Socioeconomic inequality in the US Flashcards
Education
College costs in the US are costly with the average tuition fees increasing year on year, meaning that every year it becomes less attainable for Americans to go to college especially those more likely to be in poverty such as black people. This then affects citizens futures as the level of education completed can be important in determining employment and income.
Eg- in 2018 35% of whites and 25% of blacks had completed a college graduation or more.
Education rebuttal
Government policy- Pell Grant Awards which is a state funded award that’s meant to help low income students pay for college + doesn’t need to be repaid. The amount of money received by students is based on different factors.
Eg: in 2000 26% of blacks had an associates degree or higher and this raised to 40% by 2019.
Health
There’s no NHS in the US so citizens rely on health insurance which requires paying a monthly fee. Some may get health insurance through their job so those more likely to be unemployed or on low incomes such as Blacks will be less likely to be insured- which will then impact on their overall health.
Eg: in 2021 7% of whites and 13% of blacks didn’t have health insurance.
Health rebuttal
Government policy- the affordable healthcare act also known as Obama care was signed into law by Obama in 2010. Aim is to slow down the rising costs of healthcare and make it more affordable, allows those 26 and under to stay in parents insurance,
Eg: in 2007 the average life expectancy for black Americans was 73 and increased to 76 by 2021.
Crime
US imprisons more people than any other developed country. Different ethnic groups experience varying involvement with crime and ethnic minorities in particular blacks are significantly more likely to experience crime as discrimination can lead to certain groups being arrested more than others.
Eg- from 2013-17 blacks were 3.23 times more likely to be arrested than others.
Crime rebuttal
The First Step Act is legislation implemented by Donald trump in 2018. In trumps state of the union address he stated that the legislation “reforms sentencing laws that wrongly + disproportionately harmed the black community”. It also aims to rehabilitate prisoners during their time in prison which can reduce their overall sentence and have a positive impact on communities.
