Economic Inequalities Flashcards
What are some of the main causes of economic inequalities in the USA?
Economic inequalities can be caused by differences in education, types of jobs, discrimination, and immigration status.
These factors lead to disparities in income, employment, and access to opportunities.
Example: Immigrants may face language barriers, limiting their access to well-paying jobs.
Who experiences economic inequalities in the USA?
Ethnic minorities, immigrants, and people with lower levels of education are more likely to experience economic inequalities.
These groups face challenges such as wage discrimination and limited job opportunities.
Example: Black Americans and Hispanics experience higher levels of poverty and unemployment compared to White Americans.
. How does education affect income in the USA?
Higher levels of education generally lead to higher wages.
Those with more education are more likely to secure well-paying, professional jobs.
Example: People with college degrees typically earn more than those with only a high school diploma.
How do types of jobs contribute to economic inequality?
Whites and Asians tend to have higher-paying jobs in professional, managerial, and executive roles, while Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to work in lower-paying jobs.
These job disparities contribute to income inequality.
Example: Blacks and Hispanics often earn less because they are underrepresented in higher-paying job sectors.
How does being born outside the USA affect economic inequality?
Immigrants often face language barriers and difficulty finding jobs, which can lead to lower wages.
Those born outside the USA may also lack the qualifications needed for higher-paying jobs.
Example: Immigrants who don’t speak English fluently are more likely to be employed in low-wage jobs with fewer opportunities for advancement.
How does discrimination contribute to economic inequality?
Discrimination, particularly racial wage discrimination, causes ethnic minorities to be paid less than White Americans for similar work.
This issue is especially pronounced for Black Americans.
Example: Black Americans are often paid less than White Americans, even when working in the same roles, leading to economic inequality.
What was the poverty rate in the USA in 2022?
In 2022, the official poverty rate in the USA was 12.4%, up from 7.4% in 2021.
This indicates an increase in the number of people living in poverty.
Example: In 2022, 38 million people in the USA were living below the poverty line, which is roughly 11.6% of the population.
What is the poverty rate for different ethnic groups in the USA?
In 2022, 17.1% of Black Americans, 8.6% of White Americans, and 15.7% of Hispanics were living in poverty.
Ethnic minorities are more likely to experience poverty compared to White Americans.
Example: Black Americans are disproportionately affected by poverty, with over 17% living below the poverty line in 2022.
What factors contribute to unemployment in the USA?
Factors such as recession, discrimination, language barriers, and lack of skills contribute to unemployment.
Ethnic minorities are more likely to be unemployed and face additional barriers in the job market.
Example: In 2022, Black Americans had a higher unemployment rate (6.1%) compared to White Americans (3.2%).
How do ethnic minorities experience unemployment differently than White Americans?
Ethnic minorities, particularly Black Americans, are more likely to experience unemployment and struggle to recover after recessions.
This creates a cycle of economic inequality.
Example: In 2022, Black Americans were almost twice as likely to be unemployed compared to White Americans.
