social inequalities

sociology

social inequalities

Start

Marxism

index

Age (youth)

Neo - marxism

Age (elder)

Functionalism

Class

Feminism

Ethnicity

The new right

Gender

Postmodernism

Weberianism

Exam questions

SOCIAL INEQUALITIES

Theoretical perspective

marxism, functionalism, feminism, the new right, postmodernism and weber

Marxism

the relationship between workers and capitalists according to marx - false consciousness (dont realise they're being used)

CAUSES OF INEQUALITY - structure of society - benefits wealthy at expense of poor -> substructure consists of the materials and control used to create products and services: land, resources, etc and a labour force of workers.

1. workers are given false belief that society is fairly organised - bourgeoisie control our way of thinking2. if workers resist domination, they're victimised by forces of social control (school, government etc)

neo - marxism

Gramsci -> bourgeoisie control the economy and the creation of ideas about society BOURGEOISIE HEGEMONY - condition of society taught that rich are superior

Althusser -> repressive state apparatus (RSA) dominates WC through exercise of power and violence // ideological state apparatus (ISA) - institutions (e.g. education) that reinforces rule of capitalism through reinforcement of ideas.

Stuart Hall -> its too easy to claim that the problems of ethnic minorities are just due to class and racism// media attention on the black muggers (1970s) designed to draw attention away from gov failures and increasing inequality

functionalism

EMILE DURKHEIM - the division of labourhypothetical theory - different jobs have different status and rewards - fair system - specialists are required to make society run smoothly value consensus, collective consciousness and social solidarity - inforced by sanctions so society does not atrophy

TALCOTT PARSONS - value consensussharing a common identity gives people purpose and commitmnet to society - people are socialised into shared norms and values - some roles are ascribed not acheived e.g. expressive and instrumental roles

feminism

SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR - The Second Sex gender is a social construction - male power and influence= women become 'other' - men stereotype and oppress women - men= 'myth-making' about women/femininity - men dont ned to assert their status and sexuality -> written when women had just got the vote - no access to birth control

the new right

Trickle down theory ->

postmodernism

JEAN FRANCOIS LYOTARD (1984)postmodernity creates inequality - economic growth has gone beyond human scope - marxism & functionalism are metanarratives (try to explain society), dont fit with individualism - inequality is reinforced through consumerism - gender, class etc dont fit in postmodern societies.

BAUDRILLARD - SIMULACRA & HYPERREALITY inequality is ineveitable in a postmodern society - we are isolated (common experience - media) - independence and selfishness isnt a problem (driven by media) - reality is based on media (simulacrum) - live in hyperreality

PALUSKI - SIMULACRA & HYPERREALITY the classness of social inequalities vary historically - peaked in industrial society, declining since - contemp society is mainly classless

weberianism

- society takes the form of hierarchy- some societies - more powerful than others

CLASS POWER - unequal access to possessions or wealth

STATUS - respect - some people are viewed as socially superior

PARTY (POLITICAL POWER) - able to influence others and create laws

Verstehen - it is only possible to understand society through understanding the underlying meanings behind

1. Identify two areas of specified inequality 2. Use evidence to support both areas - official stats and sociological research 3. Evidence should be relevant and clearly demonstrate inequality 4. FOUR peel paragraphs 5. brief intro and conclusion

may be replaced with age, class etc

may be any other theoretical perspective

may be replaced with any other question

• revise seperate inequalities - age, gender, class etc.
• revise theoretical perspectives - marxism, functionalism etc.
• 20 marker is 4 paragraphs approx
• 40 marker is 5-6 paragraphs

Component 3 - Power and Stratification

click for exemplar answer

types of inequalities

age (youth)

gender

class

ethnicity

age (elder)

age inequality (youth)

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age inequality (elder)

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class inequality

EDUCATION - approx 14% of children qualify for FSM// it is clear from graphical data that these children are less likely to attain than other children

HEALTH - The Black Report 1980: found health inequalities were widening between social classes

INCOME -

ethnic inequality

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gender inequality

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60%

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80%

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