Sociological perspectives on ethnic inequality

Question 1

Immigrants are exploited by the bourgeoise for economic gain

Marxism

Answer 1

• Undocumented immigrants may be forced into low-wage work, in poor conditions, with little opportunity to challenge employers (deportation)
• E.g: Boohoo 2020= scandal surrounding conditions in factories= exploitation of undocumented immigrants
• Human Rights Pulse= Boohoo is an example of modern day slavery- 20% of managerial level workers are paid close to national minimum wage, workers= £3 an hour
• Morecambe Bay tragedy 2004= Chinese cockle pickers drowned when they were trapped by sweeping tides, 21 bodies recovered= all illegeal workers

Question 2

Immigrants are blamed for problems in society caused by capitalism

Marxism

Answer 2

• Castles and Kosack= scapegoating of immigrants. 1970s immigrant workers- mostly concentrated in low-skill, low-pay, manual jobs, in poor working conditions. Ethnic tensions within w/c between white British majority and immigrants benefitted bourgeoise as immigrants could be scapegoated for problems (i.e. unemployment, housing shortages)- diverts attention

Question 3

Racism originated because of capitalism

Marxism

Answer 3

• Cox= racism is socially constructed by the ruling class, to justify exploitation of ethnic groups for economic gain. As European nations conquered other areas of the world, they exploited the workforce and justified actions through racism- claiming White Europeans were superior
  Miles= by the end of colonalisation, the type of racism that saw biological grouping as superior was replaced with nationalism. Status/class explains racism and racial inequality- class position of ethnic minority= complicated by the fact they are treated as culturally/socially different. Cultural uniqueness sets some ethnic minorities apart

Question 4

Ethnic minorities face barriers to developing their skill levels (class) in the workplace

Weberian

Answer 4

• Barron and Norris- dual labour market theory= ethnic minorities face low job security, lack of opportunities, in the secondary labour market
• Heath and Cheung- Pakistani/ Bangladeshi ethnic groups are over-represented in low skilled, low paid, insecure, service sector jobs

Question 5

Ethnic minorities lack party

Weberian

Answer 5

• Barron and Norris- trade unions are generally white dominated, are accused of favouring white workers, and are less interested in protecting the rights of black workers

Question 6

Ethnic minorities lack status

Weberian

Answer 6

• Parkin- minority ethnic groups are negatively privileged status groups. Privileged status groups can operate social closure, preventing minorities reaching authority positions
• Rex and Tomlinson- minority ethnic groups experiences of class and poverty has led to a poverty-sticken black underclass, who are isolated from the white working class

Question 7

Ethnic minority women have been ignored by other strands of feminism

Postmodern feminism

Answer 7

• bell hooks- women of different ethnicities/classes have been neglected by mainstream feminism. Other strands generalise about the female experience, when in reality it differs between women

Question 8

Society operates on meritocracy, so ethnic discrimination does not occur

Functionalism

Answer 8

• Parsons- some minority groups, i.e. Chinese/Indian, do better in education and are more likely to enter professional careers. This suggests discrimination is not present within the education system/labour market. It is hard work and talent that allow individuals to enter the top jobs
• Francis and Archer- emphasise educational excellence and hard work encouraged within Chinese families, explaining their excellent outcome. Suggests the blame for negative outcomes lies within ethnic groups’ cultural attitudes, rather than racism

Question 9

Ethnic inequality is based on the fear of cultural difference

Functionalism

Answer 9

• Patterson- society’s (the hosts’) value consensus is challenged by the arrival of immigrants with different norms and values (host immigrant model). Leads to culture clash- causing racism/discrimination, as hosts understandably feel threatened by the ‘alien’ culture of immigrants. Inequality is based on fears of cultural differences and the threat this poses to social order and a resentment of having to compete for limited resources (jobs, housing). Leads to assimilation to the host culture- immigrants shed old values and adopt those of society, meaning inequality disappears

Question 10

Blames ethnic minorities for racism/discrimination

New Right

Answer 10

• Murray- tripod of indicators of an underclass= illegitimacy, violent crime, drop out from the labour force. People from certain ethnic groups (i.e. African Americans living in the US) are more likely to have children without being married, and women are more likely to be left raising children alone- creating a dependency culture= lack work ethic and role models

Question 11

Ethnic minority families are more likely to be single parent families

New Right

Answer 11

• Sewell- 2001= 57% African Caribbean families with dependent children were headed by lone parents vs 25% White families. Many black boys lacked male role models/ discipline. Abscence of a male role model leaves children more vulnerable to peer pressure, so many are drawn into gangs= aggressive, macho, demand respect, reject authority, focus on music/street fashion. Reflected in media= black street crime/ gun culture is emphasised