Ethnic Inequality And Functionalist

Question 1

Studies for functionalist and ethnic inequality

Answer 1

• Talcott parsons : American negro
• Sheila Patterson: host immigrant model: stages and causes of ethnic inequality
• human capital theory

Question 2

What was functionalist view on ethnic inequality ?

Answer 2

• meritocracy society so ethnic inequalities would decline as immigrants would be assimilation : adopt norms and values of mainstream society/white people and move up the social ladder
• for social solidarity and order

Question 3

According to Parsons: American negro

Due to oppressed groups and experiencing more and more equal treatment what did this mean for ethnic minorities ?

Answer 3

Felt less of need to identify with ethnic group as they felt more and more accepted in wider societies

Question 4

According to Parsons: American negro

Successful accomplishment of the goal of ethnic merging involved what three things ?

Answer 4

1. Commitment to value of inclusion
2. These Values must replace old values
3. Policies must be put in place

Question 5

According to Parsons: American negro

What is a commitment to the value of inclusion ?

Answer 5

Groups and individuals should raise awareness of equality and inclusion e.g Martin Luther King in favour of ethnic intergration

Question 6

According to Parsons: American negro

What is these values replace the old values ?

Answer 6

• Model for understanding societal community must be built
• challenging old, racist views e.g ethnic minorities are naturally inferior
  So new values must be inclusive and based on equality and replace old

Question 7

According to Parsons: American negro

What is policies must be put into place ?

Answer 7

Goverment and all institutions must have policies that encourage inclusion
E.g buisness must accept black workers, universities

Question 8

According to Parsons: American negro

What is parson saying overall ?

Answer 8

• ethnic inequality Temporary
• ethnic groups would become assimilate

Question 9

According to Shiela Patterson: host- immigrant model

What is the host immigrant model ?

Answer 9

• Britain used to be orderly, and stable but this was broken and disrupted by the arrival of immigrants who had different norms and values
• creating culture clash Between immigrants who were noisy and the host who were quite

Question 10

According to Shiela Patterson: causes of ethnic inequality

What did these clash between immigrants and host create ?

Answer 10

Fear and anxiety on the host community, host we’re not racist but unsure about the newcomers

Question 11

According to Shiela Patterson: causes of ethnic inequality

What were the three causes of ethnic inequality?

Answer 11

1. Host Culture fear of social change immigrants would bring
2. host resentment had to compete with immigrants for scares resources e.g jobs and housing
3. Failure of the immigrants to assimilate

Question 12

According to Shiela Patterson: causes of ethnic inequality

What would the immigrants face to due the causes of inequality?

Answer 12

If they practise their native culture could experience hostility from host

Question 13

According to Shiela Patterson: causes of ethnic inequality

What three stages do immigrants go through before they completely assimilate to host society ?

Answer 13

1. Accommodation: minimal adaptation of mainstream culture e.g find jobs
2. Integration: host and immigrant socialise e.g work or become first
3. Assimilation: immigrant fully adopt ways of another culture and are apart of mainstream society

Question 14

According to Shiela Patterson: causes of ethnic inequality

What could assimilation lead to ?

Answer 14

Physical amalgamation

Question 15

According to Shiela Patterson: causes of ethnic inequality

What is physical amalgamation?

Answer 15

Race could lead to disappearance of distinctive features of the immigrant group and their host

Question 16

Human capital theory

Due to rewards and meritocracy how are ethnic minorities disadvantage ?

Answer 16

Ethnic minority = less human capital, poorer education, inequality in workplace

Question 17

What is the evaluation of functionalist

Answer 17

• victim blaming : immigrant host reinforcing racism as makes ethnic minorities the problem and blame tjem but ignores structural inequality
• assimilation will not reduce racism : still will be victims of racism, prejudice and discrimination e.g Cricketer Azeem Rafiq, and his racism he faced
• ethnic minorities want to assimilate: functionalism ignores how ethnic minorities want to keep culture and not assimilate
• assumes racism is temporary

Question 18

What is the evaluation of functionalist

Answer 18

• victim blaming : immigrant host reinforcing racism as makes ethnic minorities the problem and blame tjem but ignores structural inequality
• assimilation will not reduce racism : still will be victims of racism, prejudice and discrimination e.g Cricketer Azeem Rafiq, and his racism he faced
• ethnic minorities want to assimilate: functionalism ignores how ethnic minorities want to keep culture and not assimilate
• assumes racism is temporary
• overly positive
• Marxist says capitalism needs to address or racism will continue

Question 19

What is the evaluation of functionalist

Answer 19

• victim blaming : immigrant host reinforcing racism as makes ethnic minorities the problem and blame tjem but ignores structural inequality
• assimilation will not reduce racism : still will be victims of racism, prejudice and discrimination e.g Cricketer Azeem Rafiq, and his racism he faced
• ethnic minorities want to assimilate: functionalism ignores how ethnic minorities want to keep culture and not assimilate
• assumes racism is temporary
• overly positive
• Marxist says capitalism needs to address or racism will continue