Purpose
According to the conflict perspective, social institutions promote social inequality and the status quo for the benefit of certain populations and conversely, for the disadvantage of others. Demographic trends refer to patterns of change that pertain to populations within society which may reflect systems of inequality perpetuated by social institutions.
Task
For this discusssion assignment, identify demographic trends that reflect inequality or disadvantage in education, religion or family.
- Using GALILEO, search for academic, credible sources ( e.g., U.S. Census, American Community Survey, Uniform Crime Report, National Center for Educational Statistics) that include statistical data to support structural inequalities and provide examples of social policies for social change or corrective action. Also, check websites of government agencies and community organizations.
- Using the statistical data, interpret the impact of demographic trends on disadvantaged populations and reflect on the social institutions of education, religion or family.
- Choose only ONE of the social institutions below (education, religion or family) and answer the following discussion prompts in 250-500 words (total):
Education:
- How does race, gender or social class influence the achievement scores, dropout rates or graduation rates of disadvantages populations?
- What are some examples of social policies (e.g., grassroots movements, institutional policy, legislative action) that can enact social change in educational institutions?
Religion:
- How does race, gender or social class influence religious hate crimes or sex crimes committed against disadvantaged populations?
- What are some examples of social policies (e.g., grassroots movements, institutional policy, legislative action) that can enact social change in religious institutions?
Family:
- How does race, gender or social class influence divorce rates or rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) for disadvantaged populations?
- What are some examples of social policies (e.g., grassroots movements, institutional policy, legislative action) that can enact social change in family institutions?
