Social inequality is the existence of uneven opportunities and rewards for

diverse social positions or statuses within a group or society. It happens when

resources, in whatever nature, are distributed unevenly.

Additionally, social inequalities are Image: https://bit.ly/3cOzGSM

correlated to gender inequality (women and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender), ethnic minorities, racial inequality and persons with disabilities,
etc.

Gender and sexual orientation have been a subject of inequality.

Traditionally, women were regarded as placed in the lower social status in society
compared to men. Men were accorded to have more social and political rights. In
these modern societies, though there are already many women representations in
civil society, the culture of stereotyping is still evident. They are also subjected to
abuse and violence.

A similar situation is experienced by the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender)

community whose gender preferences are subject to discrimination in society.

Ethnic minorities are also subject to social discrimination – the cultural

marginalization that they experience from the dominant majority. They are also
victims of stereotyping, abuse and, violence.

Persons with disabilities (PWD) or differently-abled persons are also victims of

inequality and deprived of opportunities in society especially, in the employment
sector due to their physical impairments.

Minorities in the social structure. Members of society that have more power than
others are called dominant members. Dominant members set the standards to
follow. The dominant group enjoy more privileges, such as better houses, better
schools, and higher income. On the other hand, those who are barred from such
privileges and opportunities are called the minorities. They are usually denied by the
equal treatment of the majority or dominant.

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 Discrimination and prejudice. Discrimination happens when minorities are
being deprived of equal treatment and are kept in a lower status by the dominant
members of the society and the resistance of equality.

Closely linked to discrimination is prejudice. Prejudice can be either positive or

negative but, most of the time, it connotes negativity. Prejudice is defined as a
negative attitude toward the members of a group. It is a prejudgment of others that
allows us to brand or label them in various negative ways. Discrimination is an act
while prejudice is an attitude.

Stereotyping refers to our tendency to picture all members of a category as

having the same qualities. Usually, stereotyping is a result of overgeneralization.

Ethnocentrism is the belief that our nation, race, or group is the best or
superior to others.

Scapegoating is a situation when people encounter problems that they do not

know how to solve. Often, they feel frustrated, and eventually, it leads to aggression.
When it happens, people usually look at someone or something else to be blamed for
their troubles or problems.

Racism is the belief that one’s race is superior and has the right to control or
direct others.

There are ways by which social inequality can be addressed.

The first of these is through policy legislation. Gender equality can be fostered
by enacting laws that promote women’s rights. Many laws have been crafted to
guarantee women’s protection and well-being, may it be in work or household.

• 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law

Signed into law on February 2019 by President Rodrigo Duterte, Republic Act
11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law extends the previous 60-day (78 days
for caesarian section delivery for women workers in the private sector) paid maternity
leave to 105 days. The law also entails an option to extend for an additional 30 days
of unpaid leave. Additional 15 days of paid maternity leave shall also be granted to
female solo parents.

• Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women

RA 6725 prohibits discrimination with respect to terms and conditions of

employment solely based on sex. Under this law, any employer favoring a male
employee over a female in terms of promotion, training opportunities, and other
benefits solely on account of sex is considered discrimination.

• Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004

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 RA 9262, or An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children,
Providing Protective Measures for Victims, Prescribing Penalties Therefor and for
Other Purposes, recognizes the need to protect the family and its members
particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their safety and
security. Under this law, the state also recognizes the need to protect the family and
its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their
personal safety and security.
• Assistance for small-scale women entrepreneurs

This law seeks to provide all possible assistance to Filipino women in their
pursuit of owning, operating, and managing small business enterprises. RA 7882, or
the Act that states the Provision of Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and
Cottage Business Enterprises, and for other purposes, was approved in February
1995.

• Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

RA 7877 addresses the issue of sexual harassment committed in

employment, education, or training environment. It was signed into law on February
14, 1995, under former President Fidel Ramos' administration. Sexual favors made
as a condition in the employment or granting promotions or privileges; or the refusal
to grant the sexual favor results in limiting, segregating, or classifying the employee
which in any way would discriminate, deprive or diminish employment opportunities
or otherwise adversely affect is punishable by law.

• The Anti-Rape Law of 1997

RA 8353 states that any person having carnal knowledge of a woman through
force, threat, or intimidation or by means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of
authority will be punished. Depending on the severity of the case, the offense may be
punishable reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.

• Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998

RA 8505 declares the policy of the State to provide necessary assistance and
protection for rape victims. The government shall coordinate its various agencies and
non-government organizations to work hand in hand for the establishment and
operation of a rape crisis center in every province and city that shall assist and
protect rape victims in the litigation of their cases and their recovery.

• Magna Carta of Women

RA 9710 is a comprehensive women's human rights law that seeks to

eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion
of the rights of Filipino women, especially those belonging to the marginalized
sectors of society. It conveys a framework of rights for women based directly on
international law. Pursuant to this law is Executive Order 273 that states the approval
and adoption of the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development, 1995-
2025.

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 • National Women's Day

RA 6949 declares the eighth day of March every year as a special working
holiday.

For the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT), the Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, also known as the
AntiDiscrimination Bill (ADB), is a bill that was proposed by the Congress of the
Philippines. It is intended to prevent various economic and public
accommodationrelated acts of discrimination against people based on their sexual
orientation, gender identity, or expression. The version in the House of
Representatives passed its third reading most recently on September 20, 2017, but
died in the Senate. It has been refiled for the 18th Congress.

For the ethnic minorities, we have the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act 1997
(Republic Act No. 8371 of 1997). It is an Act to recognize, protect and promote the
rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples, creating a National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples, establishing implementing mechanisms,
appropriating funds, therefore, and for other purposes.

The following laws are passed to protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities
(PWDs):

• RA 10070 – Establishing Institutional Mechanism To Ensure The Implementation

Of Programs And Services For Persons With Disabilities In Every Province, City
and Municipality, Amending Republic Act No. 7277, Otherwise Known As The
Magna Carta For Disabled Persons, As Amended, And For Other Purposes.

• RA 10366 – An Act Authorizing The Commission On Elections To Establish

Precincts Assigned To Accessible Polling Places Exclusively For Persons With
Disabilities And Senior Citizens

• RA 10524 – An Act Expanding The Positions Reserved For Persons With

Disability, Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 7277, As Amended,
Otherwise Known As The Magna Carta For Persons With Disability

• RA 10754 – An Act Expanding The Benefits And Privileges Of Persons With

Disability (PWD)

• RA 11106 – An Act Declaring The Filipino Sign Language As The National Sign
Language Of The Filipino Deaf And The Official Sign Language Of Government
In
All Transactions Involving The Deaf, And Mandating Its Use In Schools,
Broadcast Media, And Workplaces

• RA 11228 – An Act Providing For The Mandatory Philhealth Coverage For All
Persons With Disability (PWDs), Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No.
7277, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The “Magna Carta For Persons With
Disability”

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• RA 1179 – An Act To Provide For The Promotion Of Vocational Rehabilitation Of
The Blind And Other Handicapped Persons And Their Return To Civil
Employment

• RA 1373 – An Act Authorizing The Philippine Sportswriters Association To Hold

One Benefit Boxing Show Every Year, The Net Proceeds Of Which Shall
Constitute A Trust Fund For The Benefit Or Disabled Filipino-Boxers

• RA 3562 – An Act To Promote The Education Of The Blind In The Philippines

• RA 4564 – An Act Authorizing The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office To

Hold Annually One Special Sweepstakes Race For The Exclusive Use Of The
Office Of Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Welfare Administrations, In Its
Development And Expansion Program For The Physically Disabled Throughout
The Philippines.

• RA 5250 – An Act Establishing A Ten-Year Training Program For Teachers Of

Special And Exceptional Children In The Philippines And Authorizing The
Appropriation Of Funds Thereof.

• RA 6759 – An Act Declaring August One Of Each Year As White Cane Safety
Day In The Philippines And For Other Purposes

• RA 7277 – An Act Providing For The Rehabilitation, Self-Development And

SelfReliance Of Disabled Person And Their Integration Into The Mainstream Of
Society And For Other Purposes.

• RA 9442 – An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7277, Otherwise Known As The
“Magna Carta For Disabled Persons, And For Other Purposes”

Another way is through promoting cultural transformation and attempting to

transform the way society looks at women, LGBT, ethnic minorities, and PWDs.
Educate the public to address the problem of social inequality, may it be in
schools, as well as through popular media.

How about you? What ways can you suggest addressing social inequalities?

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 C 15. C 10. B 5.
A 14. B 9. D 4.
B 13. D 8. B 3.
D 12. B 7. A 2.
A 11. A 6. C 1.

POSTTEST

B 15. B 10. B 5.
B 14. A 9. D 4.
A 13. B 8. B 3.
C 12. C 7. C 2.
D 11. A 6. A 1.

PRETEST

KEY TO ANSWERS

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REFERENCE
Baleña, Ederlina D., Lucero, Dolores M., Peralta, Arnel M. Understanding
Culture, Society, and Politics for Senior High School. Quezon
City: Educational Resources Corporation, 2016.

Contreras, Antonio P., Dela Cruz, Arleigh Ross D., Erasga, Dennis S.,
Fadrigon, Cecile C. Understanding Culture, Society, and
Politics. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2016.
"Chapter 11. Race and Ethnicity – Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian
Edition." BC Open Textbooks – Open Textbooks Adapted and Created
by
BC Faculty. Last modified November 6, 2014.
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter11-
raceand-ethnicity/.

"Prejudice and Discrimination | Boundless Sociology." Lumen Learning –

Simple
Book Production. Accessed June 14, 2020.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundlesssociology/chapter/
prejudice-and-discrimination/.

"Women in the Workplace | Boundless Sociology." Lumen Learning – Simple

Book Production. Accessed June 14, 2020.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/
womenin-the-workplace/.

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