Main Discussion
-Contributing factors/causes of Social conflict:
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Demographic/Geographical –although race was not a dominant factor in riots minorities were used as a scapegoat as something to attack and take their aggression out on. Ethnic minority groups were housed in the poorer inner city areas along side the poorer British resident where unemployment is high. Competition between minorities and whites for jobs caused tensions.
-Forcing people of different backgrounds to live together as one
community will cause tensions as different cultures have differing aspects
to their lifestyles.
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Economic- -Unemployment and poor education led to poor job prospects. Frustration grew as when people are unemployed they have a low self worth, they are bored with little money and little knowledge of how to express their views to bring about change. They saw Rioting as an effective way.
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Politics/Government- The areas that are high in social conflict have tended to be areas that were focus of major govn programmes. Most of the govn resources went on buildings and not on creating jobs, infrastructure etc, which helps in the short-term in raising the quality of life experienced by these communities, but there is no help there for them to sustain their own quality of life in the long-term, independent from the govn. (tunstall px)
“most externally funded programmes were driven by outside constraints and did very little to change the prospects for young men and their role in society.(Tunstall px)
-Welfare is a bare minimum and a low quality of life is therefore maintained. They then turn to crime as a means of survival which demonstrates a way of life to the kid who then grow up and participate themselves in crime.
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Social –Poor quality of life, poor housing conditions, poor services, little
Wealth contribute to the unhappiness.
- Family breakdown, failure to provide for family means they receive little respect and self worth, large numbers living in small spaces leading to overcrowdiness which raises tensions, conflict between parents and children, all of which increase pressure and frustration.
- Weak social control- poor links with the wider society, weak policing and poor enforcement as the youths had little to lose so constantly pushed the boundaries as they don’t care what happens.
- Exclusion- social pressures that result in groups and communities being excluded from the benefits of belonging to a wider society. Some young poorly educated, low-skilled men do not see themselves as part of a work force, but on the edge or outside the economy. They are not recognised nor do they have stable role in their community
(tunstall xi)
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Media- Disturbances and riots were seen as a way of getting noticed drawing attention to the problems and frustrations of their lives, riots gained lots of media coverage and recognition on television and in the press. This was a way of mobilizing and voicing their opinions. Sometimes the media hyped them up to get interesting viewing.
-Case Studies from last ten years
All the areas where riots have broke out have a history of disorder (defn)
If have time I will do a
-Brief comparison of the causes of the riots of the 80’s with those in the 90’s.
See if the same causes are still behind todays riots.
Conclusion
-Vicious circle one thing leads to the next repeatedly going round. Born into poor society shown how to get by, poor education, poor life prospects, will most prob stay on estate have own family and carry the circle on.
-Needs to be stopped as consequences of riots- injuries, death, waste of money and resources, expensive -but never punished they worked as
they were given better things as a result of riots.
-The future of social conflict. Need stability.
Find a way to listen to the young people.
Mix of popn, older households to provide community constraints
Mix of incomes to provide role models to aspire to
Improvements in education and training
Work opportunities with strong links to the wider economy
Support for resident groups
Activities to relieve boredom
Mobilization of support for community development
Support for parenting and families
Improvement in services
Increased security.
Answer the question stating main causes of social conflict in Brotish Cities in last decade.
