Ethnicity Inequality Overview

Question 1

Castles & Kosack (MARXISM)

Answer 1

Treatment of immigrants derived from a need for a reserve army of labour, leading to a divide between natives & immigrants

Question 2

Cox (MARXISM)

Answer 2

The idea of ‘race’ was developed by humans. It has origins in capitalism & colonialism.

Question 3

Miles (MARXISM)

Answer 3

Despite being the same class as white counterparts, ethnic minorities are still considered ‘different’ because of their race. By displaying their unique culture, it pushes the white people away.

Question 4

Murray (NEW RIGHT - in support of functionalism)

Answer 4

During the 1960s, welfare reforms led to an increase in the number of black youths losing interest in getting a job.

Question 5

Sewell (NEW RIGHT - in support of functionalism)

Answer 5

A large proportion of African-Caribbean boys are raised in lone-parent families. This makes them more vulnerable to peer pressure.

Question 6

Brewer (FEMINISM)

Answer 6

Sees the basis of Black feminism as an ‘understanding of race, class and gender as simultaneous forces’. They suffer because they are black, women and working class.

Question 7

Rex & Tomlinson (WEBER)

Answer 7

Studied in H

Question 8

Rex & Tomlinson (WEBER)

Answer 8

Studied in Handsworth, Birmingham, revealing that the material disadvantage experienced by ethnic minorities was so great it cut them off from the white-working class group. They were disadvantaged in the labour market, housing and education, worsened by the hostility received from society.

Question 9

Marxist criticisms

Answer 9

1. Not all minorities are disadvantaged in the UK - there are over 5,000 Muslim millionaires in Britain
2. Cox is ‘race blind’ - racism may benefit capitalism in the long term, but there is no evidence that it functions exclusively as an ideological apparatus

Question 10

Functionalist criticisms

Answer 10

1. Marxists say assimilation will remain an idealistic goal that is impossible under capitalism
2. Postmodernists say Britain is multi-cultural and cultures co-exist, so assimilation is naïve

Question 11

Feminism criticisms

Answer 11

1. Emphasises racial difference at the expense of others e.g., sexuality, disability
2. Indian & Chinese pupils outperform others at every stage of education

Question 12

Weber criticisms

Answer 12

1. Over-emphasise ethnic minorities as passive victims of racism
2. Their position is changing e.g., Indian & Chinese pupils outperforming at every stage