This assignment I will outline the concept of an unequal society, in addition I will include prejudice, stereotype, labelling and discrimination. In today’s society a population of individuals are treated unequally or is an individual contributing to unfair treatment, in which they are treating them differently due to their race, gender, social class, sexuality or beliefs. In addition In the UK there is a major gap between the rich and the poor, society is divided and the rich share together and leave the poor with little stash left over. Also social inequality is also identified as when opportunities, different social position or rewards are unequal. Prejudice is when an individual is judged by aspects which do not relate to them at all.
Believing sexism will go away without putting major changes in place, is not a reality. Sexism blatantly exists in the work place. Obvious (and most common) examples of this would be: women are often paid less than their male counterparts for the same position, men often receive rapid job promotions in comparison to women and women are usually the targets of gender based harassment. Women frequently struggle with the lack of pay they receive, in comparison to their male counterparts. A woman working in the same job as a man will usually earn less, despite the fact that she may have the same or better training, education, and skills required for the job ("Study Shows Female Managers in Britain Earn Less than Men, and Equality Could Be 57 Years Away."
The concept claims that wealth generated from this division does not filter down to the workers, as the businesses are only concerned in profit making. Exploited, they do not feel their full fair benefit for the work they do, so forming unequal power relationships in society. They have no choice but to sell their labour power on the market and end up being exploited (Mythen, 2012, p108). Gender division of labour focusses on how unequally work is shared between men and women, with many of the jobs occupied by women not being seen as important and are undervalued.
Our culture believes women should be dependent on men and this forms a belief that women need men to survive. Society is plagued with the maltreatment of women such as domestic, verbal and physical abuse, violence, and rape. In the workplace for example women are forced into low paying jobs, and make on average seventy percent of what their fellow males earn (Canadian Labour and Congress). Women also suffer in the sense that two thirds of the world’s illiterate people are women, and morality rates for females are
In other words, dominant social groups oppress or control lower ones, and it is extremely problematic to change social class and status. Many would disagree and claim that men make their luck through hard- working and talents. However, according to Marx, social class which the person was born in restricts individuals’ opportunities. That is not only does luck determine chance
The mistreatment of women in society. Women have been mistreated in society since the beginning of humanity. This is due to them being viewed as property and a gender role assigned to be subservient to men. Some women are sexually discriminated against in their work places and in their homes. Another challenge for women is how they are denigrated in the media and by men.
“Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of social, political, and economic resources within a social collective, such as a nation.” (Krieken, R. et al. 2014, p. 204). Sociologists have identified a number of variables which have an influence on social inequality. These include; class, status, power, social capital and cultural capital. Krieken, R. et al.
Overall it could therefore be argued that rather than partners becoming more equal, women now have to carry a ‘dual burden’, whereby she is responsible for two jobs of unpaid or paid labour. Factors such as patriarchy and conforming to a gender script will lead to these divisions. Secondly, it could be argued that the money management within a family has an effect on the power relations between couples. Edgell argues that the reason why men are likely to take the decisions is because they earn more; women usually earn less than their husbands, and as a result of being dependant on them, have less say in the decision making. Similarly, Michelle Barrett and Mary McIntosh additionally argue that men usually make the decisions about spending on important items.
Women are often seen as less significant than males, as both genders age, stereotypes are placed for them. Males are seen as strong, dominant, rational, independent, and less concerned with their appearance. Whereas females are labeled as weak, emotional, nurturing, dependent, and more worried about the way they look. Due to these issues, females have a hard time being seen as successful in their lives, they often depend on the males for necessities needed in life, and because of this getting an education and a well payed job is tough for women. Also depending on what class you originate from and being a female can be seen as disastrous for their lives, the government sees them as less important and less valuable then men.
Gender inequality refers to disparity between individuals due to gender. Gender is constructed both socially through social interactions as well as biologically through chromosomes, brain structure, and hormonal differences. It is the differences in the status, power and prestige women and men have in groups, collectivises and societies. An unequal share in the distribution of power and influence between men and women. Unequal opportunities for financial independence through work or through setting up businesses.