SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS ON SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN TERMS OF ETHNICITY
Functionalism and Ethnicity
See society in terms of stability
and consensus based on
shared values
Differences between racial or
ethnic groups are dysfunctional
since they upset the smooth
running of society.
Functionalist tend to see such
problems as temporary.
Newly arrived immigrant
groups who are ethnically
distinct need to become
assimilated; that is over time
they will gradually lose their
distinct cultural identity as they
adopt the norms and values of
the host society.
4 aspects of assimilation:
Marxism and Ethnicity
See society as a result of the
capitalist economic structure
The idea of race is part of
capitalist ideology. It has been
used to justify the bad treatment
of particular groups of workers.
The ruling class persuade the
working class that some of the
problems they face, such as
employment, are fault of
immigrant or ethnic groups,
thus scapegoating these
groups. If the working class
believe this, then it becomes
divided against itself. This
strengthens the position of the
ruling class and makes
revolution less likely.
Racism is the interests of the
ruling class so it is not
surprising that it continues to be
perpetuated through, for
example, negative images from
media.
Marxists are less interested in
Right-wing view: minority
ethnic group as underclass
The underclass is an idea used
by rightwing thinkers. The
underclass is seen to be
clearly separated from the
working class by a structural
break.
The underclass is characterised
by:
1. Multiple deprivation
2. Social marginality – they lack
the normal means of voicing
their grievances or exercising
power and are less likely to vote
and less aware of their rights.
3. a culture of fatalism and
despair
4. dependency on the welfare
state
Charles Murray has argued that
African-Americans are on
average less intelligent than
other Americans and that their
culture leads to birth outside
marriage, single parenthood and
inadequate socialisation of boys.
The African American
underclass is associated with
high levels of criminality,
violence, and drug taking
Ethnicity and education,
Employment, and Housing
The three areas that ethnic
minority face discrimination.
This is because those who are in
positions of power and
authority, though there are laws,
hold prejudiced views.
Education:
1. Teachers are likely to be from
the majority ethnic group and
may stereotype ethnic minority
pupils as lazy or deviant leading
to self-fulfilling prophecy.
2. The school may also have
curriculum that is based on the
history and culture of the
majority group.
Employment:
1. Applicants for jobs may face
discrimination. From interviews
to job offers.
2. If they are given employment,
they may find that they are not
given opportunities to take
training courses and they do not
get promotion
Housing:

1. Socio-economic status
2. Residential concentration
3. Language attainment
4. Intermarriage
SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS ON SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN TERMS OF ETHNICITY
the cultural characteristics of 1. Local government has a stock
groups and more in their class of housing available for rent,
position in capitalist societies. members of ethnic minorities
may find that the rules about
who has priority may mean they
are rarely offered housing.
2. in privately owned housing,
there can be informal
segregation when members of
minorities planning to move to a
new area are made aware that
they will not be welcome
Minority ethnic groups can also
form a reserve army of labour.
They can be used as workers
when the capitalist system
needs them but can be
discarded and remain
unemployed if not. They suffer
all the disadvantages associated
with this identity and are
vulnerable to exploitation.
Ethnic minorities are usually
part of the working class but
they are more disadvantaged
than the indigenous working
class because of the ideology of
racism.