Social And Economic Equality in the USA. Aims: Examine the reasons why many Americans are facing inequalities and have not achieved the American Dream.

Social And Economic Social And Economic Equality in the USAEquality in the USA

Aims:Aims:

Examine the reasons why many Examine the reasons why many Americans are facing inequalities and Americans are facing inequalities and have not achieved the American have not achieved the American Dream.Dream.

The American DreamThe American Dream

In groups make up a list of famous In groups make up a list of famous

Americans who you think have Americans who you think have achieved achieved

the American dream!!the American dream!!

American Dream or American Dream or Nightmare?Nightmare?

Millions of American cannot afford to go to the doctor

Many Americans are living in slum housing

Millions of Americans do not finish school

Millions of Americans are unemployed

Thousands of Americans are murdered each year

The American RealityThe American Reality

Many Americans have Many Americans have notnot achieved the achieved the

American Dream and American Dream and face social and face social and

economic inequalitieseconomic inequalities..

This affects people from all ethnic groups This affects people from all ethnic groups

BUTBUT ethnic minorities are ethnic minorities are more likelymore likely to to

face inequality.face inequality.

Crime in the USA

AimsAims::

• Justice is not equal for everyone in Justice is not equal for everyone in the USAthe USA

• African Americans are more likely to African Americans are more likely to be involved in crime and be victims be involved in crime and be victims of crimeof crime

Crime in the USA

• USA is known for its high crime rates USA is known for its high crime rates particularly its high murder rate and particularly its high murder rate and crimes involving guns.crimes involving guns.

• In the past 10 years crime rates have In the past 10 years crime rates have dropped in the USA.dropped in the USA.

• This is due to a big increase in the number This is due to a big increase in the number of police on the streets and much harsher of police on the streets and much harsher sentences for criminals.sentences for criminals.

• BUTBUT the USA is still a more violent society the USA is still a more violent society than the UK.than the UK.

Crime in the USA• 12 children are killed each day by gunfire.12 children are killed each day by gunfire.• The murder rate:The murder rate:

USAUSA 55 per million people per year55 per million people per yearUKUK 4.5 per million people per year4.5 per million people per year

• Concern about the number of high Concern about the number of high school/college shootings e.g. Virginia Tech school/college shootings e.g. Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 where 32 people were killed.shooting in 2007 where 32 people were killed.

• Number of inmates in US prisons has increased Number of inmates in US prisons has increased dramatically.dramatically.

Ghetto Areas

Crime rates are particularly high in the cities Crime rates are particularly high in the cities

(urban areas). A (urban areas). A ghettoghetto is a run-down area in is a run-down area in a a

city. Ghettos have high rates of poverty, city. Ghettos have high rates of poverty,

unemployment and crime. unemployment and crime.

Over 60% of Over 60% of African AmericansAfrican Americans live in inner live in inner

city areas. This helps to explain why they are city areas. This helps to explain why they are

more likely to be affected by crime.more likely to be affected by crime.

Read Read page 96page 96 in your USA textbook and answer the in your USA textbook and answer the questions which follow:questions which follow:

1.1. Explain why the cost of hiring a lawyer prevents Explain why the cost of hiring a lawyer prevents some Americans from having equal access to some Americans from having equal access to justice.justice.

2.2. What evidence is there that blacks are not What evidence is there that blacks are not treated equally by the legal system.treated equally by the legal system.

3.3. Which state has the highest number of Which state has the highest number of executions? Give evidence to support your executions? Give evidence to support your answer.answer.

4.4. ‘The death penalty is less likely to be used if the ‘The death penalty is less likely to be used if the homicide (murder) victim is from an ethnic homicide (murder) victim is from an ethnic minority group’ Using Figure 4.12 what minority group’ Using Figure 4.12 what evidence is there to support this view.evidence is there to support this view.

5.5. Using the evidence on Using the evidence on page 98page 98 what evidence is what evidence is there that blacks are more likely to be:there that blacks are more likely to be:

a)a) involved in crimeinvolved in crimeb)b) victims of crime.victims of crime.

Health Care in the USA

AimsAims::

• To identify how Americans pay for To identify how Americans pay for healthcare.healthcare.

• Examine the reasons why some Examine the reasons why some Americans face inequalities in health.Americans face inequalities in health.

Group TaskGroup Task::

As a group write down examples of As a group write down examples of times times

that you have used health care in the that you have used health care in the UK:UK:

E.g.E.g. In hospital to have appendix outIn hospital to have appendix out

Paying For Health Care

PRIVATE INSURANCEPRIVATE INSURANCE

• You pay ORYou pay OR• Employer paysEmployer pays

Problems:Problems:• Expensive.Expensive.• People are People are

underinsured – not underinsured – not covered for every type covered for every type of treatmentof treatment

GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

• Medicare – over 65sMedicare – over 65s• Medicaid – poorMedicaid – poor

Problems:Problems:• Not all treatments are Not all treatments are

covered.covered.• Some doctors/hospitals Some doctors/hospitals

refuse to treat yourefuse to treat you

The Cost of Health Insurance

In the USA it costs the average family In the USA it costs the average family

$9,100 a year for health insurance.$9,100 a year for health insurance.

This is roughly £6,000 pounds!! Could This is roughly £6,000 pounds!! Could

your family afford this?your family afford this?

Healthcare in the USA

• 58%58% of the US population are of the US population are covered by some level of private covered by some level of private insurance.insurance.

• 15%15% have no insurance cover. have no insurance cover.• 27%27% depended on government depended on government

programmes.programmes.• 11%11% of children in the USA are of children in the USA are

without health insurance.without health insurance.

Consequences of Being Uninsured

• Lack of routine care which detects and Lack of routine care which detects and cures health problems before they become cures health problems before they become serious.serious.

• Only getting medical help when a Only getting medical help when a condition is serious.condition is serious.

• Twice as likely as an insured patient to be Twice as likely as an insured patient to be at risk of dying when you get to hospital.at risk of dying when you get to hospital.

• Less access to high cost technology which Less access to high cost technology which can provide treatments which might help can provide treatments which might help to save your life.to save your life.

Rising Cost of Health Insurance

People live longer

Doctors are paid high salaries

New treatments are more expensive

Doctors take out expensive insurance

policies in case a patient sues

them

Healthcare in the USA

Read page 99 and answer the following questions:Read page 99 and answer the following questions:

1.1. Briefly outline the US healthcare system – mention Briefly outline the US healthcare system – mention private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.

2.2. Do all Americans have equality in healthcare? Do all Americans have equality in healthcare? Provide at least two pieces of evidence to support Provide at least two pieces of evidence to support your answer.your answer.

3.3. ‘‘Ethnic minorities are more likely to be uninsured Ethnic minorities are more likely to be uninsured compared to white Americans’ Using Table 4.12 compared to white Americans’ Using Table 4.12 what evidence is there to support this statement.what evidence is there to support this statement.

4.4. What are the consequences of being uninsured?What are the consequences of being uninsured?5.5. What are the main disadvantages of the Medicare What are the main disadvantages of the Medicare

and Medicaid scheme?and Medicaid scheme?

Inequalities in Health

Due to the different health care system Due to the different health care system in the USA there are huge inequalities in the USA there are huge inequalities between ethnic groups. African Americans and between ethnic groups. African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to have:Hispanics are more likely to have:

• No health insuranceNo health insurance• Lower life expectancyLower life expectancy• Higher infant mortality ratesHigher infant mortality rates• Higher rates of low birth rates among babies Higher rates of low birth rates among babies

Education in the USAEducation in the USA

AimsAims::

• Schools in inner city areas (ghettos) Schools in inner city areas (ghettos) have a poorer standard of education.have a poorer standard of education.

• White Americans achieve more White Americans achieve more success in education than ethnic success in education than ethnic minorities.minorities.

EducationEducation

Success Success Lack of SuccessLack of Success

Employment Employment UnemploymentUnemployment

Good Income Good Income Low IncomeLow Income

Success in education will affect the overall Success in education will affect the overall quality of a person’s life.quality of a person’s life.

Types of SchoolsTypes of Schools

Inner City Schools:Inner City Schools:

* Poor buildings* Poor buildings

* Teacher shortage* Teacher shortage

* Less access to * Less access to computers/equipmentcomputers/equipment

*Armed police officers *Armed police officers on siteon site

* Higher drop-out rates* Higher drop-out rates

Wealthy SuburbsWealthy Suburbs::

*State of the art *State of the art buildingsbuildings

*Specialised teachers*Specialised teachers

*Sophisticated *Sophisticated equipmentequipment

*Little or no drop-out *Little or no drop-out raterate

*High achievement in *High achievement in national tests.national tests.

Inequalities in EducationInequalities in Education

% of High School Graduates Unemployed% of High School Graduates Unemployed::

WhitesWhites 7%7%

BlacksBlacks 15%15%

HispanicsHispanics 33%33%

Even when whites/blacks achieve success in Even when whites/blacks achieve success in the the

same areas of work, same areas of work, whites earn more than whites earn more than

blacks.blacks.

Employment and Employment and UnemploymentUnemployment

Aims:Aims:

• Identify the effects of unemploymentIdentify the effects of unemployment• Identify the main inequalities in Identify the main inequalities in

employment and unemploymentemployment and unemployment

Unemployment

Poverty Crime

Poor Housing

Poor Health

Poor Education

Employment and Employment and UnemploymentUnemployment

Other Points:Other Points:

• Income levels of ethnic minorities are Income levels of ethnic minorities are lower e.g. Blacks on average earns lower e.g. Blacks on average earns two-two-thirdsthirds of what a White American earns. of what a White American earns.

• Even when Blacks and Whites have Even when Blacks and Whites have equalequal qualifications, Black earnings are qualifications, Black earnings are lowerlower..

• There is discrimination in the workplace There is discrimination in the workplace against ethnic minorities when it comes against ethnic minorities when it comes to to hiringhiring and and promotingpromoting staff. staff.

PovertyPoverty

Aims:Aims:

• Identify the causes of povertyIdentify the causes of poverty• Identify the main inequalities in Identify the main inequalities in

povertypoverty• Understand how a ‘circle of Understand how a ‘circle of

deprivation’ affects many Americans.deprivation’ affects many Americans.

Causes of Poverty

Unemployment

Poor Education

Discrimination Welfare

Cutbacks

Single parent families

Circle of DeprivationCircle of Deprivation

Many Americans find themselves trapped Many Americans find themselves trapped

in a circle of deprivation – children grow in a circle of deprivation – children grow

up facing the same social and economic up facing the same social and economic

inequalities as their parents with little inequalities as their parents with little

chance of achieving the American Dream.chance of achieving the American Dream.

Living in inner cities of US cities are the Living in inner cities of US cities are the

‘‘underclass’ – people facing extreme poverty and underclass’ – people facing extreme poverty and

more likely to be out of work, living on welfare more likely to be out of work, living on welfare

benefits and involved in crime. benefits and involved in crime.

Housing in the USAHousing in the USA

AimsAims::

Identify the inequalities in housing in Identify the inequalities in housing in the USA.the USA.

Housing in USAHousing in USA Ethnic minorities are more likely to live in Ethnic minorities are more likely to live in

the inner cities in poor housing.the inner cities in poor housing. Just under half of all Blacks and Hispanics Just under half of all Blacks and Hispanics

own their homes compared to whites.own their homes compared to whites. Blacks/Hispanics find it more difficult to Blacks/Hispanics find it more difficult to

get a mortgage – they have lower incomes get a mortgage – they have lower incomes than most other groups.than most other groups.

Banks often discriminate against people Banks often discriminate against people with a ghetto with a ghetto zipcodezipcode (postcode). They (postcode). They believe they will have difficult getting believe they will have difficult getting loans repaid.loans repaid.

Segregation in HousingSegregation in Housing During the past 40 years Whites have left the During the past 40 years Whites have left the

inner cities for a better quality of life in the inner cities for a better quality of life in the suburbs and to escape the growing population of suburbs and to escape the growing population of Blacks and Hispanics.Blacks and Hispanics.

This has led to segregation in the inner cities with This has led to segregation in the inner cities with certain areas dominated by Blacks or Hispanics.certain areas dominated by Blacks or Hispanics.

Some of the most segregated cities are New York, Some of the most segregated cities are New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.Chicago and Philadelphia.

There is even segregation in the wealthier There is even segregation in the wealthier suburbs. Many white communities have tried to suburbs. Many white communities have tried to control the buying and selling of local homes.control the buying and selling of local homes.

Studies have shown when the ethnic minority Studies have shown when the ethnic minority population in an area exceeds 8%, whites move population in an area exceeds 8%, whites move out. This is known as ‘white flight’.out. This is known as ‘white flight’.

Types of HousingTypes of Housing

Inner City Inner City GhettoGhetto

Inner City Inner City ApartmentsApartments

Middle Middle Class Class

SuburbsSuburbs

High Class High Class SuburbsSuburbs

Family LifeFamily Life In the USA divorce rates are rising and the number of In the USA divorce rates are rising and the number of

single parent families is increasing.single parent families is increasing. 30% of blacks are middle class and have a traditional 30% of blacks are middle class and have a traditional

family structure – two parents and two children.family structure – two parents and two children. In the ghetto, over 80% of families are headed by a In the ghetto, over 80% of families are headed by a

single parent and only 11% are headed by two single parent and only 11% are headed by two parents.parents.

In total only 36% of black children live with both In total only 36% of black children live with both parents.parents.

Single parents are more likely to be unemployed and Single parents are more likely to be unemployed and living on welfare. Their children are less likely to do living on welfare. Their children are less likely to do well at school, more likely to be involved in crime well at school, more likely to be involved in crime and lack positive male role models in their life.and lack positive male role models in their life.

Family life is very important in the Hispanic Family life is very important in the Hispanic community – 64% of children grow up in a two-parent community – 64% of children grow up in a two-parent familyfamily

What Causes Social and What Causes Social and Economic InequalityEconomic Inequality??

AimsAims::

Identify the main causes of social Identify the main causes of social and economic inequality in the USA.and economic inequality in the USA.

Examine the evidence that ethnic Examine the evidence that ethnic minorities have made social and minorities have made social and economic progress.economic progress.

Causes of InequalityCauses of Inequality UnemploymentUnemployment: higher levels of : higher levels of

unemployment among ethnic minorities.unemployment among ethnic minorities. EducationEducation: less ethnic minorities finish : less ethnic minorities finish

high school and/or college.high school and/or college. DiscriminationDiscrimination: particularly against ethnic : particularly against ethnic

minorities in the workforce.minorities in the workforce. Family StructureFamily Structure: higher numbers of single : higher numbers of single

parent families among ethnic minorities parent families among ethnic minorities increases the chances of poverty.increases the chances of poverty.

Welfare CutbacksWelfare Cutbacks: Ethnic minorities are : Ethnic minorities are more likely to rely on benefits.more likely to rely on benefits.

Causes of InequalityCauses of Inequality Affirmative Action ProgrammesAffirmative Action Programmes: these have : these have

been cut back by the government and been cut back by the government and challenged by courts.challenged by courts.

Lack of Political Participation and Lack of Political Participation and RepresentationRepresentation: ethnic minorities are less : ethnic minorities are less likely to vote, so political parties do not likely to vote, so political parties do not ‘chase’ their votes as much as the white ‘chase’ their votes as much as the white vote.vote.

CostCost: tackling inequalities cost money and : tackling inequalities cost money and political parties are reluctant to raise taxes.political parties are reluctant to raise taxes.

White Flight/Circle of DeprivationWhite Flight/Circle of Deprivation: increase : increase poverty in US cities.poverty in US cities.

Economic and Social Economic and Social ProgressProgress

Poverty levels for ethnic minorities Poverty levels for ethnic minorities have dropped compared to the 1950s.have dropped compared to the 1950s.

More ethnic minorities are finishing More ethnic minorities are finishing high school, going to college and high school, going to college and getting into professional well-paid jobs.getting into professional well-paid jobs.

Income levels have improved – a Income levels have improved – a greater % of Blacks are classed as greater % of Blacks are classed as ‘middle class’.‘middle class’.

Home ownership levels have also risen.Home ownership levels have also risen.

Economic and Social Economic and Social ProgressProgress

Despite the progress that has been Despite the progress that has been made made

ethnic minorities are still ethnic minorities are still more likelymore likely to to

face economic and social inequality face economic and social inequality and and

less likelyless likely to achieve the American to achieve the American Dream.Dream.

Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action

AimsAims::

Examine the importance of the Civil Examine the importance of the Civil Rights Movement.Rights Movement.

Define Affirmative ActionDefine Affirmative Action Identify examples of Affirmative Identify examples of Affirmative

Action Programmes (AAPs)Action Programmes (AAPs)

The Civil Rights The Civil Rights MovementMovement

In the past ethnic minorities were treated In the past ethnic minorities were treated as second-class citizens in the USA and did as second-class citizens in the USA and did not have equal rights with whites.not have equal rights with whites.

In the 1950s/1960s the Civil Rights In the 1950s/1960s the Civil Rights Movements campaigned for Blacks (and all Movements campaigned for Blacks (and all other minorities) to have equal rights.other minorities) to have equal rights.

One of the most famous civil rights leaders One of the most famous civil rights leaders was Martin Luther King.was Martin Luther King.

Changes in the law were introduced in the Changes in the law were introduced in the 1960s to ensure that all Americans had 1960s to ensure that all Americans had equality.equality.

Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action

In the 1970s Affirmative Action In the 1970s Affirmative Action Programmes were introduced by the Programmes were introduced by the federal government.federal government.

The aim was to help ethnic minorities The aim was to help ethnic minorities overcome past discrimination.overcome past discrimination.

Affirmative Action means ‘positive Affirmative Action means ‘positive discrimination’ in favour of a discrimination’ in favour of a particular group.particular group.

Affirmative Action Affirmative Action ProgrammesProgrammes

SchoolsSchools – ‘busing’ was introduced to – ‘busing’ was introduced to transport children around towns to try and transport children around towns to try and achieve a racial balance in schools.achieve a racial balance in schools.

UniversitiesUniversities – preference was given to ethnic – preference was given to ethnic minority candidates applying for university.minority candidates applying for university.

EmploymentEmployment – companies which had – companies which had contracts with the federal/state government contracts with the federal/state government had to ensure that their workforce reflected had to ensure that their workforce reflected the different ethnic groups in the US the different ethnic groups in the US population population and and that there was no that there was no discrimination in hiring/promotion of discrimination in hiring/promotion of workers.workers.

The Future of Affirmative The Future of Affirmative ActionAction

Across the USA there has been huge Across the USA there has been huge opposition to Affirmative Action Programmes.opposition to Affirmative Action Programmes.

In California in 1996, voters passed In California in 1996, voters passed Proposition 209 which abolished AAPs in Proposition 209 which abolished AAPs in public employment, education and contracts.public employment, education and contracts.

A number of states have followed suit and A number of states have followed suit and ended AAPs.ended AAPs.

The University of California stopped using The University of California stopped using race to decide student admissions – the race to decide student admissions – the number of Blacks, Hispanic and White number of Blacks, Hispanic and White students who were awarded spaces dropped students who were awarded spaces dropped but admissions for Asian students increased.but admissions for Asian students increased.

The Future of Affirmative The Future of Affirmative ActionAction

In 2003, the University of Michigan was In 2003, the University of Michigan was challenged in court regarding its challenged in court regarding its admissions policy – ethnic minorities were admissions policy – ethnic minorities were given extra points when applications were given extra points when applications were being assessed. This legal challenge was being assessed. This legal challenge was supported by President Bush.supported by President Bush.

The Supreme Court ruled the university The Supreme Court ruled the university could take race into account when could take race into account when admitting students but they could not admitting students but they could not award them extra points.award them extra points.

Therefore many people feel that the Therefore many people feel that the situation regarding AAPs is very confusing.situation regarding AAPs is very confusing.