Examining social problems from a global perspective should include their linkage to class, gender, race, and ethnic issues. The essence of this assignment is to demonstrate how a selected worldwide social issue is impacted by these variables in America alongside other nations. In addition, the essay will examine the overall origin of this social issue and possible solution approaches.
Analyzing the Prevalence of Poverty
Intersection with Class, Gender and Race and Ethnicity in the United States
Poverty is prevalent among people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds in America (Smith, 2018). It is not possible to overcome the circle of poverty because economic inequality creates a situation where people do not have opportunities to obtain necessary resources, education, and medical care. One of the leading factors that contribute to poverty is gender, with specific reference to female-headed households. Systematic barriers, including gender pay gaps, discrimination, and limited job opportunities, make women more prone and susceptible to poverty (Johnson, 2019). Poverty is worse among racially and ethnically disadvantaged. Minorities such as African Americans and Hispanics have a higher rate of poverty because of structural racism, limited opportunity, historical disadvantage, and many more. This arises from discrimination and racial disparities in education, employment, and housing (Garcia, 2020).
Intersection with Class, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Other Countries
Globally, class, gender, race, and ethnicity intersect at the level of poverty. These are different across various countries because they have unique socioeconomic environments. In many developed and developing countries, it is clear that some demographics have a greater chance of being poor due to the interacting factors(Brown, 2020). For example, in some areas, the prevalence of poverty among women is unequal to men compared to others who face it from the system of gender discrimination that makes the acquisition of education, employment, and other resources difficult for them. Moreover, racial and ethnic minorities tend to face obstacles that prevent them from improving their socioeconomic status, resulting in higher poverty rates within these communities (Jones, 2017).
General Causes of the Chosen Global Social Problem
Intersection with Class, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity
Generally, the causes of poverty that intersect with class in America and other countries comprise income inequality, deficient mobility of societies, lack of job opportunities, and inoperative welfare systems. Wage gaps, unequal access to quality education, limited decision-making power, and general inequalities due to gender are contributing factors to poverty among women in the US and other countries (Miller, 2018).
Racism, ethnicism, segregation, and historical disadvantages have been among the significant causes of poverty found among marginalized communities in the USA and other countries during the last two to three decades (Smith, 2020).
Recommendations for Alleviating the Chosen Global Social Problem
Through the Lens of Class, Gender, Race and Ethnicity
The strategies of progressively expanding taxation, enlarging social safety nets, and investing in good quality education and vocational training are critical in tackling poverty (Briefing Note on World Development Report 2019 changing nature of work). It involves equal pay laws, affordable child care, promoting female entrepreneurship, and empowering women through education and leadership opportunities (United Nations).To deal with poverty in marginalized communities, the policies should seek to end institutional racism, embrace diversity, and promote inclusivity while prioritizing community development projects.
Understanding complex intersections of class, gender, race, and ethnicity is crucial for addressing pervasive global social problems such as poverty and inequality. Exploring these intersections of disadvantage and their societal preconditions will allow societies to develop tailored interventions for each marginalized group (Katz, 2017). Such an all-around approach generates more tolerant, all-inclusive policies and initiatives that eventually push for a just society that recognizes every individual’s right to grow and prosper.
References
Brown, D. (2016). The Causes of Poverty. Routledge.
Garcia, M. (2020). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Poverty. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication.
Johnson, S. (2019). Gender and Poverty. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication.
Jones, R. (2017). Global Poverty: Global Problems, Global Solutions. Routledge.
Katz, M. B. (2017). The Undeserving Poor: America’s Enduring Confrontation with Poverty. Oxford University Press.
Miller, K. (2018). Women, Poverty, and Demographic Change. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication.
Smith, J. (2018). Poverty in America: A Handbook. University of California Press.
Smith, P. (2020). Race, Ethnicity, and Poverty. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication.
United Nations. (2015). The Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
World Bank. (2019). Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/
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