ethnic groups are more likely to e Essay

Submitted By hannah-sturdy1996
Words: 678
Pages: 3
Open Document
Examine the reasons why minority ethnic groups are more likely to experience poverty
The Josheph Rowntree Foundation (2007) have reported that 40% of the ethnic minorities are in poverty (as measured by the EU definition). This shows they are twice as likely to be in poverty as whites. However, some groups are more likely to be in poverty than others. E.g. 65% of Bangladeshis compared with only 25% of Indians. Marxist, Functionalists, New Right and Webarian theories can all be used to explain this pattern.
The New Right would probably blame the greater incidence of Afro-Caribbean poverty on their larger Families and the fact that a higher percentage of this group are brought up in single parent families. Absent fathers means less control over boys and this produces greater likelihood of educational failure (and later) poverty. Benefit dependency reduces the idea of self-help and makes it harder to get out of poverty. A problem with this is that it’s a rather ‘people blaming’ approach and can’t be used to explain the even greater poverty of groups like Bangladeshi and Pakistanis.
The Webarians Rex and Tomlinson (1979) described the ethnic minorities as an ‘underclass’ (in terms of living conditions) this was during their study of Handsworth, Birmingham, which is a typically poor area of the country . it could be argued that Rex and Tomlinson’s view on the ethnic minorities was similar to what a New Right writer would say, as this study is very people blaming. However, a problem with this study is that it is very old, a lot has changed in the last 30 years in terms of attitudes towards ethnic minorities in society E.g. there is much less racism and less discrimination compared to the 70s. But despite these changes, there are still significant problems in this area of the country. E.g. Handsworth was one of the areas in which the 2012 riots occurred, this could show that not much has changed in the last 30 years.
Marxists such as Beachy, believed that the idea of a reserve army of labour contributed towards the poverty of ethnic minorities. This theory suggested that ethnic minorities, as well as other groups (women) were employed when the economy was booming, but they were the first to lose their jobs when the economy was in decline. A problem with this theory is that there is no evidence to support it. Also it isn’t logical. Ethnic minorities are cheaper to employ so surely they would more likely be employed when the economy is in decline? Another Marxist view could include the ‘product of capitalism’ (Castles and Kosacle) this suggests that racism is deliberately spread by the ruling class in order to ‘fragment’ the working class – to ‘divide and
Show More

Related Documents: ethnic groups are more likely to e Essay

Social Work Essay

unjust use of power against non-dominant groups by the dominant group to exploit those groups to its advantage b. Population at risk - groups that experience prejudice, discrimination, and persistent oppression from the dominant group c. Ethnic Group - distinct group of people who share a common language, set of customs, culture, race, religion or origin d. Ethnocentrism - Orientation/set of beliefs that holds one's own culture, ethnic or racial group is superior to others (the best, should…

Words 867 - Pages 4

Consumer: Ethnic Group and Obesity Essay

work □ * Part time Work □ * Full time Student □ * Part time Student □ * Other □ 4) Which Ethnic Group do you belong in? * White □ * Mixed / multiple ethnic groups □ * Asian / Asian British □ * Black / African / Caribbean / Black British □ * Other ethnic group □ 5) Does it concern you that Britain has the second highest rate of obesity in the world? * Yes □ * No □ 6) Have you been effected…

Words 452 - Pages 2

Essay about Afghanistan Post-2014

well as neighbourhood, particularly Pakistan. Although the latest war (post 9/11) has been a result of actions taken by non-Afghan individuals and groups , main victims have been the people of Afghanistan. With another transition approaching in 2014 when…

Words 3144 - Pages 13

Essay race and ethnicity in prosecution first edition

Research Methodologies ............................................................................. 3 Discretion Points ....................................................................................................................... 3 Racial and Ethnic Categorizations ................................................................................................ 4 Section Two: A Review of Research Findings ..................................................................................... 7 Initial…

Words 9859 - Pages 40

Essay On Emotional Intelligence

little research to date has examined group differences in test scores. In this study a common measure of emotional intelligence (EI) was administered to 275 participants (216 female) to examine how different groups score on a test of EI. Differences were compared for gender, ethnicity and age. Results indicated that females scored slightly higher than males and EI scores tended to increase with age. Group differences existed for ethnicity but favored minority groups, mitigating potential adverse impact…

Words 1938 - Pages 8

Volunteer Organizations Ability to Function Essay

a specific Volunteer Group, but due to failure in participation this paper was shifted to explain the reasons. First there will a history and explanation of voluntary associations. Secondly, it shifts to major reasoning as to why these organizations either succeed or fail. The study of voluntary associations in the U.S. has a long history, dating back to de Tocqueville observation that America is a country of “joiners.” Much of this literature has focused on who is likely to participate (Auslander…

Words 1531 - Pages 7

Exploring the Need for Social Work in Rural Areas Essay

1/15/14 Week 1 American Social Welfare Social Security Act – 1935 Welfare State 50 years – tax wealthy – social programs 1960/70’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Student loans Medicare 1980 began more of a conservative movement Private sector Non-Profits or voluntary groups Aids Homeless Immigrants Domestic violence For Profit Long-term care – nursing homes Day care Psychiatric Substance abuse TANF (Temporary assistance for needy families) General revenue taxes Cash –…

Words 1175 - Pages 5

Multicultural Matrix and Analysis Worksheet Essay

Multicultural Matrix and Analysis Worksheet Instructions: Part I: Select and identify six groups in the left-hand column. Complete the matrix. Part II: Write a summary. Part III: Format references consistent with APA guidelines. Part I: Matrix | What is the group’s history in the United States? | What is the group’s population in the United States? | What are some attitudes and customs people of this group may practice? | What is something you admire about this group’s people, lifestyle, or society…

Words 2280 - Pages 10

The Impact Of Culture On Women's Decisions To University

Appendices * Participant information sheet * Focus group question Chapter I: Introduction and statement of the sociological problem This qualitative research aims to investigate and compare the views of British Muslim women students coming to University. Literature (Ahmad, 2001) suggests that British Muslim women students go through different experiences at university under the influence of culture when compared to the experiences of other groups of women students entering higher education. With…

Words 9480 - Pages 38

Essay on public interest factors for the prosecution

factors should be put to the court for consideration when sentence is being passed. A prosecution will usually take place unless there are public interest factors tending against prosecution which clearly outweigh those tending in favour, or it appears more appropriate in all the circumstances of the case to divert the person from prosecution (see section 5.8). 5.8 Crown Prosecutors must balance factors for and against prosecution carefully and fairly. Public interest factors that can affect the decision…

Words 978 - Pages 4