OVERCOMING EXCLUSION CHAPTER 17

Social Disadvantages Not limited to groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, or religion Age Disabilities Gays and Lesbians Melting Pot 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

Salad Bowl Kaleidoscope Used to describe a country that is ethnically diverse Also not realistic because image is static and not indicative of the dynamic changed seen in US Fails to conjure the myriad cultures that make up the mosaic of the nation Kaleidoscope Familiar and more useful analogy Phrase “people of color” fits with idea of US as a kaleidoscope Changes hard to describe because they change dramatically with little effort

The Aged: A Social Minority Significant segment of population 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 “them” will eventually give way to “us”

Elderly share characteristics of subordinate or minority group 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 Membership is involuntary Strong sense of group solidarity Senior citizen’s centers, retirement communities, advocacy organizations Generally marry others of comparable age

One crucial difference All of us will eventually assume the ascribed status of being an older person Who Are the Elderly? More likely to be: Female, White, Living in certain states Higher death rate in men than women at every age Women outnumber men by ratio of 3 to 2 Difference grows with advancing age Among oldest group, women outnumber men 5 to 2 83% are White non-Hispanic Higher death rate of racial and ethnic minorities

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

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

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

People With Disabilities: Moving On 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 Disability in Contemporary Society Census Bureau estimates 51.2 million people with disabilities in 2002 Disability A reduced ability to perform tasks one would normally do at a given stage in life

2/3 working-age with disability are unemployed Racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately likely to have disabilities and have less access to assistance 2/3 working-age with disability are unemployed The number of disabled will increase Advances in medicine 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

Labeling the Disabled Sociologist Erving Goffman (1963) 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 is only one aspect and social role of the disabled The media contributes to popular negative images of people with disabilities Discrimination- society is not organized around those with disabilities Architectural barriers Educational barriers Employment barriers

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

Gays and Lesbians: Coming Out for Equality Typically in US, sexual orientation constructed as either homosexual or heterosexual and ignores bisexuals Bisexuals Individuals sexually attracted to both sexes Transgendered Persons Refers to people whose gender identity does not match their physical identity at birth Transexuals People who see themselves as the sex opposite of their birth identity and may have surgery to be closer to identity

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

Prejudice and Discrimination Homophobia The fear of and prejudice toward homosexuality Present in every facet of life 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) AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT-UP) Most outspoken AIDS activist group National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (2004) Documented more than 2,000 bias motivated incidents

Advocacy for Gay and Lesbian Rights First homosexual organization in US founded in Chicago in 1924 Contemporary gay and lesbian movement started in New York in 1969 Police and Gay confrontation in a New York bar Led to rioting Formation of groups to fight discrimination Gay liberation groups on college campuses and communities President Bill Clinton (1993) Military policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell”

Defense of Marriage Act (1996) Denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages Vermont (1999) recognition through civil unions Massachusetts (2002) gay couples can legally marry 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 Discussion repeats a pattern found in every subordinate group of how to maintain one’s unique identity and become part of a multicultural society

The Glass is Half Empty If thirsty or in need, glass is half empty 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 To Latinos and African Americans Reference group is today’s Whites, so glass is half empty

Largest minority groups, Latinos and African Americans have higher Household income Complete more schooling Enjoy longer life expectancy White Americans have also made similar strides Therefore, the GAP remains Has increased in some instances Blacks and Latinos just edged out the income level Whites exceeded in 1975 Puts them 3 decades behind

In 1981, 3.9% of all doctorates awarded to African Americans 2005 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 Proportion increased only to 5.4% in 2002 US continues to rely on overseas students to fill places on the educational ladder Nonresident Aliens 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

Many people still committed to oppression Struggle for justice among racial and ethnic groups has not completely met its goals Many people still committed to oppression View it as a benign neglect of those less privileged Bringing about social equality entails significant changes in existing institutions 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)

QUESTIONS

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

In what ways are the aged, people with disabilities, and gays and lesbians stereotyped?

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 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 does it mean to overcome “exclusion”?

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 t the aged, people with disabilities, and members of the gay and lesbian community?

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?