Economics and politics-Race and ethnicity - Essay Example

Economics and politics-Race and ethni Economics and politics-Race and ethni Ethni variable remains the topic of discussion as of the twentieth century second half in social stratification studies. Their inclusion resulted to challenges from both methodological and theoretical points of view. Ethnicity and race issues dominate academic discussion of many disciplines, even multicultural education field and the social-political field (Bauman, 1996). Sensitive interest in the issues is in the response to reality of demographics of increasing ethnic and racial diversity in United States.

Use of ‘ethnicity’ and ‘race’ term vary. People misuse the two terms as if they are identical. Whenever they appear together, people regard them as similar. Race bases on the premise of physical and biological differences. These may appear in elements as the cranial shape and size, hair type, and skin color. Ethnicity on the other hand is a term derived from culture. It is an embodiment of institution, behavior patterns, values, and a whole composite that represents historical experience of people, worldview, and their aspirations.

Social dimensions of ethnicity and race are crucial factors shaping people live in United States. Minority groups according to sociologist concerns political and economic power, or the group’s powerlessness. The social constructions of ethnicity and race are generated to perpetuate or establish certain group privileges. Increase in group identity leads to conflict. There are disparities in the context of African Americans, Hispanic, American Asian, Native Americans and other groups (Bauman, 1996).

The disparities arise in different sectors including, health, education, jobs, residential and other areas. People with poor education, poor health, and poor residential and poor jobs are considered the minority. In United States, there are few problems regarding health, jobs, education, equality and residential, to the well-of people. The disparities are due to varying lifestyle and socioeconomic stratifications that shape life in America. People of varying social status live different lives in almost all aspects; work careers, family and marriage experience, childhood circumstances, leisure, healthcare, education, and neighborhood conditions.

Stereotypes arise because of the physical differences among races (Bauman, 1996). Prejudice can lead to discrimination, although they are independent. Typical discrimination and prejudice against African Americans has foundation in the slavery history in the United States. Asian Americans on the other hand are perceived to be ideal minority or model. The difficulty in African Americans to get decent jobs, education, and decent residential, show how they are minority. This translates to other groups as Latinos and Asian Americans.

There is also discrimination against women associated with certain race and ethnicity. Social classes make things worse by grouping people into the better and the lesser.According to Bauman, (1996) Socialist believe that inequality in economic is bad for the community and the government has the responsibility of reducing it by introducing programs to benefit the poor such as subsidized or free healthcare, free civic education, elderly social security, and high taxes to the rich. Capitalists feel that the government does not use resources of economy effectively as compared to the private enterprises.

Therefore, the society is better placed with a free market deciding who are the losers and winners of the economy. United States associates with capitalism while Western Europe and Scandinavian are socialist democracies (Bauman, 1996). Capitalism is not concerned about equity. It is of the opinion that inequality is necessary to encourage economic growth and innovation. Socialism focuses on distributing resources to the poor from the rich. This makes sure that all people have equal outcomes and opportunities.

Socialism is more of a political system whereas capitalism is a system of economy. Productivity is high is capitalism even though it leads to disparities among classes.Different people have different views about a family. A family can span different households, generations, and can change in responding to different events like children leaving home, remarriage and divorce (Bauman, 1996). Therefore, it becomes easy to define a family by what it does rather than how it looks. A family, cares, supports, protects and loves one another.

Arrangements of family change over time period in response to stages of life, and elements like housing, separation, education pattern, age, workforce participation, age and divorce. The characteristics include marriage and couples, having children and parenting, family responsibilities, adults who are young, divorce and separation, family member death, and family caring (Bauman, 1996). The initial stages appear to be easy and interesting but as family continues challenges come. Some may be difficult to cope such as separation and divorce of the death of a member.

However, the challenges help the family to grow strong bond and care for one another. ReferencesBauman, G. (1996).Contesting culture: Discourses of identity in multi-ethnic. Cambridge University Press. London.