Evidence and examples of areas of inequality related to social class, gender, ethnicity and age in contemporary society

Social Class Inequality

  • Social class can fundamentally shape life trajectories through differential access to resources.
  • Wealth distribution in society is greatly skewed, leading to both income and wealth inequality.
  • Education is strongly influenced by social class, with children from wealthier families often achieving better educational outcomes than those from poorer backgrounds.
  • Health inequalities also exist amongst different social classes. For instance, lower social classes often have higher mortality rates and suffer more from chronic diseases.
  • Social mobility, the possibility for individuals to move between social classes, has been reported to be less prevalent than previously thought.

Gender Inequality

  • Gender inequality remains a significant issue within society despite progress towards equality in recent decades.
  • Economic disparities exist between genders, with women often being paid less than men for equivalent work, also known colloquially as the gender pay gap.
  • Women are often underrepresented in senior positions and decision-making roles within organisations.
  • Domestic and care work, often carried out by women, is frequently undervalued and under-compensated.
  • Gender-based violence is a worldwide problem, with women often being the primary victims.

Ethnic Inequality

  • Ethnic inequality is mostly manifested in discrimination and prejudice which can restrict access to opportunities.
  • Measures of socioeconomic status often show disparities amongst ethnic groups, with some minority ethnic groups experiencing higher levels of poverty and unemployment.
  • Health disparities between ethnic groups can be observed, often related to lower socioeconomic status and reduced access to healthcare in some groups.
  • There is often unequal representation of different ethnicities in media and entertainment, lending to the perpetuation of stereotypes.
  • Ethnicity can interact with other aspects like gender and class, leading to compounded inequalities, known as intersectionality.

Age Inequality

  • Age inequality appears in various forms, often as ageism – prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age.
  • Older people might face discrimination in the workplace, including unfair hiring practices, lower wages, and forced retirement.
  • Neglect or mistreatment of older adults can be a form of age-related inequality, often referred to as elder abuse.
  • Often, extreme societal emphasis on youth could lead to marginalisation of the elderly, jeopardising their social, political, and economic participation.
  • Age-related health issues can lead to inequalities in terms of access to healthcare, quality of life, and overall mortality.