SOC 220 Social Inequality Worksheets Scoring Guide Grading C

Soc 220 Social Inequality Worksheetscoring Guidegrading Categorypoint

Explain how social inequality, on a micro and macro level, perpetuates the social problem you selected. Explain how social inequality is influenced by individual and institutional discrimination. Use the GCU library and identify an actual solution to the problem of social inequality. Summarize the solution you identified and compare it to historical solutions proposed in the past.

Paper For Above instruction

Social inequality is a pervasive issue that operates both on micro and macro levels, significantly contributing to persistent social problems such as poverty, unequal access to education, and disparities in health outcomes. On the micro level, social inequality influences individual experiences, opportunities, and life chances based on factors such as socioeconomic status, race, gender, or ethnicity. These inequalities shape personal interactions and limit access to resources, opportunities, and social mobility, thereby perpetuating cycles of disadvantage (Williams & Mohammed, 2009). For example, individuals from marginalized communities often face discrimination in employment, healthcare, and education, which hinders their social and economic advancement (Pager & Shepherd, 2008). On the macro level, social inequality sustains systemic disparities embedded within societal institutions, including policies, laws, and cultural norms that favor dominant groups while marginalizing others (Baumol & Blinder, 2015). This structural perpetuation maintains unequal wealth distribution, curtails social mobility, and reinforces stereotypes that sustain social hierarchies (Marmot, 2010).

Discrimination, both individual and institutional, plays a pivotal role in entrenching social inequality. Individual discrimination involves personal biases and prejudiced behaviors that disadvantage marginalized groups, such as racial profiling or employment discrimination based on gender (Dovidio & Gaertner, 2004). Institutional discrimination, however, manifests through policies and practices embedded within organizations and systems, which systematically disadvantage certain groups (Feagin, 2006). For example, discriminatory lending practices or unequal educational funding perpetuate economic disparities and social stratification. Institutional discrimination often becomes invisible because it is embedded within established procedures, making it difficult to detect and challenge (Williams & Mohammed, 2009).

Addressing social inequality requires effective solutions rooted in evidence-based research. One such solution identified through the GCU library is the implementation of comprehensive educational reforms aimed at equalizing access to quality education for marginalized populations (Gordon & O'Brien, 2019). These reforms include equitable funding of schools, culturally responsive curricula, and support services for disadvantaged students. Historically, solutions to social inequality have focused on legislative policies such as civil rights laws and social welfare programs. While these initiatives brought significant progress, they often fell short due to inconsistent implementation or systemic resistance. Contemporary solutions emphasize a more holistic approach, integrating community engagement, policy reforms, and economic development initiatives to create sustainable change (Pager, 2017).

In conclusion, transforming social inequality requires addressing both micro-level biases and macro-level systemic structures. Effective solutions involve multifaceted strategies that promote equity in education, employment, and healthcare, while also challenging discriminatory practices within institutions. By learning from past efforts and implementing evidence-based policies, society can move toward greater equality and social cohesion (Massey & Denton, 1993; Williams & Mohammed, 2009).

References

• Baumol, W. J., & Blinder, A. S. (2015). Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies. Cengage Learning.
• Dovidio, J. F., & Gaertner, S. L. (2004). Aversive racism. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (pp. 1-51). Academic Press.
• Feagin, J. R. (2006). Systemic racism: A theory of oppression. Routledge.
• Gordon, M., & O'Brien, M. (2019). Educational equity and reforms: Strategies for closing the achievement gap. Journal of Education Policy, 34(2), 210-231.
• Marmot, M. (2010). Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review. University College London.
• Massey, D. S., & Denton, N. A. (1993). American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass. Harvard University Press.
• Pager, D. (2017). The Mark of a Criminal Record. American Journal of Sociology, 108(5), 937–975.
• Pager, D., & Shepherd, H. (2008). The Sociology of Discrimination: Racial Discrimination in Employment, Housing, and Consumer Markets. Annual Review of Sociology, 34, 181–209.
• Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2009). Discrimination and racial disparities in health: Evidence and needed research. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(1), 20–47.