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English Composition II: Research Paper Draft 3 1

Research Paper Draft 3

Daniel L. Gray #224648

English Composition II

Professor Aucther

December 2, 2014

English Composition II: Research Paper Draft 3 2

Daniel L. Gray #224648

Professor Aucther

English Composition II

December 2, 2014

Social Inequality

Social inequality is generally defined as uneven distribution of resources in a society.

There are a number of ways that can portray social inequality, for example through allocation

norms which tampers with particular patterns along the lines of categories of people that have

been defined by people (Wilkinson, 2009). Social inequality can also be categorized into

economic inequality. This type of social inequality is majorly studied and basically features

unequal distribution of money, income and wealth.

Besides the economic social inequality and the norms inequality, there are natural and

social resources that are also unevenly shared in very many societies worldwide hence creating

social status. Education social inequality is an example of such inequalities that greatly affect

people globally. Though this inequality is defined differently and viewed differently in every

society, education social inequality always results to uneven distribution of education. Whatever

the definition, educational social inequality is bringing worse consequences within society

besides there being educational gaps. For example, young people lacking good educational

privileges are resulting to negative behaviors, abusing of drugs, theft, and prostitution at a young

age among other bad behaviors.

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Educational social inequality is a global problem, affecting many families around the

world (Abel, 2008). Without equal educational opportunities, then there will never be equal

economic distribution or equal opportunity distribution. The good news is that educational social

inequality can be eradicated and totally avoided. This paper explains not only the definition, and

causes of education social inequality; this paper also outlines means in which the problem can be

resolved totally.

Social inequality in education differs from one country to another. Social inequality, as it

pertains to education also differs from time to time. The author of “Key ideas in Sociology”

(2003), Martin Slattery, describes educational social inequality as the relationship between

highly attained level of education of an individual with that of the parents. Thomas Abel, who is

the author of “cultural capital and social inequality in health” (2008), describes educational

social inequality as the disability of poor parents to pay higher education for their children. He

continues to state that children from poor background perform poorly or fail to attain higher

education because of poor resources attained by the parents. According to Richard Wilkinson,

the author of “The Spirit level: why more equal societies almost always do better” (2010), states

educational social inequality is linked to race and ethnicity with individuals from particular

ethnic minorities who underperform in school in comparison to people from majority populaces.

Kathryn Neckerman conducted a broad research in her book, “What really causes Social

Inequality” (2004). After the research which basically questioned if the current growth in social

inequality had any connection with the growing differences in domains of community like the

superior neighborhood way of living with family. She noted that educational social inequality

was a result of a rising training level with minimum financial aid on students from poor

background. Daniel Dorling, the author of, “Injustice: Why Social Inequality Persists” (2011),

English Composition II: Research Paper Draft 3 4

outlines that educational social inequality is present and persistent because of very limited

resources being shared among too many people. Unfairness of yesterday is today’s inequality

and unfairness of today is inequality of tomorrow (Daniel, 2011). This means according to

Daniel, inequality is a generational issue.

Social inequality in education is different in every country (Slattery, 2003). There is also

a differing effect in every generation when it comes to social inequality says Slattery. In every

country, the parent’s education differs from that of their children (Slattery, 2003). According to

Abel (2008), Social inequality differences come as a result of differing learning structures

worldwide. Abel believes the only difference in education structure is class; rich kids are able to

attain high education, while poor kids only attain minimum education level (Abel, 2008).

Slattery also states that education grows with generation, while Abel, believes education grows

with monetary power.

According to Malcolm Waters, the author of “The Reshaping and Dissolution of Social

Class in Advanced Society” (1996), Educational Social Inequality can be eradicated by the

government creating affordable standards of learning. The people living in different societies

should devise strategies of ensuring all children despite their backgrounds or financial ability

attains good education level and performs well as such (Waters, 1996). He continues to say all

children whether rich or poor have equal rights to enjoying a good education. Failure to

educational equality leads to a number of social and health issues which include obesity caused

by overconsumption, use of drug substances, depression, violence and teenage pregnancies.

English Composition II: Research Paper Draft 3 5

Social inequality is a minor problem that should be solved with the help of governmental

support, through social rearrangement, as well as through coming up with similar strategies of

education regardless of social class (Waters, 2003). Kathryn Neckerman, the writer of “Social

Inequality and What Really Causes Social Inequality”, (2004) who also links education social

inequality to financial differences, when it comes to forming a solution to the problem, she

suggests that the government should come up with an agenda to conduct investigative research

on the issue to help in formulating a solution.

A majority of the people believe that education is incoherent. On the other hand, it is

evident that children have a varying educational footing. Nevertheless, educational institutions

should be the one place where education is equal for every child. It is wrong for children to have

their education determined by their backgrounds or family situations. Many people are looking

forward to having an educational system that is equal for all. The systems within most schools is

seen by majority of people as personification of meritocracy. It is important that every child goes

through the system of education without being associated with the family’s background and

financial strength, ethnicity or race, or even their gender (Neckerman, 2004).

It is unfortunate that many schools in our nation have been accelerating the problem of

social inequality. The schools should be at the forefront to play the role of addressing or

rebuking social inequalities. School performances like standardized tests of children should

never be associated with their family setting, their race or ethnicity, and their socioeconomic

position, but unfortunately most of the performances have been measured using these criteria

(Wilkinson, 2010). It is evident that majority of the bright children from the socially excluded

groups end up not achieving their goals because of the bias that is going on in schools.

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Young children never begin schooling as equals. Even at the kindergarten level, there is

cognitive status. It is unfortunate that this status, which mostly is supposed to be measured with

correct tests of knowledge and skills, is majorly associated with the families’ background

(Daniel, 2011). The United States government’s current and countrywide representative data

especially the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Cohort, clearly shows how

American children’s social setting is connected with their cognitive rank as they embark on their

experience of formal school.

It has been proven that educational social inequality is generally leading to overall school

failures. There have been reported poor performances from poor children, children that are not

white, and those that do not understand English (Neckerman, 2004). School success is

determined greatly by social background of the children. As students continue to climb the

ladder of education, social inequality in their education rises. This is because of difference in

educational experiences at the early schools like the kindergarten, and junior schools. As the

level of education rises, then the fees or money required also rises causing more difficulty for

poor children to continue. The standard of education can be improved if social standing can be

eliminated in schools.

English Composition II: Research Paper Draft 3 7

References

Abel, T. (2008). Culture capital and social inequality in health. Journal of Epidemiology and

Community Health

Dorling, D. (2011). Injustice: why social inequality persist. The policy press, the University of

Bristol

Neckerman, K. (2004). Social inequality; what really causes social inequality. The Oxford

University library

Slattery, M. (2003). Key ideas in Sociology. Nelson Thornes Ltd.

Waters, M. (1996). The reshaping and dissolution of social class in advanced society. Theory

and Society

Wilkinson, R. (2009). The Spirit level: why more equal societies almost always do better. Allen

Lane