Sociological Perspectives Relating to Inequality - Literature review Example

Section/# Sociological Perspectives Relating to Inequality The situation in describing inequality, poverty, race, and many other social constructs is the fact that these particular constructs do not lend themselves readily to a categorical identification. The obvious an underlying reason for this has to do with the fact that categorical interpretations of groups is oftentimes flawed; mainly due to the fact that groups are inherently made up of a litany of different types of individuals. These individuals necessarily have their own worldview, approach, background, class, and other factors that help define and constrain them in a way that broad and general identifications and definitions cannot. According to the query for this particular analysis, the student is asked to discuss inequality how it can be described, measured, and whether or not any causal relationship exists between class and inequality. As such, it must be firmly understood by the reader, prior to delving into this issue, that within these three brief questions, to exceedingly broad terms exist: class and inequality. With such an understanding in mind, it should further be realized that any broad generalizations and certifications that can be inferred will necessarily be contingent upon the least common denominator and greatest level of singularity that might exist between these terms; at least within the eyes of this particular author. With this caveat in mind, the discussion will proceed with an analysis of fact and subsequent interpretation of this fact. The first question that this analysis will attempt to grapple with is with regards the manner in which inequality can be described as well is measured. Ultimately, inequality merely denotes a differential with regards to the potential of wealth aggregation that an individual is able to realize during the course of their lifetime. As for the above definition, it can clearly be seen that no indication of inequality and labor, inequality of ability, and/or inequality of access is discussed. Rather, this particular form and definition of inequality is one that is overarching and can apply to a litany of different regions and cultures simultaneously. With regards to actual measurement of inequality, this can of course be performed with respect to aggregating an average income within a particular region, nation, culture, or group, and comparing this average with regards to the standard deviations that exist on either side of the curve (Zheng, 2011). Naturally, the average is only able to be attained by taking into account the middle, and extreme points of income that exists within the system. Yet, this particular approach only helps to measure inequality. For instance, if a particular region, culture, race, or group is particularly wealthy, then a measurement within this particular sector will reveal a much higher average. However, at the same time, inequality will still be judged to exist as those outliers from high income earners will be understood as unequal to the skewed average. Thus far, the analysis has been concentric upon discussing and defining inequality as well as analyzing the manner which potentially be measured. However, measurement of inequality in and of itself does not affect any level of change. It is only by addressing the root cause and analyzing whether or not relationships exists between inequality and other factors within society that policymakers and the matter experts, as well as societal stakeholders, can seek to affect a noticeable and dramatic change with regards to the efficacy that society integrates with these groups. Unfortunately, an undeniable reality that exists is with regards to the fact that there is a direct and measurable correlation between class and inequality (Duran, 2006). Naturally, class is the secondary “generalizable” term that has been used within this analysis. Taking into effect aspects of race, socioeconomic status, privileged birth, or lack thereof, and a litany of other factors, class is something of a “catch all” approach to the way in which society integrates with itself. However, forgetting the dream of being able to better oneself, work hard, and achieve a positive result from this labor, a cursory review of the system yields one to understand that certain individuals have a much easier time of bettering themselves as compared to others (Hurst et al., 2013). Invariably, this differential can be understood based upon class lines. For instance, an individual from an upper middle class, or upper-class family, is invariably more likely to find success in the field that they pursue. This is due to primary factors. First of these is with regards to the overall level of monetary resources that this individual is able to leverage; both from their family and from their own personal efforts. The secondary factor has to do with the fact that an individual from a mid-upper-class socioeconomic or class status is an individual that necessarily has connections which they can leverage as a means of getting ahead. As a function of the class connection, an individual that seeks even an entry-level position in a firm that could ultimately provide them with the continuation of their middle upper-middle-class existence is oftentimes to financial independence and success that society has so oftentimes steamed. Sadly, by the same measurement, and unbelievably gifted student, or young person, that has passed all of the requirements, achieved recognition in secondary and postsecondary education, if indeed they are able to engage with this at all, stands a greatly diminished chance of landing an entry-level job at an established and well respected firm (Baade et al., 2013). Oftentimes, the impact of class is not considered to the extent that it should be. Ultimately, as a direct function of the fact that class has such a definitive bearing with regards to the primary opportunities and employment that an individual might be presented with, it should not be underestimated as a contingent factor of inequality within the current system. Moreover, the previous examples that have been illustrated with regards to an individual’s first form of employment should also not be underestimated. Even a cursory analysis of the business and professional world lens one to understand the fact that the first step in one’s career is oftentimes the most definitive. As such, if a student is forced to take just “any job” directly out of high school and/4 college as a function of paying the bills and providing life’s basic necessities, the overall expectation that they will be able to define their career in any way that they wish to the future is greatly limited. Once again, this reality ties back into class. Accordingly, the reader should understand the fact that a recent graduate from or upper middle class family does not feel the constant pains of hunger, the worry or concern over pain the electric bill, or the inability to provide basic forms of transportation. Moneyed individuals within society are able to provide these needs for their own children; oftentimes for years until they are able to find gainful employment. By means of comparison, the ability of the lower class to extend the same level opportunity to their children is oftentimes nonexistent; leading to a situation in which class has a distinct bearing upon the overall level of inequality that is exhibited not only within the youth but within society at large. Whereas there are my issues that leaders within government and society seek to discuss and ameliorate, the fundamental issue of poverty is one that is so important that it defines many of the other issues that are related to it. In a way, the issue of poverty is so great that it can be seen as the fundamental societal issue of society and humanity in general. Due to the fact that the existence of poverty has direct effects on health, life outlook, level of education, salary outlook, and the propensity to crime that an individual might be tempted, the reader can aptly see the true impact that poverty can have on every aspect of society as well as nearly every aspect of the individual that must live within its constraining reality. As a function of realizing this, the reader can attempt to highlight and underscore the degree to which poverty creates something an alternate reality for the individuals within a society that are forced to integrate with such a construct. Further, it should be understood that poverty strikes at the very ability of the individual to live as the rest of society. In such a way, a key level of humanity is robbed from them; keeping them from having the life that others enjoy so seemingly painlessly. In such a way, the level to which the individual can seek to raise themselves from their unfortunate situation. Due to the fact that access to capital and savings is necessarily non-existent for the individual within poverty, education is also out of reach. Without a chance at a higher education, the level and extent to which they can hope to attain a higher standard of living is all but lost. This hopelessness that is born out of not having any opportunity oftentimes drives individuals living within poverty towards crime; seeing this as an easy means to escape the monetary constraints of the life that they find themselves trapped within. Whereas poverty affects all individuals, not just the ones suffering from material want, crime can be said to affect the society in an even stronger way. Due to the fact that crime necessarily puts individuals within society at risk, it also increases the amount of money that needs to be spent up on law enforcement efforts as well as acting as a cancer and a rot for many cities and population centers around the United States (Deaton, 2013). Lastly, from the individual’s standpoint, poverty acts as something of an endemic rot that slowly reduces the level of optimism that can be seen in life. Due to the fact that the individual is so focused upon meeting their material needs, appreciation for an recognition of the simpler and more profound aspects of life, relationships, and family cannot fully be understood One of the key components of poverty within the current dynamic is necessarily with regards to the ever-increasing population and reduced levels of resources that are available around the globe. Due to the economic downturn, development of further resources have necessarily all but ground to a standstill. What this has created is a situation in which an ever-increasing demand for housing is not being met due to the fact that individuals within the current economy neither have the means more the wherewithal to seek out and purchase, or indeed continue to pay mortgages, on homes and properties that they would otherwise use for themselves and for their families. Although homelessness from poverty has traditionally been understood as a problem affecting only the very lowest class within a society, the events of the past several years have highlighted and underscored the fact that homelessness can affect each and every individual within the system to a profound degree. From a societal interpretation of this particular drawback, it is the onus of governmental and state entities to ensure that the supply and demand for housing are being met in an equitable manner. Though increased levels of government control with regards to the real estate industry is not something that many individuals within society would necessarily want to take place, the reality of the fact is that the current dynamic of economics take nation necessarily demands action on the part of these local, state and federal entities to ensure that the hemorrhaging problems associated with homelessness are ameliorated in the best means possible. By seeking to provide housing and reduce the entry barriers to attaining proper and sufficient dwelling, society could drastically reduce the rate of poverty and homelessness that is so seemingly prevalent within society. Due to the level to which poverty robs the individual and society of the level of humanity that has herein been described, it can readily be noted that poverty represents something of an umbrella term for which many of the societal issues that the current system faces must seek to integrate with. Rather than choosing to grapple with each of these externalities in a separate manner, the far better approach would be to realize that poverty represents the most fundamental harm and seek a better means of reducing its existence and occurrence. From the information that is thus far been engaged, it can definitively be noted that a distinct and clear correlation exists between class and inequality. Although it is true that this is not the only contingent factor that impacts upon inequality within society, it can and has been successfully argued that it is perhaps one of the most profound. Moreover, is also been realized that even though inequality is something of a daunting metric, it can in fact be measured within any particular group, society, nation, region, or class. By categorizing averages, measuring standard deviations, and analyzing the differentials between rich and poor, inequality can effectively be understood in mathematical terms. However, with that being said, it must also be warned that a data intensive analysis of inequality oftentimes lends the researcher to misunderstand the reality is that it portends. Accordingly, from the analysis that has thus far been engaged, it is the distinctive understanding of this author that inequality is a nuanced, class driven, specific, and measurable reality that exists within the current world. Yet, even such an understanding is not even touch upon the manner through which stakeholders within society can seek to impact upon inequality. Although this particular analysis has not provided a prescriptive change for impacting upon inequality, a discussion and review of the determinant metrics that define it has most certainly prompted this author to engage with an understanding of the fact that equal access to education, both primary, secondary, graduate, and postgraduate must be affected in order for inequality be diminished throughout society. Moreover, even a cursory analysis of those nations around the world that demonstrate the highest level of equality necessarily indicates that a socialist government with free, or extraordinarily subsidized education, offer the best opportunities for individuals from any socioeconomic strata, class, or poverty level to achieve similar goals; provided they apply themselves effectively to achieve these goals. References Baade, P. D., Dasgupta, P., Aitken, J. F., & Turrell, G. (2013). Geographic remoteness, area-level socioeconomic disadvantage. Society, 13(1), 1-27. doi:10.1186/1471-2407-13-493 Deaton, A. (2013). Unwinding Inequality. Harvard Business Review, 91(12), 42. Duran, S. (2006). Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Growing gap. Website. Retrieved February 13, 2009 from http://www.growinggap.ca/ Hurst, L., Stafford, M., Cooper, R., Hardy, R., Richards, M., & Kuh, D. (2013). Lifetime Socioeconomic Inequalities. American Journal Of Public Health, 103(9), 1641-1648. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301240 Zheng, B. (2011). A new approach to measure socioeconomic inequality. Journal Of Economic Inequality, 9(4), 555-577. doi:10.1007/s10888-010-9148-x Read More