Functionalist Ethnic Inequalities

Question 1

What are the 4 explanations for ethnic inequality?

Answer 1

1. Ethnic inequalities are temporary and the result of minorities failing to assimilate
2. Successful assimilation has resulted in excellent outcomes for minority in the US
3. Ethnic inequalities are the byproduct of cultural factors
4. It is normal for ethnic minorities to be at the bottom of the economic ladder

Question 2

Who said ethnic minorities are temporary and the result of minorities failing to assimilate?

Answer 2

Patterson

Question 3

Expand on how ethnic inequalities are temporary and a result of minorities failing to assimilate

Answer 3

Three causes of ethnic inequalities: host cultures fear of cultural difference of the immigrant strangers and social change they would bring to society, the host cultures resentment of having to compete with immigrants for scarce resources such as jobs and housing and the failure of immigrants to assimilate. Ethnic minorities who continued to practise their native cultural norms and values in the public domain could face hostility from the host culture

Question 4

Who said successful assimilation has resulted in excellent outcomes for minorities in the US?

Answer 4

Parsons and Clark

Question 5

Expand on how successful assimilation had resulted in excellent outcomes for minorities in the US

Answer 5

Due to successful assimilation and integration into the host culture, many successful African Americans have reached a high level of power amd wealth despite living in a majority white nation

Question 6

Who said ethnic inequalities are the byproduct of cultural factors?

Answer 6

Robert’s

Question 7

Expand on how ethnic inequalities are the byproduct of cultural factors

Answer 7

Found Asian groups more likely to be self employed due to strong entrepreneurial traditions however experiences of colonialism on the Afro Caribbean community meant these groups were starting from a different place than other minorities meaning they’d fall into worse outcomes due to these historical factors reiterating that ethnic inequalities are not due to issues with society but ingrained issues within certain communities cultures

Question 8

Who said it is normal for ethnic minorities to be at the bottom of then economic ladder?

Answer 8

Rastogi

Question 9

Expand on how it is normal for ethnic minorities to be at the bottom of the economic ladder

Answer 9

Human capital, ethnic minorities lower position in society is not due to racism but rather the lack of skills and values they can provide to the most highly rewarded sectors in society