Sociology Ch 8
Situational Ethnicity
ethnic and racial identification is socially constructed
Race
group with inherited physical characteristics that distinguish them from others -no "pure" race
Jewish Americans
most successful minority. hardworking/family oriented/friendly -danger of losing identiy because of inter-faith marriages/falling birthrates
European Americans
mostly white dominate US society
Prejudice
negative attitude towards a certain group of people preconceived views
Native Americans
4.4 million 1/3 on reservations poorest minority in US revived traditions and gained more self determination
African Americans
Civil Rights Act 1964-prohibited segregation progress in education and politics but not housing/economic middle class has become more prosperous
Ancestries of Current population
German is greatest Polish is lowest english in the middle
Percentages of groups in US
White- 72.1% Hispanic- 12.1% African American 11.3% Asian 3.6% Native American .9% -other 1.6%
Most Important ethnic groups in America
african-americans native-americans puerto rican-americans cubans-americans mexican-americans chinese-americans japenese-americans
Prejudiced Discriminator
all weather illiberal prejudiced and discriminates no matter what social pressure is
Unprejudiced Nondiscriminator
all weather liberal not prejudiced and does not discriminate no matter what the social pressure is
Ethnicity
cultural practices of a given community that have emerged historically and set people apart
Prejudiced Nondiscriminator
fair weather illiberal prejudiced but because of social pressure, does not discriminate
Unprejudiced Discriminator
fair weather liberal not prejudiced but because of social pressure, does discriminate
Asian Americans
fastest growing minority terrible past discrimination more likely to graduate/higher family income than whites model minority
Minority discrimination
genocide, ethnic cleansing, segregation
Dominant Groups
greatest power, most privledges, highest social status
Socialization
if our parents, teachers, and media are prejudiced we are likely to follow their lead
Political
involves maintaining power for the dominant group
Hispanic Americans
largest minority Mexican Americans are largest group Spanish language and Catholic are unifying forces worse off than blacks in educational work low pay jobs -new generation of hispanics are breaking that trend
Institutionalized Discrimination
long history and persistance of policies promoted by social instutions that favor white supremacy structure of social relations not recognized as discrimination
Symbolic Ethnicity
member of an ethnic group assimilates to a larger more ethically diverse culture
Consquences of Prejudice & Discrimination
minorities generally have a lower quality of life than dominant group black lower class has grown larger and more desperate young victims of prejudice and discimination tend to develop a negative self image
Minority Groups
people who are subjected to prejudice and discrimination not a small percentage of population (south africa)
Ethnic Group
people who identify with one another on the basis of common cultural heritage share the feeling of being distinct triats are passed through generations ethnic differences are learned
Racism
prejudice based on socially significant physical distinctions racists think they are surperior to others because of physical characteristics
Scapegoating
prejudice is the result of frusterating scapegoats become target of blame
Economic
racism created a huge supply of cheap labor bringing profits to the dominant group
Antiracism
refers to thoughts or actions taken to eradicate racism
Ethnic Diversity
remarkable diversity of ethnic minorities in US
Affirmative Action
requires employers to make special efforts to recruit qualified minorities has been successful for african americans reverse discrimination
sociologists define Race
social phenomenon group of people who are perceived by society to be physically different from others race affects power/inequality population inbreeding
Discrimination
unfavorable action or behavior taken against an individual because they are of a certain group. exclusion of "the other" or restricting oppurtunities