Module: SS130 Student No. 08805759
“Where our … realities are defined by difference and dissimilarity, the promise of injustice is amplified” (Williams 2008: 7) Discuss.
Through my own interpretation I have translated the preceding quote as follows; within society everyone is diverse and unique but inequality will always be a factor. This is very true for society today. Society has constructed social problems because of factors that make everyone different including race, class, gender and sexuality; some of which are completely are completely out of our own control. Our true selves or ‘our realities’ are usually defined by what we are not , so in order to be heterosexual we always defend ourselves by saying we are not attracted to somebody of the same gender or homosexual. Why is this? By focusing on class specifically, the following essay will look at why this ‘injustice’ within society exists, how it affects people and the consequences. Therefore, by looking at these points, will enable for a conclusion to be made, which I believe to be that inequality will always play a part within society.
It is fair to say that inequalities within society today have been socially constructed. By socially constructed it means that people have made an issue out of something that does not have to be an issue. In an ideal world regardless of our age, our skin colour, our classification and our sexuality preferences everyone would be equal and treated the same. However, this is not the case. Social class can be based on different factors. The main factor is income. In the UK today society has many different classification systems for example ‘The National socio-economic system’ which was adopted by government in 2001 whereby society is divided into 8 classes based on occupation, ranging from higher managerial positions to never employed. There is also ‘Registrar general classification’ which has divided society in 6 classes, again based on occupation from professional to unskilled. Through a general perspective there are three basic social class divisions (in descending order); upper class, middle class and working class. Most sociological analysis comes from the basis of Karl Marx and Max Weber’s theories on class and stratification (Giddens 2006: 300) Marx’s theory is that class consists of people who share the same type of livelihood. Weber’s theory bases itself on Marx’s theory but Weber dissects it and elaborates more. Weber realises there are more economical factors to do with social class. It is not uncommon for people in the upper class to look down on middle class, and people from the middle class to look down on the working class. It is a common pattern in society and it also works in the opposite way; working class looking at the middle and upper classes thinking they are snobs and ‘stuck-up’. With the working class, there is a misconception and/or the stereotype of being a ‘chav’. A ‘chav’ is a stereotype which has been created by society. They can be described as people who wear cheap clothes especially fake designer clothes, have low level of education, have no self respect and steal just to name a few characteristics. UK society appears to be governed by class. The working class, I feel, suffer the most inequality when it comes to class. The working class is almost always seen as negative and are not given enough credit for who they are. They have a right to be treated the same as someone from the upper class but this does not happen.
