Effects? Ethnic Minorities

Question 1

Welfare dependency

Answer 1

Long term unemployment can lead to ethnic minorities becoming fatalistic about their job prospects and so some may adopt a lifestyle of welfare dependency. They develop attitudes of fatalism, helplessness and resignation in which they accept their dependency on welfare benefits 
 A benefits culture can exist in an ethnic minority community whereby people are influenced not to work by those around them. Charles Murray believes that unemployed ethnic minorities can become part of an underclass in society. This is a subculture with different norms and values to the rest of society. 

They have a culture of poverty which is characterised by family instability, higher levels of crime, drug abuse, dropping out of education and work and dependency on welfare benefits.

Question 2

Social exclusion

Answer 2

Ethnic minorities can be denied access to important areas of social activity through lack of knowledge, discrimination or by failing to appreciate the value of services on offer.

They may fail to receive adequate support from social services, education and health services.

Moreover, some ethnic minority children are more likely to fail at school. Ethnic minority children from poor homes are more likely to experience both material and cultural deprivation and fail to achieve good qualifications at school