Why are modern societies characterized by social, political and economical inequalities? In other words, why do modern societies arrange people in hierarchies of inequality based on wealth, status, power, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age and physical and mental abilities?
The modern world is characterized by many inequalities. There are two theories as to why social inequalities arose in modern societies, the integrated theory of social stratification and the exploitive theory of social stratification. The integrative theory suggests that social hierarchies are necessary for the smooth functioning of modern society. The exploitative theory suggests that hierarchies exist because one group of individuals seeks to take advantage of another for economical reasons.
Keywords: Racism, Homosexual, bisexual,transsexual, Klu Klux Klan.
[...] Members cannot participate in the decision making process until they are married and their society rejects the unequal distribution of wealth. They enforce the beliefs that people should be equal and discourage showing off. They teach their children fairness, not to envy others and to be equal with one another. Unlike other societies, this so called utopia does accept modern technology and uses it in their culture. Also unlike other societies they do not sell goods to main stream America. [...]
[...] Our fear of them made it impossible for them to function in society. However, this fear eventually died down. Religious groups have always quarreled between each other for religious supremacy, and they always will. Religious turmoil will always be a problem and one should not be judged by what he believes in. Physical and mental ability are a factor in social status because they are a key factor in determining what job an individual can hold. It would be hard for an armless man to get a job as a forklift operator or for a legless man to get a job as a truck driver. [...]
[...] Although social inequalities are an obstacle many Americans are forced to overcome, I myself do not have many barriers in my way. I am an upper middle class, white boy from the suburbs. Both of my parents are white and both of their parents are white. There is nothing that stands in my way. I'm very lucky for this, to not be discriminated against or looked down on. However being who I am unfortunately aware of some social inequalities of others. [...]
[...] It is believed that a person's position in the hierarchy of society is determined largely by achievement and individual effort. Individuals who work hard and dedicate themselves to their work will succeed. However, it is believed that some people are born with a greater advantage to succeed than others. In the history of the United States, race and gender were criteria for what a person could do. Voting, owning land, attending schools, using certain restrooms, areas to live, and marrying certain people were determined by race. [...]
[...] When they became open about it, they were condemned by society and thought of as strange. These people were condemned because many religions strictly forbid homosexuality. The only thing these mixed couples couldn't do back then was get married. Not until recently have homosexuals been able to become married. Men can now marry men and women can now marry women. Although it is slowly becoming socially accepted, demeaning terms are still used by heterosexual people to describe conduct that is thought of as socially unacceptable. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
