Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. OVERCOMING EXCLUSION CHAPTER 17

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Social Disadvantages Not limited to groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, or religion Not limited to groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, or religion Age Age Disabilities Disabilities Gays and Lesbians Gays and Lesbians Melting Pot Melting Pot Suggests that US had mission to destroy artificial divisions and create a single humankind Suggests that US had mission to destroy artificial divisions and create a single humankind Unrealistic because dominant group unwilling to welcome racial and ethnic minorities Unrealistic because dominant group unwilling to welcome racial and ethnic minorities

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Salad Bowl Salad Bowl Used to describe a country that is ethnically diverse Used to describe a country that is ethnically diverse Also not realistic because image is static and not indicative of the dynamic change seen in US Also not realistic because image is static and not indicative of the dynamic change seen in US Fails to conjure the myriad cultures that make up the mosaic of the nation Fails to conjure the myriad cultures that make up the mosaic of the nation Kaleidoscope Kaleidoscope Familiar and more useful analogy Familiar and more useful analogy Phrase “people of color” fits with idea of US as a kaleidoscope Phrase “people of color” fits with idea of US as a kaleidoscope Changes hard to describe because they change dramatically with little effort Changes hard to describe because they change dramatically with little effort

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. The Aged: A Social Minority Significant segment of population Significant segment of population Have successfully organized into a collective force that wields significant political clout on certain social issues Have successfully organized into a collective force that wields significant political clout on certain social issues Unlike other social groups subjected to differential treatment, category will include most of us someday Unlike other social groups subjected to differential treatment, category will include most of us someday “them” will eventually give way to “us” “them” will eventually give way to “us”

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Elderly share characteristics of subordinate or minority group Elderly share characteristics of subordinate or minority group Experience unequal treatment in employment and may face prejudice and discrimination Experience unequal treatment in employment and may face prejudice and discrimination Share physical characteristics that distinguishes them from younger people and cultural preferences and leisure-time activities often differ Share physical characteristics that distinguishes them from younger people and cultural preferences and leisure-time activities often differ Membership is involuntary Membership is involuntary Strong sense of group solidarity Strong sense of group solidarity Senior citizen’s centers, retirement communities, advocacy organizations Senior citizen’s centers, retirement communities, advocacy organizations Generally marry others of comparable age Generally marry others of comparable age

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. One crucial difference One crucial difference All of us will eventually assume the ascribed status of being an older person All of us will eventually assume the ascribed status of being an older person Who Are the Elderly? Who Are the Elderly? More likely to be: More likely to be: Female, White, Living in certain states Female, White, Living in certain states Higher death rate in men than women at every age Higher death rate in men than women at every age Women outnumber men by ratio of 3 to 2 Women outnumber men by ratio of 3 to 2 Difference grows with advancing age Difference grows with advancing age Among oldest group, women outnumber men 5 to 2 Among oldest group, women outnumber men 5 to 2 80% are White non-Hispanic 80% are White non-Hispanic Higher death rate of racial and ethnic minorities Higher death rate of racial and ethnic minorities

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Ageism Ageism Refers to prejudice and discrimination against the elderly Refers to prejudice and discrimination against the elderly Reflects deep uneasiness among young and middle-age about growing old Reflects deep uneasiness among young and middle-age about growing old Gerontologist Bernice Neugarten (1996) Gerontologist Bernice Neugarten (1996) Negative stereotypes of old age are entrenched in a society that prides itself on youth and the future Negative stereotypes of old age are entrenched in a society that prides itself on youth and the future Stereotyping - elderly are often stereotyped Stereotyping - elderly are often stereotyped Tend to see elderly only in situations that reinforce the image Tend to see elderly only in situations that reinforce the image Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (1968) Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (1968) Protect workers 40 and older from being fired Protect workers 40 and older from being fired

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Degree of conflict emerging along generational lines Degree of conflict emerging along generational lines Involves neither conflict nor subjugation Involves neither conflict nor subjugation Feeling prevails that jobs and benefits for elderly are at expense of younger workers Feeling prevails that jobs and benefits for elderly are at expense of younger workers The Economic Picture The Economic Picture Variation in the economic well-being of the elderly Variation in the economic well-being of the elderly Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Social class Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Social class Poverty rate has declined among the elderly Poverty rate has declined among the elderly Advocacy Efforts by the Elderly Advocacy Efforts by the Elderly Gray Panthers Gray Panthers organization to fight against ageism and the rights of the elderly organization to fight against ageism and the rights of the elderly

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Older Women’s League Older Women’s League Focuses on health insurance, Social Security and pension reform Focuses on health insurance, Social Security and pension reform American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Founded in 1958 Founded in 1958 Largest organization representing nation’s elderly Largest organization representing nation’s elderly lobby and works on a number of issues of interest for the elderly lobby and works on a number of issues of interest for the elderly Represents one of every four registered voters in US Represents one of every four registered voters in US Began Minority Affairs Initiative to recruit racial and ethnic minorities Began Minority Affairs Initiative to recruit racial and ethnic minorities Margaret Dixon Margaret Dixon AARP’s first African American president (1996) AARP’s first African American president (1996)

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. People With Disabilities: Moving On Term disabilities suggest lack of ability and assumption is people with disabilities are less capable Term disabilities suggest lack of ability and assumption is people with disabilities are less capable Society limits life chances of people with disabilities in ways that are unnecessary and unrelated to any physical infirmity Society limits life chances of people with disabilities in ways that are unnecessary and unrelated to any physical infirmity Disability in Contemporary Society Disability in Contemporary Society Census Bureau estimates 41.2 million people with disabilities in 2006 Census Bureau estimates 41.2 million people with disabilities in 2006 Disability Disability A reduced ability to perform tasks one would normally do at a given stage in life A reduced ability to perform tasks one would normally do at a given stage in life

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately likely to have disabilities and have less access to assistance Racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately likely to have disabilities and have less access to assistance 2/3 working-age with disability are unemployed 2/3 working-age with disability are unemployed The number of disabled will increase The number of disabled will increase Advances in medicine Advances in medicine Aging and disabilities Aging and disabilities Most with disabilities believe they would be able to work if offered the opportunity of if reasonable accommodation could be made to address the disability Most with disabilities believe they would be able to work if offered the opportunity of if reasonable accommodation could be made to address the disability

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Labeling the Disabled Labeling the Disabled Sociologist Erving Goffman (1963) Sociologist Erving Goffman (1963) Society attaches a stigma to many forms of disability and this leads to prejudicial treatment Society attaches a stigma to many forms of disability and this leads to prejudicial treatment Disability becomes the primary factor in how other’s define the disabled Disability becomes the primary factor in how other’s define the disabled Disability is only one aspect and social role of the disabled Disability is only one aspect and social role of the disabled The media contributes to popular negative images of people with disabilities The media contributes to popular negative images of people with disabilities Discrimination- society is not organized around those with disabilities Discrimination- society is not organized around those with disabilities Architectural barriers Architectural barriers Educational barriers Educational barriers Employment barriers Employment barriers

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Advocacy for Disability Rights Advocacy for Disability Rights Ed Roberts (1960’s) Ed Roberts (1960’s) Along with others, started the Berkeley Center for Independent Living Along with others, started the Berkeley Center for Independent Living National Federation for the Blind National Federation for the Blind New York City’s Disabled in Action New York City’s Disabled in Action Large number of disabled veterans joined efforts, which gave a boost and legitimacy to efforts Large number of disabled veterans joined efforts, which gave a boost and legitimacy to efforts Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 (ADA) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 (ADA) Civil Rights view of disabilities Civil Rights view of disabilities Humanize the way society treats the disabled Humanize the way society treats the disabled Visitability Visitability Refers to making private homes built to be accessible for visitors with disabilities Refers to making private homes built to be accessible for visitors with disabilities

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Gays and Lesbians: Coming Out for Equality Typically in the U.S., sexual orientation is constructed as either homosexual or heterosexual and ignores bisexuals Typically in the U.S., sexual orientation is constructed as either homosexual or heterosexual and ignores bisexuals Bisexuals Bisexuals Individuals sexually attracted to both sexes Individuals sexually attracted to both sexes Transgendered Persons Transgendered Persons Refers to people whose gender identity does not match their physical identity at birth Refers to people whose gender identity does not match their physical identity at birth Transexuals Transexuals People who see themselves as the sex opposite of their birth identity and may have surgery to be closer to identity People who see themselves as the sex opposite of their birth identity and may have surgery to be closer to identity

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Transvestites Transvestites Refers to cross-dressers who wear clothing of the opposite sex Refers to cross-dressers who wear clothing of the opposite sex Being Gay and Lesbian in the USA Being Gay and Lesbian in the USA Alfred Kinsey (1948, 1953) Alfred Kinsey (1948, 1953) Almost half of all men had had same-sex fantasies Almost half of all men had had same-sex fantasies About 1/3 rd had experienced homosexual encounter after childhood About 1/3 rd had experienced homosexual encounter after childhood Launched public debate about number of homosexuals in US Launched public debate about number of homosexuals in US General focus was to explore ways to prevent and control homosexuality as a disease General focus was to explore ways to prevent and control homosexuality as a disease Discrimination against gays and lesbians was common and legal Discrimination against gays and lesbians was common and legal

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Prejudice and Discrimination Prejudice and Discrimination Homophobia Homophobia The fear of and prejudice toward homosexuality The fear of and prejudice toward homosexuality Present in every facet of life Present in every facet of life Considered a more respectable form of bigotry than against any other oppressed groups Considered a more respectable form of bigotry than against any other oppressed groups Stigmatization seen as a major factor in slow initial response to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Stigmatization seen as a major factor in slow initial response to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT-UP) AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT-UP) Most outspoken AIDS activist group Most outspoken AIDS activist group National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (2004) National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (2004) Documented more than 2,000 bias motivated incidents Documented more than 2,000 bias motivated incidents

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. In 2008, 55% of the public felt that homosexual relations should be legal In 2008, 55% of the public felt that homosexual relations should be legal In 1977, 43% of the public thought homosexual relations should be legal In 1977, 43% of the public thought homosexual relations should be legal

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Advocacy for Gay and Lesbian Rights Advocacy for Gay and Lesbian Rights First homosexual organization in US founded in Chicago in 1924 First homosexual organization in US founded in Chicago in 1924 Contemporary gay and lesbian movement started in New York in 1969 Contemporary gay and lesbian movement started in New York in 1969 Police and Gay confrontation in a New York bar Police and Gay confrontation in a New York bar Led to rioting Led to rioting Formation of groups to fight discrimination Formation of groups to fight discrimination Gay liberation groups on college campuses and communities Gay liberation groups on college campuses and communities President Bill Clinton (1993) President Bill Clinton (1993) Military policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell” Military policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell”

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Domestic Partnership Two unrelated adults who have chosen to share one another’s lives in a relationship of mutual caring, who reside together, and who agree to be jointly responsible for their dependents, basic living expenses, and other common necessities Two unrelated adults who have chosen to share one another’s lives in a relationship of mutual caring, who reside together, and who agree to be jointly responsible for their dependents, basic living expenses, and other common necessities

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Defense of Marriage Act (1996) Defense of Marriage Act (1996) Denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages Denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages Vermont (1999) recognition through civil unions Vermont (1999) recognition through civil unions Massachusetts (2002) gay couples can legally marry Massachusetts (2002) gay couples can legally marry Some argue promoting gay marriage is trying to assimilate or become like the oppressor Some argue promoting gay marriage is trying to assimilate or become like the oppressor Critics argue that equal treatment is real issue and should not be result of conforming to ways of heterosexual dominant society Critics argue that equal treatment is real issue and should not be result of conforming to ways of heterosexual dominant society Discussion repeats a pattern found in every subordinate group of how to maintain one’s unique identity and become part of a multicultural society Discussion repeats a pattern found in every subordinate group of how to maintain one’s unique identity and become part of a multicultural society

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. The Glass is Half Empty If thirsty or in need, glass is half empty If thirsty or in need, glass is half empty If clearing dirty dishes, glass is half full If clearing dirty dishes, glass is half full For many, especially Whites, progress makes it difficult to understand need for more programs and new reforms and impossible to understand when minority neighborhoods erupt in violence For many, especially Whites, progress makes it difficult to understand need for more programs and new reforms and impossible to understand when minority neighborhoods erupt in violence To Latinos and African Americans To Latinos and African Americans Reference group is today’s Whites, so glass is half empty Reference group is today’s Whites, so glass is half empty

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Largest minority groups, Latinos and African Americans have higher Largest minority groups, Latinos and African Americans have higher Household income Household income Complete more schooling Complete more schooling Enjoy longer life expectancy Enjoy longer life expectancy White Americans have also made similar strides White Americans have also made similar strides Therefore, the GAP remains Therefore, the GAP remains Has increased in some instances Has increased in some instances Blacks and Latinos just edged out the income level Whites exceeded in 1975 Blacks and Latinos just edged out the income level Whites exceeded in 1975 Puts them 3 decades behind Puts them 3 decades behind

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved in 9 Whites without health insurance compared to 1 of 5 African Americans and 1 of 3 Latinos 1 in 9 Whites without health insurance compared to 1 of 5 African Americans and 1 of 3 Latinos In 1981, 3.9% of all doctorates awarded to African Americans In 1981, 3.9% of all doctorates awarded to African Americans Proportion increased only to 5.4% in 2002 Proportion increased only to 5.4% in 2002 US continues to rely on overseas students to fill places on the educational ladder US continues to rely on overseas students to fill places on the educational ladder Nonresident Aliens Nonresident Aliens Immigrants who gained entry for schooling with not other ties to US Immigrants who gained entry for schooling with not other ties to US Received doctorates three times that of Blacks, Asian Americans, Latinos, and American Indians Received doctorates three times that of Blacks, Asian Americans, Latinos, and American Indians

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Struggle for justice among racial and ethnic groups has not completely met its goals Struggle for justice among racial and ethnic groups has not completely met its goals Many people still committed to oppression Many people still committed to oppression View it as a benign neglect of those less privileged View it as a benign neglect of those less privileged Bringing about social equality entails significant changes in existing institutions Bringing about social equality entails significant changes in existing institutions President John F. Kennedy (1963) President John F. Kennedy (1963) “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity” (Cleveland 1995:23) “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity” (Cleveland 1995:23)

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. QUESTIONS

What contributes to the changing image of diversity in the United States? What contributes to the changing image of diversity in the United States?

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. In what ways are the aged, people with disabilities, and gays and lesbians stereotyped? In what ways are the aged, people with disabilities, and gays and lesbians stereotyped?

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. What are common and differing aspects of the effort to mobilize the elderly, people with disabilities, and gay men and lesbians to achieve equality? What are common and differing aspects of the effort to mobilize the elderly, people with disabilities, and gay men and lesbians to achieve equality?

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. What has been the role of the federal government in the effort to achieve equality by the aged, people with disabilities, and the gay and lesbian community? What has been the role of the federal government in the effort to achieve equality by the aged, people with disabilities, and the gay and lesbian community?

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. What does it mean to overcome “exclusion”? What does it mean to overcome “exclusion”?

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Sociologists use the term master status to describe a status that dominates others and thereby determines a person’s general position in society. To what degree can that term be applied to the aged, people with disabilities, and members of the gay and lesbian community? Sociologists use the term master status to describe a status that dominates others and thereby determines a person’s general position in society. To what degree can that term be applied to the aged, people with disabilities, and members of the gay and lesbian community?

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. How do policy makers trying to bring about change use the model of “half full” and “half empty” either to argue for change on behalf of minorities or to use the same concept to maintain that the status quo is adequate for addressing issues of social inequality? How do policy makers trying to bring about change use the model of “half full” and “half empty” either to argue for change on behalf of minorities or to use the same concept to maintain that the status quo is adequate for addressing issues of social inequality?

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. The media—in advertisements, humor, dramas, and situation comedies—portray life in society. What are some examples, both positive and negative, of how the elderly, people with disabilities, and gays and lesbians are presented in the media that you have seen? In what ways are groups stereotyped? The media—in advertisements, humor, dramas, and situation comedies—portray life in society. What are some examples, both positive and negative, of how the elderly, people with disabilities, and gays and lesbians are presented in the media that you have seen? In what ways are groups stereotyped?