USA- Socio-economic inequality and it's impact on a specific group in society Flashcards
Factors
Income, education, housing, health
LOA
This essay will examine factors to show that inequality exists and impacts ethnic minorities in the USA to a moderate extent
Income
Social and economic inequalities are evident when examining income.
Having a decent income results in a higher standard of living and makes it easier to afford the essential things for living such as food, heating and also luxury items. In 2019, sweat shops workers were only being paid around $4 an hour; well below the national minimum wage of $7.25. This means that many have to rely on charity handouts such as project open, the country’s largest soup kitchen. However, middle class Asians are the highest qualified EM group meaning they can get high paid jobs. There is also a growing increase of middle-class blacks due to well paid jobs in the public sector which could be due to affirmative action programmes. As a result, the black poverty rate decreased by a huge amount from 55% in 1959 to19.5% in 2020. This shows that the affirmative action programmes are extremely effective. So, socio-economic inequalities exist to a moderate extent as there has been an increase in middle class EM, however, there is still a lack of opportunities for many of the underclass which keeps them trapped in low paid jobs or dependent on welfare.
Education
Social and economic inequalities are evident when examining education. Minorities such as blacks and hispanics are more likely to live in poorer areas and attend schools with less funding compared to schools located in richer areas. This can be called a “funding gap”. In 2018 a report was carried out which found that there were funding gaps in 27 of 50 states. This means that a huge amount of states spend thousands of dollars more on pupils in richer areas compared to poor areas. However, some EM middle class families can get access to well resourced schools which means that they can reach their full potential. Some have the money to send their kids to ‘magnet schools’ which put a strong emphasis on stem subjects. Therefore they can go on to attend ivy league universities such as Harvard. For example, 92% of Asian and Pacific Islander students graduated in 2018. This shows that Asians in particular encourage their children to succeed in their education which has led them to have the highest number of graduates per head of population. So, socio-economic inequalities exist to a moderate extent as middle-class children have access to a high standard of education but it the polar opposite for underclass ethnic minorities.
Housing
Furthermore, social and economic inequalities are evident when examining housing. Educational success dependson a number of factors but the schools with the best educational facilities tend to be in the wealthiest neighbourhoods. Ghetto housing areas such as Compton, the Bronx and New York are affected by crime, gangs, poor schools and a lack of shops and facilities. As a great percentage of ethnic minorities are born into poorer areas, they are less likely to get the qualifications needed for a decent, well-paid job which means they are more likely to remain poor in adult life and become trapped in a “cycle of poverty”. However, financially successful blacks have started to buy properties in up-market “gilded ghettos” such as Groveland in Chicago. Some middle class Hispanics and Asians have money to live in suburbs with spacious housing and tree lined avenues. Middle class Hispanics under 35 have seen a rise in mixed marriages which makes it easier to integrate into white suburban areas. This will give them a chance to escape the cycle of poverty and raise a family in a good neighbourhood. So, socio-economic inequality exists to a moderate extent as although middle class ethnics are able to afford decent housing, a large majority still live in deprived areas.
Health
Finally, social and economic inequalities are evident when examining health. The USA is a capitalist country where the government is less likely to interfere with health care. Many people must pay for private health care which is extremely expensive. People living in poor areas such as the Barrios cannot afford hospital bills. In 2009 former President Barack Obama claimed that medical bills cause a bankruptcy every 30 seconds. This shows the effects of rich and poor, and that poor people are more likely to die at an earlier age. However, the government has enforced schemes to overcome this prejudice. Medicare was designed to help low paid adults recieve free medical care. More than 58 million Americans rely on medicare. This highlights how the USA is trying to support those who cannot afford healthcare, but they need to fund this scheme better. So, socio-economic inequalities exist to a moderate extent as many Americans are still not getting the efficient health care they deserve.
Conclusion
Overall, socio-economic inequalities exist and affect ethnic minorities in the USA to a moderate extent. Minorities seem to be the biggest victim of these factors, however more minorities are being given equal opportunities to whites. The US government needs to put in more funding and support to help these minorities, which will result in less poor education, housing, healthcare and income.
