Components of Social Inequality

Social inequality

A critical analysis of the components of social inequality cannot be properly carried out without painting a clear picture of what social inequality entails.

Social inequality looks at the unequal distribution of societal resources. 

This distribution is basically due to various reasons, which in turn results in people having different treatments to the basic amenities of society. 

Haralambos, Holborn, Chapman & Moore (2013:20) asserts that social inequality refers to the existence of socially created inequalities. These socially created inequalities are only reflected by the rankings of people on the social ladder. Thus, we can say that social stratification shows the patterns of inequality in society. Kendal in Dienye (2012) explains that the extent to which individuals have access to important societal resources such as food, clothing, shelter, education and healthcare is different. 

This is because the rich have greater access to quality education, nutrition, healthcare, better and safer neighbourhoods while the poor have less or none of these. Even in western societies, there is a great difference in the wealth, power and status of individuals. Therefore, social inequality still continues.

The components of social inequality we shall be looking at include

·         Family background

·         Position of child in the family

·         Socioeconomic status of the parent

·         Intellectual ability of the children

·         Government policies

Family Background                                                          

The background of a family goes to promote social inequality. This is because parents pick certain kids for particular kinds of jobs. An example would be a family of fishermen where in a bid to diversify the family, the father hand picks a child to learn a different lucrative trade. 

This begins to create the question of yardsticks used in the selection of that child. Obviously, that child now has an advantage over the other children who, probably would have done better in business. Another clear picture is presented by polygamous families with plenty of kids. 

While some are sent to school, others are sent to work out the money for the one(s) in school, some sent out to be maids and servants to other people. It shows that even in the family social inequality exist creating constant conflicts, competition and breach in communication.

Position of child in the family    

 The position of a child in the family is a major factor in deciding the distribution of resources to him or her. In Riverine communities, the first son or daughter is supposed to learn and uphold the family trade which is normally fishing. 

The younger sibling may go to school depending on the availability of funds to the parents. This is also applicable in royal families, a child born to the ruling family is automatically a prince or princess and the first son becomes next in line for the throne whether he deserves it or not. Even when his moral values are loose, the mere fact that he is the elder makes him next in line to the throne. 

Another set of people under this category who get preferential treatment are the last children. The last child in a family may get privileges his older siblings did not get. Some are sent to school while the elder ones work to pay for it. Another example is a father who puts all his male kids in the community cult but refused to do so for his last son. He rather chose to give him a bible for a change.

Socioeconomic status of parents

The socioeconomic status of parents is another component of social inequality. This is so because socioeconomic status addresses the differences in class and wealth available to different parents. A child of well to do parents has more access to good schools, better health care treatment, textbooks and other amenities necessary to enhance living and learning. 

This is opposed to a life of restriction and limitation to public health facilities, schools, and other necessary facilities. Cases abound of children who wish to go to certain schools but cannot afford to due to the availability of funds to their parents.

Even where public schools are available, not all parents can afford to pay the merger sum needed for uniform and shoes not to talk of buying textbooks. Some parents may want to send all their kids to school but may not be able to do so due to their socioeconomic status.

Intellectual ability of children

The intellectual ability of a child in a family is a deciding factor in the selection of who goes to school. As such, where families want to send their children to school, the deciding factor draws down to who knows how to count, read and write, or who shows promise of being able to do well academically. 

Even among the rich, the intellectually bright child is normally the one picked to go abroad for tertiary education. When a family puts their wards or children in different schools with differing fees and standards, an issue of inequality is created. 

A major question of why all were not sent abroad or to the same school in Nigeria arises? However, we cannot deny that every parent would want to do all within their power to ensure that they support any child who does well academically.

Government policies

Government policies are another component of social inequality. Compensatory education is an educational policy of the government to bridge the gap between the educationally advanced and backward states. 

This policy brought about federalization of universities, quota system, unity schools, UTME, catchment areas and so on. The result being that, a child living in a remote village situated in a state termed educationally advanced who is taught by unqualified teachers in a school with poor learning facilities is expected to compete with another for whom entry standards are deliberately lowered. 

The tertiary institutions promote social inequality with policies which allow vice chancellors to have their own admission list. No child born to the poor finds his name on this list.

How to overcome Social inequality

It is true that in every society there will always be the rich and the poor. The gap between the rich and the poor can be reduced if certain steps are taken.

1. The government should strive to amend its laws to ensure that the poor have better access to social infrastructures that will ensure a better state of life for them.
2. Traditional practices that promote social inequality in communities should be deliberated on, and actions taken to level the social playground.
3. Parents must strive to treat all children equally. Favouritism based on gender, capabilities, and so on should be done away with.
4. Policy makers need to critically define the limits of their policies. As a policy originally intended for good may backfire causing more problems.
5. Children should be assigned teachers who are grounded in handling children of different (varying) capabilities. So that some students are not left behind.  

  References
Dienye, V. U. (2012). Sociology of education. (2nd ed.). Port Harcourt. Pearl publishers
Haralambos, M., Holborn, M., Chapman, S. & Moore, S. (2013). Sociology. Themes and Perspectives. (8th ed.). New York: HarperCollins publishers.