Social Inequality in relation to ethnicity

Definition of ethnicity: Ethnicity refers to social groups that have a common national or cultural tradition. It can include elements such as language, religion, or shared historical experiences.
Intersectionality: Recognises how ethnicity intersects with other forms of social divisions such as class and gender, thereby creating multiple layers of disadvantage. Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Racialisation: A process where social significance is attached to certain biological or genetic traits. This process intensifies stereotypes and can result in ethnic inequalities.
Institutional racism: This is when discriminatory practices, views, or biases are incorporated into institutions such as workplaces, schools, and the legal system.

Income and Employment: People from ethnic minorities tend to experience discrepancies in income and are often over-represented in low-paid industries.
Education: Ethnic minority students often encounter several educational disadvantages, which may include lower attainment levels, exclusion rates, and access to resources.
Health: There are ethnic health disparities, with certain ethnic groups having poorer health outcomes due to factors like differing health behaviours, access to healthcare, and socioeconomic factors.
Housing: Ethnic minorities are often disadvantaged in housing, facing higher levels of homelessness and poor-quality housing.

Dynamics of Ethnic Inequality

Racial discrimination: Discrimination can lead to ethnic inequality in various areas such as education, housing, and employment.
Stereotyping and Prejudice: Damaging stereotypes and prejudices can negatively affect the life chances of individuals from ethnic minorities.
Post-colonial perspective: This perspective highlights the legacy of colonialism in current ethnic inequalities, as power structures established in the colonial period can still affect ethnic minority groups.
Policies and Legislation: The introduction, enforcement, or lack of policies and legislation to protect ethnic minorities can impact the level of ethnic inequality. Some policies may inadvertently perpetuate systemic racism.

Multiculturalism: This is an ideology or policy model that promotes the diversity of cultural identity within society, aiming to reduce ethnic inequalities.
Anti-racist education: This form of education aims to challenge thoughts, behaviours, and policies that perpetuate systemic racism. It seeks to foster equality and justice in educational institutions.
Affirmative action: This is a set of policies and practices within a government or organization seeking to increase the representation of certain minority groups.
Cultural competence: This refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures. In social work settings, for example, cultural competence is a critical approach to address ethnic inequality.