Socioeconomic Inequality Of The United States - 882 Words

The population of the poor in the United States represents roughly 15 percent of the total population (Macionis 2013:41). As of 2012, the poorest 20 percent of the United States only represents 3.8 percent of total income earned (Macionis 2013:35). People do not choose to be poor, and most of those who are impoverished try to overcome this challenge. However, there is a trend that is evident and is continuously noticed in society. Those who live in poverty experience worse health care, education, social status, and wages than the upper class. I believe socioeconomic status serves a large role in whether an individual is likely to experience poor health. Policies that increase unemployment insurance or allocate for equal distribution of wealth and opportunity are viable solutions to socioeconomic inequality (Babones 2010:141). The social conflict theory best explains the socioeconomic inequality in the United States and helps sociologists interpret how inequality causes increased heal th issues for the lower class. The social conflict theory is an approach sociologists use to explain or interpret society (Macionis 2013:13). This theory argues that society is not equal and that inequality results in conflict. It also suggests that inequality and discrimination can cause social problems that will ultimately result in a change. For the purpose of this paper, the social conflict theory is useful to show how the upper class is increasing their wealth at the expense of the lowerShow MoreRelatedWealth Inequality Of The United States1216 Words   |  5 PagesWealth in the United States is generally thought to be distributed fairly as the highest earners have a higher percentage of wealth. Although this common notion is technically correct, the wealth is not spread as fairly as people might believe. 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