wage gap.
The “American Dream” is a well-known ideology that states that individual effort will lead to success. (Rothman, 2005). Accepting this as the cause of economic inequality would mean that people choose to be at the lower end of the system because they didn’t try hard enough. Many Americans (more than likely at the top of the system) would claim that social class has nothing to do with success or failure and that everyone is on equal footing if they extend the effort necessary. (Rosenblum, Travis, 2003).
Of course, talent and effort matter and can affect economic inequality in their own way. If someone has a natural born talent and uses that to push themselves to the top of the system, then it can cause a shift in equality. However, government policies hold opportunity for upward mobility behind locked cages and prevent people from accessing these in a more solid way than fluctuating talent and effort. Not everyone even feels that they should really try to extend the effort because of the effect that policies have within the structure of inequality. The policies in place control what talent gets through and this is why they come in to play more than individual effort.
Weber And Modern Day Social Inequality
Weber’s Theory
Weber’s theories were much like those of Marx, however Weber was a bit more detailed in some of his classification and also for saw a different outcome than did Marx. Weber describes a differences in classes based on some ownership characteristics, but he also talks about the relationship of these classes based on the relationship the class members have with each other (Marger 2014). Weber suggested within his theory there were three areas in which social inequality happens. I would have to agree with Weber that there are more areas in which a society classifies people than workers and owners (Marger 2014).
Class
Like Marx, Weber believed that there are different social classes in which people are separated. Weber believed that instead of the two classes that Marx proposed there were more classes and separated in a more detailed way. Where Marx described two classes, the workers and the owners, Weber’s theory was that there were far more things that separated the people (Cultural Reader 2014). His biggest argument for this is that there could be multiple individuals that have jobs and are both workers but because of the differences in their jobs, such as certifications, and education, they would be in different classes (Sociology Guide 2018).
Video Reflection
In the video Goffman talks about two boys that she has a relationship with, she tells of their circumstances while growing up as young black boys. The struggles that they have with law enforcement reflect some of the of the struggles that Weber spoke about in his theory (Goffman 2015). The boys in Goffman’s story were of a lower class than the school officer, or other officers of the law. Because of that they were treated differently than young boys of higher class. Because of these boy’s economic status, their options for the future are limited. They are already viewed as lower class status because of the economic status of their parents, this status does not allow the boys to transition to a higher class because of the limited opportunities they are given (Marger 2014).
Status
Weber also felt like there was more to it than just separating into different classes. He felt like a person’s status, or prestige would also determine how a person was grouped and classified (Cultural Reader 2014). An example of this would be lifestyle, Weber believed there would be cases in which an individual might also be a worker and not an owner, but have a lifestyle that affiliates them with more prestigious crowds (Sociology Guide 2018).
Video Reflection
Goffman’s story of the young boys starts with the oldest one getting into an altercation at school. The officer at the school decided to file charges against the boy (Goffman 2015). Like Weber’s theory on status, if the boy would have had an affiliation with a more prestigious crowd, this charge would not have been filed. If in fact the charge was filed, the boy’s family would have been able to get him out of the situation without any documentation to further follow the boy. The boy’s status is determined by the affiliations that he has, and those affiliations come from the lifestyle that he leads, or that he has been born into (Marger 2014).
Party
The third aspect to this separation was party. This is equated to political power (Marger 2014). Those that have political power and are in the position to be able to develop and decide on laws would find themselves in a different class than others.
Video Reflection
Goffman definitely speaks about a separation of society with an emphases on party or political power (Goffman 2015). Our society is currently struggling with the separation of power. We have a division amongst our social classes where there are those that make and enforce the laws and those that these laws effect. Unfortunately, most of those that are making the laws are not familiar with how it effects those like the boys in her story (Goffman 2015).
Modern Day Social Inequality
In the video Goffman tells some accounts that she witnessed with two young boys and their struggle with social inequality. There are many forms of social inequality today, much like those she described in the video many are in situations similar to these young black boys and their struggle with the law enforcement agency (Goffman 2014).
Reflection
I was no surprised by the information that was given in the film. I work with a couple of young men that have similar struggles. I have witnessed some of these similar situations. It is extremely disheartening. She made a statement at the end of the video that stuck with me and I feel like is a true statement to what is happening. She agreed that these individuals were in fact breaking the law however, what she said that I appreciated is that we as a society are expecting these children who have the least amount of resources, and support to walk the thinnest line possible to stay in a position where they can succeed (Goffman 2015).
Moving forward into the future I would agree that there are some changes that need to be made to our system. I believe that our policy makers need to put more legislation in place to supplement our education system. The inequality of education that happens in our state, does not help the issues. Students from lower income families are entering school behind the other students. As they go through school the system makes it difficult for these students to close the gap. I am not sure of the policy that could be developed to help combat this situation, but I do believe that more research and money needs to be put into all the education systems. I agree with Goffman that we do need a change in our justice system.
Social Inequalities in Society
Territories of social disparity incorporate access to casting a ballot rights, the right to speak freely and gathering, the degree of property rights and access to training, medicinal services, quality lodging, voyaging, transportation, traveling and other social merchandise and ventures. Aside from that it can likewise be found in the nature of family and neighborhood life, occupation, work fulfillment, and access to credit.
On the off chance that these financial divisions solidify, they can prompt social inequality. The purposes behind social imbalance can differ, yet are regularly expansive and extensive. Social imbalance can develop through a general public’s comprehension of suitable sexual orientation jobs, or through the pervasiveness of social stereotyping. Social disparity can likewise be built up through biased enactment. Social disparities existed between ethnic or religious gatherings, classes and nations making the idea of social imbalance a worldwide marvel.
Social disparity is not the same as financial imbalance, however the two are connected. Social imbalance alludes to differences in the circulation of financial resources and salary just as between the general quality and extravagance of every individual’s presence inside a general public, while monetary disparity is brought about by the unequal collection of riches; social imbalance exists in light of the fact that the absence of riches in specific territories precludes these individuals from getting a similar lodging, human services, and so forth as the affluent, in social orders where access to these social merchandise relies upon riches. Social disparity is connected to racial imbalance, sexual orientation imbalance, and riches disparity. The manner in which individuals carry on socially, through supremacist or misogynist rehearses and different types of segregation, will in general stream down and influence the chances and riches people can create for themselves.
Thomas M. Shapiro presents a theoretical case of this in his book, The Hidden Cost of Being African American, in which he endeavors to exhibit the dimension of imbalance on the ‘playing field for blacks and whites.’ One model he shows reports how a dark family was denied a bank credit to use for lodging, while a white family was endorsed. Similar to a property holder is an essential strategy in securing riches, this circumstance made less open doors for the dark family to gain riches, delivering social disparity.
We need to find ways to fix and get rid of social Inequalities, because at the end of the day we’re all human and we all bleed red, according to Navdeep Nandrajog, we can all change the social problems in this world for the better.
Mental Change. We have to bring a psychological change, and consider everybody equivalent, regardless of their budgetary, social, skin shading, rank, and different contrasts. This comes somewhat simpler to the knowledgeable (not simply learnt) individuals. Think about the drivers, cleaners, little specialists and enormous representatives and all other around you with a point of view that they are carrying out their responsibilities and not simply serving you. They will work better when regarded.
Teach the entire society. When we instruct (again – not simply learning) the entire society the general population on higher end of the disparity will begin regarding the general population from the opposite end, and the general population at the lower end will discover that they merit regard and fairness. They will comprehend that activity is a vocation, a few occupations are higher paying than others.
Pick a legislature that does not bolster free enterprise/privatization. The contrast between the private and general society segment is normally the working conditions. Private area will give more awful working conditions and regard to the representatives, and the general population division individuals in creating nations abuse their position. People in general part employments ought to likewise have yearly execution assessment and the low performing ought to be evacuated, much the same as private segment yet with better working conditions.
Government ought to give great fundamental offices to all. The legislature ought to give great and free training to all. The legislature ought to give great wellbeing offices to all. These are the 2 noteworthy reasons why individuals spare a ton of cash and that prompts money related disparity. In the event that individuals spend more the assessment gathering will be higher, as more individuals will adapt better and deals expense and salary duty will give more cash to government to give those offices. It is a cycle, however the administration must have the aims.
At the point when point 4 is being actualized/set up, spend more, to keep the cash available for use and in reach of the general population who are endeavoring to increment money related status. Go on get-aways/eat out more/make good on regulatory obligations/utilize great quality stuff and way of life. Appreciate life and not simply live it.
According to Tony Atkinson, there are two main sets of reasons why one is concerned about inequality, one is intrinsic that the kind of society in which we would like to live is one in which at least the gaps are not too big between the top and the bottom and that’s my regard as a very intrinsic reason why we feel that issues of social justice should be addressed. And then the second set of reasons are the consequences of inequality, which had quite a lot of attention recently in terms of their impact on all kinds of social and economic problems. But I think the consequences for me probably are the most serious when it comes to the relationship between two kinds of inequality; one is inequality of opportunity and the other is inequality of outcome.
And I’ve tended to focus on inequality of outcome because it seems to me that’s a necessary element in achieving something which virtually everyone seems to agree on – which is we should have a level playing field in terms of equality of opportunity. Yes, of course, these two are linked, if I remember correctly, I think Anthony Giddens once wrote that this generation’s inequality of outcome is the next generation’s inequality of opportunity.
Exactly, I think that one sees this in all sorts of spheres from, as it were children going into education to access to jobs, all of these things have created a very uneven playing field. And I think that’s part of the resentment that’s felt by many people that they don’t, as it were, start off with the same chances in life. And that’s I think what lies behind quite a lot of the political movements that we’ve seen in the last few years.
Instruct the entire society. When we instruct (again – not simply learning) the entire society the general population on higher end of the imbalance will begin regarding the general population from the opposite end, and the general population at the lower end will discover that they merit regard and correspondence. They will comprehend that activity is work, a few employments are higher paying than others.
Pick a legislature that does not bolster free enterprise/privatization. The contrast between the private and the general population part is typically the working conditions. Private segment will give more awful working conditions and regard to the representatives, and the general population division individuals in creating nations abuse their position. The general population part occupations ought to likewise have yearly execution assessment and the low performing ought to be evacuated, much the same as private area yet with better working conditions.
Government ought to give great essential offices to all. The administration ought to give great and free training to all. The administration ought to give great wellbeing offices to all. These are the 2 noteworthy reasons why individuals spare a great deal of cash and that prompts money related imbalance. On the off chance that individuals spend more the expense gathering will be higher, as more individuals will adapt better and deals assessment and salary duty will give more cash to government to give those offices. It is a cycle, however the administration must have the aims.
At the point when point 4 is being actualized/set up, spend more, to keep the cash available for use and in reach of the general population who are attempting to increment monetary status. Go on get-aways/eat out more/make good on regulatory expenses/utilize great quality stuff and way of life. Appreciate life and not simply live it.
Appreciate the things we all have, and don’t worry about the things we don’t. Live every day like it’s your last. Help everyone you can, because you never know when you’re gonna be the one needing help. I think if everyone thought this way, then there wouldn’t be any social Inequalities because everyone is helping someone in some way.. doesn’t matter if it’s on a monetary level etc. helping anyone you can helps us all.