Social Inequality in Canada PDF

What is social inequality: ​ Existence of opportunities and rewards for different people in society ​ Based on social position/status ​ Results in unequal distributions of goods, wealth, opportunities, rewards, punishments ​ Happens all over the world 2 main ways to measure social inequalit...

What is social inequality: ​ Existence of opportunities and rewards for different people in society ​ Based on social position/status ​ Results in unequal distributions of goods, wealth, opportunities, rewards, punishments ​ Happens all over the world 2 main ways to measure social inequality: ​ Inequalities of opportunities ○​ Not everyone has equal distribution of life chances ○​ Gender, race, age, sexuality, identity, disability, etc ​ Inequalities of conditions ○​ Unequal distribution of income, wealth, material goods ○​ Example: economy, ownership, generational wealth, housing, etc ○​ Social stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society ​ Wealth, power, prestige can arrange social stratification ○​ We assume canada is a meritocracy Systems of stratification: ​ Caste ​ Clan ​ Slavery ○​ Ownership of people ○​ Colonial abolished in 1800’s ○​ Slavery today is known as human trafficking ​ Forced labour ​ Sexual exploitation ​ Class ○​ System of social ranking based on economic position within the society ○​ People are born into class (ascribed status) ○​ But people can move within the system (achieved status) Class in Canada - The elites ○​ Have the most wealth and power ○​ Most social networks ​ Private schools ​ Expensive clubs ​ Communities Class in Canada - The middle class ​ No clear definition (you are not rich and you are not poor) ​ Earn between $45,000 - $120,000 ​ 8 out of 10 Canadians say they are middle-class ​ Economic growth in this group is much slower than in elites ​ Researchers argue the middle class is disappearing in Canada Class in Canada - The Poor ​ 10% of Canadians live in poverty ​ 1 in 4 are children ​ Indigenous, racialized, disability, single parent families, seniors, youth, 2SLGBTQ+ ​ Hidden poverty: earn above the poverty line, but cannot afford adequate food, utility bills, childcare, and other necessities ​ The way that homelessness is trending in Canada, is only going up and getting worse ​ Groceries are rising in price for family ○​ More canadians are now going to food banks ​ Hunger count report 2023: ○​ 17% of food bank users had jobs ○​ 1/3 of food bank users are considered children ○​ 40% are racialized ○​ 50% indigenous ○​ 15% white ○​ 1.9 million in Canada across for the month of march 2023 ○​ 1 million in one month in ontario alone Understanding poverty: ​ Functionalism and social inequality ○​ Inequality is inevitable and desirable ○​ Plays an important function in society ○​ Certain positions in society require more training, skill, education ​ Therefore should receive more rewards ○​ Social inequality and social stratification lead to meritocracy based on ability ​ Conflict theory and social Inequality ○​ Inequality as results from groups with power dominating less powerful groups ○​ Social inequality prevents and hinders societal progress ○​ Those in power repress the powerless people to maintain the status quo ○​ Work of domination is achieved preliminary through the power of ​ Ideology ​ Values and norms ​ Beliefs ​ Worldview ​ Classism: ○​ The Canadian (or american dream) ○​ Bias, prejudice and discrimination based on social class ​ Blaming the Victim: ○​ People are responsible for negative situations that arise in their lives ○​ Culture of poverty ​ Understanding poverty: Classism: -​ The Canadian dream -​ Bias, prejudice, and discrimination based on social class Blaming the victim: -​ People are responsible for negative situations that arise in their lives -​ Culture of poverty Blaming the system: -​ Policies, laws, and economic systems to blame -​ Systemic discrimination People who have the greatest stake in systems if social stratification, greater power, and social status will endorse poverty myths: -​ Single moms are the problem -​ Poor people are lazy -​ If you're not officially poor you're doing okay. -​ Go to post secondary you’ll break the stigma -​ The days of old ladies eating cat food are over -​ The homeless are alcoholics or drug addicts -​ The unhoused want to be on the street -​ The social assistance is bankrupting us