A-Level Sociology - Social Inequality Flashcards

What did the Black Report (1980) reveal about health inequalities?

Health inequalities were widening between classes.

What statistic did the Equality Trust provide about wealth distribution in Britain?

The richest 100 people in Britain own as much as the poorest 18 million.

What was a key finding of the Acheson Report (1998) regarding health and inequality?

Inequality was a factor in health and illness; rich people live longer and have better health for longer.

What was the average salary of top earners according to the ONS (2012)?

Top earners received a salary of £61 p/h (£135,000 p/y), mostly living in London and surrounding areas.

How many people in the UK lived in poverty according to the JRF (2013)?

13 million people, with 27% of them being children.

What qualitative research finding did Gareth Williams (2013) report about poor people's experiences in healthcare?

Poor people felt they were treated unequally in health care, resulting in feelings of stress and worthlessness.

What did Age UK (2020) report about pensioners living in poverty?

1.6 million pensioners are currently living in poverty, with half of all pensioners worried about food and heating costs.

What factors can increase the risk of age-related diseases according to the Department for Health (2016)?

Lack of exercise, smoking, obesity, malnutrition, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse.

What did a Barclays (2015) survey reveal about pensioners' spending habits during winter?

Many pensioners skip meals in winter to pay for Christmas presents.

What prejudice did Denise Lievesley (2009) find among healthcare professionals towards the elderly?

Healthcare professionals displayed ageist attitudes and paid less attention to some cancers in older people.

Which groups of pensioners are most vulnerable to income poverty according to the Department for Work and Pensions?

Older pensioners, women, the disabled, and ethnic minority pensioners.

Not all pensioners are equally vulnerable to income poverty.

What mental health issues are prevalent among the elderly according to AGE UK (2012)?

Nearly ¼ of elderly individuals experience suicidal feelings and depression.

How were youth represented in national newspapers according to Children's Express (1998)?

National newspapers used dangerous stereotyping to represent the youth. Children were represented as little devils and 'kids these days'.

What did Gotfried et al (2013) identify as a political inequality issue in the UK?

The biggest problem in terms of political inequality in the UK was the fall in political participation. They claimed that this gives wealthy and older votes too much influence.

How did Angela Neustatter describe media portrayals of young people?

Young people were viewed in the media as deviant or different, rather than people who are simply younger than adults.

What impact did Conservative Austerity policies (2010-2013) have on youth?

Youth felt cuts of 20%, while those over 40s experienced approximately 12% cuts.

What did the Mori Poll (2004) find about public perception of young people?

Negative media stereotyping led to adults being untrustworthy of young people.

What was the average age of MPs between 2001-2010 according to Feargal McGuiness (2010)?

The average MP age was 50, with only 50% of MPs under 40 in 2010.

What did the Acheson Report (1998) find about mental health in women?

Higher rates of depression and anxiety were found in women.

What did the Millennium Cohort Study (2000) reveal about parental engagement with children?

Parents spend more time teaching reading, singing songs, and reciting rhymes with their daughters compared to their sons.

How do men generally report mental health issues according to Mind (2016)?

Men are less likely to report mental health issues.

What health risks are men more likely to face according to the Health Select Committee Report (2009)?

Men are more likely to commit suicide, be overweight, and die from cancers affecting both genders.

What did the ONS (2016) find about gender performance in GCSEs?

Girls outperform boys at GCSE, especially in arts and humanities, but less in maths and science.

Girls outperform boys at A-level.

What trend did the Higher Education Institute (2013) report regarding university populations?

Exam results have led to female-dominated university populations.

What did the JRF (2011) find about ethnic groups and income?

People (men and women) from some ethnic groups are paid less on average despite similar levels of qualification.

What did the 1998 Independent Inquiry reveal about health disparities in BAME communities?

BAME individuals have higher morbidity rates, particularly Bangladeshis and Pakistanis.

What discrimination did Wood (2009) find in employment patterns?

Discrimination could be seen in employment patterns as some ethnic groups were under-represented in workplaces.

What did the 2001 and 2011 Census reveal about BAME health perceptions?

BAME individuals rated their own health poorly, and migrant heritage groups had high rates of disability.

What poverty statistics did The Poverty Site (2014) report for different ethnic groups?

20% of white people, 50% of black Africans, and 70% of Bangladeshis live in poverty.

Saving Lives (1999)

Heart disease and high blood pressure were more common in those born outside of the UK, particularly the Indian sub-continent.

What do Functionalists believe about society?

They believe society is based on a value consensus, which is a set of shared norms and values.

What is the main argument of Davis and Moore regarding inequality?

They suggest that inequality is necessary for society to function, as not all positions are equally pleasant or important, and rewards must reflect this. Doctors must be rewarded with high salaries because becoming a doctor requires extensive education and motivation.

What concept did Talcott Parsons introduce regarding society's structure?

He introduced the concept of 'meritocracy', where hard work is rewarded and social mobility is possible.

Individuals can move up and down the class system according to their work ethic.

He argued that individuals must work hard to avoid poverty, as inequality is a natural part of society.

What criticism did Tumin have regarding Davis and Moore's theory?

Tumin argued that Davis and Moore provide the rich with an excuse to justify their greed, selfishness, and control.

What structural inequalities did Functionalism ignore, according to critics?

It ignored structural inequalities related to age, gender, and ethnicity.

How do Marxists and feminists view Functionalism?

Marxists disagree with it entirely, while feminists criticize its lack of attention to gender inequality.

What is 'Social Darwinism'?

(Charles Darwin's term 'Survival of the Fittest', in relation to animals).

It is the belief that the strongest individuals in society should become wealthy and powerful, while the weak should be punished.

Those who have the stamina to work hard shall be rewarded with top jobs that have high benefits; and the people who do not possess this work ethos need to be punished with low-paying jobs with little rewards.

What does the New Right combine in its ideology?

Combines neo-liberal economics (free markets and minimal government intervention) with more traditional conservative views on social issues (such as a traditional view on family life, school discipline and law and order).

What did Charles Murray suggest about the poorest in society?

Make up an underclass, who have a culture of reliance on the state.

They choose benefits and reject working. They also have a culture of criminality. They're selfish, lazy, and irresponsible. They seek immediate gratification over delayed.

Which politicians have implemented New Right ideas?

New Right ideas have been implemented in politics, especially by those such a Thatcher, Cameron, and Raegan.

What is 'Trickle Down Economics'?

It is the idea that cutting taxes for the rich will lead them to spend more, boosting the economy and benefiting everyone.

What is the 'dependency culture' according to Peter Saunders?

It refers to the idea that generous welfare benefits trap people in poverty and discourage them from seeking work.

How do Functionalist Parsons' ideas relate to New Right thinking?

Parsons' idea of meritocracy supports New Right thinking by suggesting hard work leads to rewards.

What do neo-Weberians argue against New Right approaches?

They argue that class, power, and party affect an individual's life chances, making success easier for some than others.

What criticism do New Right approaches face regarding social groups?

They are criticized for demonizing certain social groups and assuming people act rationally rather than culturally.

What is the significance of market liberalism in New Right ideology?

It emphasizes economic freedom and the idea that individuals should have the ability to make choices in the marketplace.

What is a key characteristic of the underclass as described by Murray?

They are characterized by a culture of reliance on state benefits and a preference for immediate gratification.

What is one of the criticisms of the welfare state according to Peter Saunders?

It may support poorer people but creates inequality by trapping them in a 'dependency culture'.

As benefits are generous, people do not feel the need to go out and work as they can live comfortably without it. Instead, many of them cheat the system, doing tax-free cash in hand jobs.

What is the 'myth of meritocracy' according to Bowles and Gintis?

It suggests that it is not easy for individuals to escape poverty, contrary to the New Right's belief.

How do Marxist sociologists view capitalist society?

They see it as based on unequal conflict between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.

What did Nicos Poulantzas argue about the proletariat's consent?

He argued that society gained the proletariat's consent to govern rather than using force.

What is Erik Olin Wright's view on social classes?

He believed there are now more social classes, and the middle class exploits the working class.

According to Marxists, what do owners control in society?

They control the superstructure of society by owning the resources necessary for success.

What is the 'Reserve Army of Labour' in Marxist theory?

It refers to the group of people who are the first to be laid off during economic slumps.

What did Ralph Miliband say about the background of those who control society?

He stated that people from privileged backgrounds control society, making inequality essential.

What evidence does the text provide about UK Prime Ministers and education?

Only 10 UK Prime Ministers were not privately educated, and 42 attended either Oxford or Cambridge.

What is Louis Althusser's concept of the Ideological State Apparatus?

It includes institutions like family, education, media, and religion that control beliefs.

What do the Repressive State Apparatuses include according to Althusser?

They include the police and judiciary system that control behavior.

What was Max Weber's goal in sociology?

He aimed to understand the meanings behind people's actions and achieve verstehen.

What are the three dimensions of social inequality according to Weber?

Class (wealth), status (respect), and party (political power).

What are the four classes in Weber's classification of society?

Bourgeoisie, professional class, petty bourgeoisie, and working class.

What did Rex and Tomlinson apply Weberian ideas to?

They applied them to ethnic inequality in the UK, highlighting the alienation of ethnic minorities.

What does Anthony Giddens suggest about the middle class?

He suggests they possess recognized skills based on education, profession, and social qualifications.

How does the working class differ from the middle class according to Giddens?

The working class can only sell their labor and has been disadvantaged by technological advances.

What is the traditional Marxist view of class structure?

It posits that there are only two classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

What is the deterministic theory in traditional Marxism?

It states that people's lives are determined by their social class.

How does Weber's view differ from traditional Marxism regarding individual agency?

Weber believed that individuals can shape their own lives through effort and education.

What is the dual labor market theory proposed by Barron and Norris?

It suggests a primary market and a secondary market, where women and ethnic minorities often occupy the latter.

What does the term 'black underclass' refer to in the context of Rex and Tomlinson's findings?

It refers to ethnic minorities who feel alienated from society due to low class and status.

What is the significance of the term 'alienation' in the context of ethnic minorities?

It describes the feeling of being disconnected from society due to systemic racism.

How does the text contrast Weber's and Marx's views on social class?

Weber acknowledges multiple classes and individual agency, while Marx emphasizes a binary class structure and determinism.

What do feminists argue about the family and women's oppression?

Feminists argue that the family oppresses women due to the unequal division of labor and domestic violence, claiming that gender inequality is created by society.

What is the focus of liberal feminists?

Liberal feminists strive for equal rights and campaign against sex discrimination, believing that women's oppression is gradually being overcome through changes in attitudes and law.

What significant legislation do liberal feminists reference to support their views?

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equality Act 2010, which outlaw discrimination in employment.

What does Sue Sharpe's 'Just Like A Girl' suggest about girls' aspirations?

It suggests that girls' life aspirations are changing.

What is the Marxist feminist perspective on women's oppression?

Marxist feminists argue that capitalism, not men, is the main cause of women's oppression, serving functions like the reproduction of the labor force and the absorption of male anger.

What are the functions of women's oppression according to Marxist feminists?

1. Reproduction of the labor force through unpaid domestic labor (Margaret Benston 1972). 2. Absorption of male anger (Fran Ansley 1972 - 'takers of ****'). 3. Position in the reserve army of labor.

What do radical feminists believe about society and the patriarchy?

Radical feminists argue that society is founded on patriarchy, viewing men as the enemy and key sources of women's oppression.

What do radical feminists propose as a solution to women's oppression?

They advocate for the abolition of the family and separationism, with women living independently of men.

What is 'political lesbianism' in the context of radical feminism?

A concept promoted by some radical feminists advocating for women to live independently of men and form political alliances with other women.

What is the main argument of difference feminism?

Difference feminism argues that women's experiences cannot be generalized, as factors like class and ethnicity influence their experiences.

How do postmodernists view the existence of inequality?

Postmodernists are reluctant to admit that inequality exists, claiming it only exists in people's minds when they compare themselves to others.

What did Pakulski (1996) assert about class?

Pakulski asserted that class no longer exists; society is governed by status differences instead.

What did Jameson (2010) say about people's sense of culture?

Jameson stated that people no longer have a sense of their own culture, leading to brief and often media-created experiences.

What is Lyotard's (1979) view on consumer society and inequality?

Lyotard argued that consumer society makes people feel unequal by creating a sense of lacking compared to others, leading to societal fragmentation.

What does Neil Waters (1994) suggest about advertising and consumption?

Waters suggested that advertising encourages consumption, facilitated by globalization and cheap manufacturing.

What is Baudrillard's (2001) perspective on society?

Baudrillard suggested that society is fragmented, with people no longer sharing ideas and values, and that selfishness is prevalent in a competitive society.

How does David Cheal (2002) view the link between inequality and work?

Cheal pointed out that inequality has often been linked with male jobs, but generalizations are outdated due to the rise of dual-earner families and female breadwinners.

What is a major criticism of postmodernism regarding inequality?

A major criticism is that postmodernism does not help explain inequality and often denies its existence altogether.

What does statistical evidence suggest about the gap between the rich and the poor?

Statistical evidence suggests that the gap between the rich and the poor is wider than ever.

How do critics view the idea of inequality as a personal issue?

Critics argue that framing inequality as a personal issue allows governments to overlook statistics and avoid taking responsibility for addressing the problem.