Race and Social Inequality in Education - 1382 Words

Major social institutions affect society, humanity, and prosperity in different ways. Education is a social institution that affects an individual’s â€Å"economic success and social progression (Wright 1368). Throughout today’s society, the level of education that an individual acquires has a large impact on the amount of employment opportunities, job security, and wages that are attained. According to a 2006 study by the U.S. Census Bureau, the average salary for college or university graduates is greater than $51,000, exceeding the national average of those without a high school diploma by more than $23,000 (The Washington Post). The Census Bureau’s study supported the concept that education is a direct link to economic success.†¦show more content†¦Wright suggests that the link between education and income creates inequality in America because the institutional setting of education is not balanced. â€Å"Education is an unbalanced institution, aligned with the values and aims of the middle class and this alignment alienates people of other classes, forcing them to play catch up to the dominant group† (1369). In 2004, 77% of graduates with bachelorâ€⠄¢s degrees or more grew up in middle class or upper class households and 64 % of middle class or upper class households were white. (The Washington Post). Horace Mann referred to education as the â€Å"great equalizer†, but in today’s society the institution of education encourages inequality (qtd in Sadovnik 241). The public schools with students scoring the lowest on national tests and having the highest dropout rates are the same schools that are in America’s highest poverty stricken areas. In the state of Texas, on average the lowest scoring schools are 90% Black and Hispanic and 10% Asian, White, and Middle Eastern (Chubb and Loveless 116). Wright suggests that the high percentage of minorities in low scoring schools may be a result of attendance zoning in most of America’s public school systems: Many American school districts promote segregation of schools by considering the racial and economic make up of neighborhoods and then creating schoolShow MoreRelatedRacial Segregation And The Educational Institution964 Words   |  4 Pagesevery race, gender, and background experience while growing up. Since social class is determined in large part by education, the effects of education carry forward into the rest of each person’s life even after they’ve long left the institution itself (Roy, lecture 10). In his lecture on the institution, Professor Roy adds that education allows for a path to social mobility while also reproducing inequalities. This paradox can be seen in both race and gender – albeit in varying degrees. Race is aRead MoreWhy Race and Gender Inequality Still Exist1101 Words   |  4 Pagescenturies ago, but inequalities between gender and race continue to exist. To analyze why gender and racial inequalities prevail, human capital theory and f unctionalism take into account cultural, historical, and economic factors. In my opinion, the human capital theory presents a more persuasive reason. Although race and gender inequalities in the United States have diminished in the past few centuries, many aspects of these inequalities still persist today. Race and gender inequalities are covert, andRead MoreThe Issue Of Teacher Quality1322 Words   |  6 PagesRace and education are two things that seem to have a very great effect on each other. We live in the land of opportunity, and this land provides â€Å"The American Dream†. However, the American Dream must come with equal quality education for all people regardless of their race. Education is one of the major obstacles today that stands in the way of giving everyone the same opportunity that they deserve. Experts found out that students of color are given less opportunities to receive finical aid, scholarshipsRead MoreIn January 2013 a prominent national US newspaper quoted former Secretary of State, Condolezza800 Words   |  4 Pageshow significant inequality is in America. The social class that you are born int o will influence your outlook on social class and will also be the social class you stay in (Loewen, 1995. 322). 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In today’s British education system there still are significant problems regarding ethnicity and race. The problems include the idea that specific races are not doing as well as their counterparts even though they may be taught in the same way yet there are suggestions to say that the education system is institutionally racist. Can this explain why some races do better than other races? Ethnicity relatesRead MoreQuestions On Inequalities Of Gender Inequality1625 Words   |  7 Pages1. Inequalities of Gender 1. Discuss the various forms of Gender inequality 2. Choose and discuss two theoretical perspectives used to analyze gender inequality 3. Make sure to compare the perspectives and choose which one you align yourself with Kerbo (1994) refer to gender as the socially constructed definition of what it mean to be female or male. Sex and gender are two separate terms. Sex refers to the biological characteristics. However, gender is completely different. 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