Social Inequality in Society

Social Inequality in Society Social inequality influences all aspects of our lives. The following

essay will look at evidence highlighting inequalities in society

today. In particular it will focus upon inequalities found between

men and women, referred to as gender inequality. Additionally it will

integrate sociological perspectives such as functionalism, radical,

Marxist or liberal feminism to explain the causes of inequalities and

in particular those found in the areas of education and work.

In every human society there is some form of inequality. In western

society the foundations of inequality are power, economic differences

and social prestige. Social stratification is the term sociologists

use to describe the organisation of these inequalities which can be

likened to the geological layers formed in rocks. Moore, (2001:46)

defines social stratification as the “division of people into groups

based on how much wealth, power and social prestige they have”. In

Western society the main system of division is referred to as social

class and indicates an individual’s economic standing in society,

which can be dictated by occupation and income (Walsh et al

2000:45). In addition to social class, other divisions within the

stratums occur through a process called differentiation.

O’Donnell (1987:231) describes differentiation as “that which makes

an individual or group separate and distinct”. A...

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Richards, Judy (2000) The Complete A-Z of Health & Social Care. Kent,

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Taylor, Paul et al (1998) Sociology In Focus. Lancs, Causeway Press

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Thompson, Neil (2001) Anti-Discriminatory Practice. 3rd Ed.

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Walsh, Mark et al (2000) Health & Social Care. Hammersmith, Harper

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Publications:

1 Connon, H (2001) Old Girls Network Takes on Male Bastion, The

Observer (Business Supplement). 25th November, p4

Office For National Statistics, (2000) Social Trends 30, London, HMSO

Internet references:

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~rmazur/dictionary/f.html

http://www.hewett.norfolk.sch.uk/curric/soc/A-z.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4142812,00.html

http://www.parentingteens.com/curriculum.shtml