The Curve in American Society
Social inequality is present in our society today and dates back through history. A social inequality
suggest that certain parts of society are valued higher than other parts. Social and economic classes
contribute most to social inequalities in America. Social classes are defined by three main
characteristics: wealth, power, and prestige. These defining characteristics shape and mold America
into unequal social standings, and are a huge concern in today's society. To eliminate these issues,
America needs to recognize and address the problems within social and economic classes.
The term power has many definitions and characteristics, but in the context of society the
meaning is the ability to have a high effect categorizing people's place in society. In America,
individuals that obtain a lot of power are generally involved with either business, political, or military
leaders. The select groups of people who are powerful can influence change and install restrictions
on other to make themselves superior to the majority of society. Through controlling the economy,
they have the ability to monopolize, or put restrictions on resources (Sowell). By doing this, they can
keep the wealthy in their upstanding positions and the poor in an inferior class. Military leaders have
the most control over society because they can reinforce inequalities by using weapons, and military
force (Sowell). They use their force to keep standing society maintained and ignorant to the
disadvantages some people face.
Prestige is defined "as your social standing in front of other people to do with wealth and job
occupation" (Webster). People who acquire jobs that require a higher level of education and training
are held in high regards in America's society. Individuals who have a large income are also held in
high standings. For instance, American presidents are of high prestige because they are the head of
our government, and have such a strong influence on our society. This gives them immeasurably
amounts of power which allows them to remain at the highest political position in our country (Hurst).
Wealth is a huge part of an individuals economic and social standing in America. Individuals with
a wealthy background are given more opportunities, and generally have a chance for higher
education to maintain their high standings. People who are of high financial standings are able to
stay wealthy because they can invest in valuable property, or things that will increase because they
do not have the financial stability. This ensures that the wealthy will remain so and the poor will not
have the ability to climb the social ladder. The statistics confirming this inequality are extensive. In
1999,over 34 million people in the United States were poor by government standards and almost forty
percent of these were children under eighteen years of age (Hurst). Hard work does not always lift
the poor out of poverty. Some five million poor children live in homes in which both parents work full
time. On the other hand, those at the very top grasping power have done well. Business Week
reported that in 1999 the average CEO compensation as a large company was 419 times that of the
average factory worker (Sowell). Wealth is one of the main reason for social inequalities in America. It
is not the issue with having money, but rather the opportunities that are given to the wealthy that
are not available to poor households.
Social inequalities are a major problem in today's society, and the main cause of these
inequalities is the division of separation of social classes. Inequality is present and affects everyone
at all stages of life. Power has a lot of influences on the separation of individuals, and unfair
treatment of people from different classes.Wealth keeps social classes and inequalities present in our
society by not allowing opportunities for people of all economic backgrounds. Prestige influences both
wealth and power by defining our social backgrounds. Prestige influences both wealth and power by
defining our social standing by the amount of income, and how we are perceived by other members
of society (Hurst). Social inequality almost becomes inevitable when America is surrounded in a
capitalist society that stresses competition and individual success (Sowell). As a result our society
that stresses competition and individual success (Sowell). As a result or society becomes divided into
sections of disparity and distinction.
WORKS CITED
Hurst, E. Charles: Social Inequality; Forms, Causes, and Consequences.
Publisher Allyn and Macon, Copyright May 12, 2006
Sowell, Thomas: Race, Culture and Equality in America
Publisher Russel Sage Foundation. Copyright July 2004
suggest that certain parts of society are valued higher than other parts. Social and economic classes
contribute most to social inequalities in America. Social classes are defined by three main
characteristics: wealth, power, and prestige. These defining characteristics shape and mold America
into unequal social standings, and are a huge concern in today's society. To eliminate these issues,
America needs to recognize and address the problems within social and economic classes.
The term power has many definitions and characteristics, but in the context of society the
meaning is the ability to have a high effect categorizing people's place in society. In America,
individuals that obtain a lot of power are generally involved with either business, political, or military
leaders. The select groups of people who are powerful can influence change and install restrictions
on other to make themselves superior to the majority of society. Through controlling the economy,
they have the ability to monopolize, or put restrictions on resources (Sowell). By doing this, they can
keep the wealthy in their upstanding positions and the poor in an inferior class. Military leaders have
the most control over society because they can reinforce inequalities by using weapons, and military
force (Sowell). They use their force to keep standing society maintained and ignorant to the
disadvantages some people face.
Prestige is defined "as your social standing in front of other people to do with wealth and job
occupation" (Webster). People who acquire jobs that require a higher level of education and training
are held in high regards in America's society. Individuals who have a large income are also held in
high standings. For instance, American presidents are of high prestige because they are the head of
our government, and have such a strong influence on our society. This gives them immeasurably
amounts of power which allows them to remain at the highest political position in our country (Hurst).
Wealth is a huge part of an individuals economic and social standing in America. Individuals with
a wealthy background are given more opportunities, and generally have a chance for higher
education to maintain their high standings. People who are of high financial standings are able to
stay wealthy because they can invest in valuable property, or things that will increase because they
do not have the financial stability. This ensures that the wealthy will remain so and the poor will not
have the ability to climb the social ladder. The statistics confirming this inequality are extensive. In
1999,over 34 million people in the United States were poor by government standards and almost forty
percent of these were children under eighteen years of age (Hurst). Hard work does not always lift
the poor out of poverty. Some five million poor children live in homes in which both parents work full
time. On the other hand, those at the very top grasping power have done well. Business Week
reported that in 1999 the average CEO compensation as a large company was 419 times that of the
average factory worker (Sowell). Wealth is one of the main reason for social inequalities in America. It
is not the issue with having money, but rather the opportunities that are given to the wealthy that
are not available to poor households.
Social inequalities are a major problem in today's society, and the main cause of these
inequalities is the division of separation of social classes. Inequality is present and affects everyone
at all stages of life. Power has a lot of influences on the separation of individuals, and unfair
treatment of people from different classes.Wealth keeps social classes and inequalities present in our
society by not allowing opportunities for people of all economic backgrounds. Prestige influences both
wealth and power by defining our social backgrounds. Prestige influences both wealth and power by
defining our social standing by the amount of income, and how we are perceived by other members
of society (Hurst). Social inequality almost becomes inevitable when America is surrounded in a
capitalist society that stresses competition and individual success (Sowell). As a result our society
that stresses competition and individual success (Sowell). As a result or society becomes divided into
sections of disparity and distinction.
WORKS CITED
Hurst, E. Charles: Social Inequality; Forms, Causes, and Consequences.
Publisher Allyn and Macon, Copyright May 12, 2006
Sowell, Thomas: Race, Culture and Equality in America
Publisher Russel Sage Foundation. Copyright July 2004
posted by Jenny at
11:11 PM
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