According to the text, how are individuals who have low income or live in poverty victimized by economic inequality and social injustice? Use examples when applicable to support your answer.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Economic inequality and social injustice are both components of social inequality which the authors define as “the existence of structures and recurrent patterns of unequal opportunities and rewards for different groups of people due to social statuses or positions as related to who they are demographically” (p. 332). Some examples of the groups that suffer economic inequality and social injustice because of the existence of social injustice include people of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, low-social class, nonheterosexual, nondominant religions, immigrant populations, and people with disabilities, to mention but a few. Social inequality impacts these groups in two major ways, through economic inequality and social injustice victimization. Economic injustice victimization appears to be the most egregious because of its potential to keep marginalized groups in intergenerational poverty. Individuals from low-income backgrounds do not have the same access to housing in safe neighborhoods, food, education, and other necessities that may foster their upward mobility. Social injustice also has a victimizing effect on marginalized groups in various ways that are obvious and not so obvious. Often, the affected groups experience dehumanization, feelings of rejection and intolerance, and lack access to power, resources, and opportunities to participate in the political process. Both economic inequality and social injustice can result in poor physical and psychological health.