key idea 3a: social inequality

concepts + measurements

what is social inequality?

• uneven distribution of resources, opportunities and privileges within society

housing

• housing quality + affordability: condition, size + cost. % in poor condition + overcrowding

• homelessness rates: no. of homeless people/families per capita

healthcare

• acess to services: hospital availability, clinics + professionals. doctor- patient ratio + avg travel time

education

• educational attainment: levels of education achieved by people within population

• quality of education: student-teacher ratio, school funding levels + test scores

employment

• unemployment rates: % unemployed + seeking work

• income levels: median household income, distribution and poverty rates

access to services

• public service availability: access to transport, libraries, social services. metrics; number + distribution of these

• digital access: availability of high-speed inernet + digital literacy rates

spatial patterns: within places

• urban areas: high conc. of wealth + poverty. inner-city may experience inequality due to housing segregation + gentrification

• suburban/rural: less pronounced inequalities within smaller communities but suffer from lack of services + employment opportunities

neighbourhood disparities

• economic segregation: wealthier neighbourhoods have better everything

• infrastructure + services: differences in quality e.g road conditions, access to clean water + sanitation

between places: economic base

• industrial vs service economies: cities + regions with diverse economy have lower levels of inequality compared to areas reliant on declining industries

between places: geographical location

• proximity to economic hubs: closer to econ centres = better access to everything

• rural vs urban regions: rural = high socil inequality due to limited access to everything

between places: government policies

• welfare + social services: robus social safety nets + social policies = less inequality

• investment in public infrastructure: + education + healthcare mitigate inequalities

why spatial patterns of social inequalities vary: economic development

• differential growth: econ development occures unevenly with some areas experiencing rapid growth + others lagging

why spatial patterns of social inequalities vary: migration patterns

• internal + external migration: movements of people for employment/better conditions = increase inequalities

why spatial patterns of social inequalities vary: historical + cultural factors

• legacy of discrimination: colonisation, segregation + policies entrench inequalities

• cultural practices: attitudes towards education, gender roles + support can influence distribution of resources

why spatial patterns of social inequalities vary: policy and governance

• resources allocation: government policies on distribution, taxation + services mitigate/exacerbate inequalities

• local governance: effectiveness in managing + distributing resources impacts inequality