Essay on Social Inequality in the United States - 701 Words

Social Inequality in the United States There is a high degree of social inequality within the United States. Of most modern industrial countries, the United Stated has some of the richest and some of the poorest people to be found. That fact is very disturbing, however, explains why much of the inequality exists in the US. In the following essay I will explain to you about the inequality in our country and why it occurs, based on the theoretical perspectives of a functionalist, conflict theorist, and social interationist. Functionalist argue that stratification is necessary and beneficial to a society to ensure the highest qualified individuals will fill the best societal positions. Inequality in the†¦show more content†¦The functionalist feels that social inequality is necessary for the society to work as a whole. According to the conflict theory on social stratification, those in the upper levels of a stratification structure hold a monopoly over the communitys or societys desirables and the use of their monopo ly to dominate others. In Imagine a County, it reads about the US school systems that are rigged in favor of the already-privleged, with the lower caste children tracked by race and income into deficient and demoralizing classrooms. Public schools budgets are determined by property taxes, allowing the higher income districts to spend more money than the lower income districts. When talking about conflict theory, there are the bourgeoisie and the proletariats, which in this instance are the wealthy and the less fortunate. The wealthy schools are packed with well stocked libraries, and the poor schools are lucky to have up to date books. This not only causes conflict between the two classes, but a high level of inequality as well. These elements of this society tend to contribute to the instability and inequality of this society. Symbolic Interactionism suggest that humans define situations upon past experiences, and then act on those definitions. The legitimacy of the stratificatio n structure is established and perpetuated through teaching beliefs to the young and enforcing those beliefs. Children are taught that ones place in the stratificationShow MoreRelatedSocial Inequality Within The United States2047 Words   |  9 PagesSocial inequality exists in the United States through the Elite’s power to maintain their dominance in the United States capitalist system. The Elite Ruling class is made of the upper class and this class of individuals share similar ideology and are the members of the United State’s Superstructure. The Elite Ruling Class members of society are the decision and policy makers in the United States. 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