Chapter 9

Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity

Chapter Outline Using the Sociological Imagination Racial and Ethnic Minorities Theories of Prejudice and

Discrimination Institutionalized Discrimination Increasing Racial and Ethnic in the

United States

Definition of a Minority

1. Distinctive physical or cultural characteristics.

2. Minority status is reflected in a society’s stratification structure.

3. The distinctive traits of a minority can be judged by the majority to be inferior to their own and used to justify unequal treatment.

Definition of a Minority4. Because members of a minority regard

themselves as objects of discrimination, they have a sense of common identity.

5. Membership in a minority is ascribed. People do not make an effort to join a minority; they become members by birth.

Race A category of people who share certain

biologically inherited physical features. Racists use physical characteristics as an

index of a race’s superiority or inferiority. Despite a lack of scientific support,

prejudice and discrimination are often justified by alleged differences in intelligence and ability.

Ethnic Minorities Cultural differences define ethnic

minorities. Because of their differences from

the host culture, ethnic minorities are subcultures.

They have a way of life that is based on their own language, religion, values, beliefs, norms, and customs.

Attitudes of Americans Toward Immigrant Minorities

Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Relations When people of various racial and

ethnic backgrounds interact, there are two major types of outcomes: Patterns of assimilation- minority

groups are accepted Patterns of conflict - minority

groups are rejected

Three Assimilation Patterns

1. Anglo-conformity - Immigrants are accepted as long as they conform to the host society.

2. Melting Pot - All ethnic and racial minorities blend together.

3. Cultural pluralism - Recognizes the immigrants’ desire to maintain at least a remnant of their “old” ways.

Three Patterns of Conflict Genocide - Mass murder of most or

all of a targeted population. Population transfer - Minority is

forced to leave the territory controlled by the majority.

Subjugation - The majority enjoys greater access to culture and lifestyle of the larger society.

Factors That Influence Racial and Ethnic Relations

1. The nature of the first contact.2. The reasons for contact and

interaction.3. The visibility of minority groups.4. Views held by respective members.5. General social conditions.

Psychological Explanations of Prejudice and Discrimination

Focus on the prejudiced person’s personality: What was their relationship with

parents or significant others? What are their values, attitudes,

and beliefs? How high is their self-esteem?

Psychological Explanations of Prejudice and Discrimination

Two Explanations:1. Frustration-aggression

explanation2. Authoritarian personality

Frustration-aggression Explanation Prejudice and discrimination are the

products of hostility and aggression that stem from frustration.

Frustration is redirected toward a scapegoat that is less threatening than what is causing the frustration.

Characteristics of Authoritarian Personality Excessive conformity Submissiveness to authority figures Inflexibility Repression of impulses, desires, and

ideas Fearfulness Arrogance toward persons thought

to be inferior.

Theoretical Perspectives: Prejudice and Discrimination

Theoretical Perspective

Concept

Functionalism Ethnocentrism

Conflict theory Differential power

Symbolic Interactionism Self-fulfilling

prophecy

High School Exit Exams

Resident Minority Populations in the U.S. According to Race/Ethnicity, 1980–2002

Socioeconomic Characteristics of Minorities

WhitesAfrican

Americans

Latinos

Poverty 7.8% 22.7% 21.4%

Median income

$46,305 $29,470 $53,635

High school graduation

88% 79% 57%

College 26% 16% 11%

Socioeconomic Characteristics of Minorities

NativeAmericans

AsianAmericans

Poverty 27% 10.2%

Median income $21,619 $53,635

High school graduation

66% 86%

College 9.4% 44%

Median Household Income by Race and Latino Origin

African Americans and Voting 2 Reasons African Americans vote at a

lower rate than whites:1. Disproportionately represented in the

socioeconomic categories less likely to vote: working class, working poor, underclass.

2. They have less confidence in the political system than whites and likely to believe their votes will count less.

Latino Population in theUnited States

Native Americans Divided into 500, or so, tribes and bands. Tribal groups are as different from one

another as from the dominant culture. Navajo and Sioux are different nations

with different cultures, social structures, and problems.

Number around 2.5 million, 3/4 of whom do not live on reservations.

Native Americans Approximately 27% live below the

poverty line. 9.4% of Native Americans 25 years

or older had completed four years or more of college.

One Native American member of the U.S. Senate and two in the House of Representatives.

Asian Americans Nearly 11 million Asians live in the

United States, comprising 3.7% of the total population.

Increased in population by 49% between 1990 and 2000.

Their population is predicted to double by 2025 and more than triple by 2050.

Dual Labor Market Theory Rewards for hard work, education,

and training vary. Workers in the core sector enjoy

high wages, opportunities for advancement, and job security.

Those in the peripheral sector are employed in low paying jobs with little hope for advancement.

The U.S. Population by Race and Ethnicity