Definition of Social Inequality

Social inequality occurs when resources in a given society are distributed unevenly, typically
through norms of allocation, that engender specific patterns along lines of socially defined
categories of persons. It is the differentiation preference of access of social goods in the society
brought about by power, religion, kinship, prestige, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual
orientation, and class. The social rights include labor market, the source of income, health care,
and freedom of speech, education, political representation, and participation.[1] Social inequality
linked to economic inequality, usually described on the basis of the unequal distribution of
income or wealth, is a frequently studied type of social inequality. Though the disciplines of
economics and sociology generally use different theoretical approaches to examine and explain
economic inequality, both fields are actively involved in researching this inequality. However,
social and natural resources other than purely economic resources are also unevenly distributed
in most societies and may contribute to social status. Norms of allocation can also affect the
distribution of rights and privileges, social power, access to public goods such as education or the
judicial system, adequate housing, transportation, credit and financial services such as banking
and other social goods and services.
According to Kimberly Moffitt of the Study.com
Social inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social
positions or statuses within a group or society. Social inequality has several important
dimensions. Income is the earnings from work or investments, while wealth is the total value of
money and other assets minus debts. Other important dimensions include power, occupational
prestige, schooling, ancestry, and race and ethnicity.
According to Development Strategy and Policy Analysis Unit w Development Policy and Analysis
Division- Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Economic inequality refers to how economic variables are distributed—among individuals in a
group, among groups in a population, or among countries. Development theory has largely been
concerned with inequalities in standards of living, such as inequalities in income/wealth,
education, health, and nutrition. Much of this discussion has boiled down to a debate between
two perspectives: the first is primarily concerned with the inequality of opportunities, such as
unequal access to employment or education; and the second with the inequality of outcomes in
various material dimensions of human well-being, such as the level of income, educational
attainment, health status and so on.

 Social inequality refers to relational processes in society that have the effect of limiting
or harming a group's social status, social class, and social circle.
 Areas of social inequality include access to voting rights, freedom of speech and
assembly, the extent of property rights and access to education, health care, quality
housing, traveling, transportation, vacationing and other social goods and services.
 Apart from that it can also be seen in the quality of family and neighborhood life,
occupation, job satisfaction, and access to credit.
 If these economic divisions harden, they can lead to social inequality. The reasons for
social inequality can vary, but are often broad and far reaching.
 Social inequality can emerge through a society's understanding of appropriate gender
roles, or through the prevalence of social stereotyping.
  Social inequality can also be established through discriminatory legislation.
 Social inequalities exist between ethnic or religious groups, classes and countries making
the concept of social inequality a global phenomenon.
 Social inequality is different from economic inequality, though the two are linked.
 Social inequality refers to disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income
as well as between the overall quality and luxury of each person's existence within a
society, while economic inequality is caused by the unequal accumulation of wealth;
social inequality exists because the lack of wealth in certain areas prohibits these people
from obtaining the same housing, health care, etc. as the wealthy, in societies where
access to these social goods depends on wealth.
 Social inequality is linked to racial inequality, gender inequality, and wealth inequality.
 The way people behave socially, through racist or sexist practices and other forms of
discrimination, tends to trickle down and affect the opportunities and wealthy
individuals can generate for themselves.

Why does social inequality naturally occurs?

According to LITTEACHER8
Inequality and poverty exist in our society because wealth and opportunity are inherited. If we
all entered the world with an equal amount of resources, some would still rise above others if
greed was a societal norm. Since greed is the norm in our society, and wealth is passed from
generation to generation, there will always be inequality and poverty.