1. Economics
The economy of America has been one that clearly segregates the different ethnic and racial diversities through what it awards and takes from them. Black Americans have been on the receiving end of the oppressive policies of the economy by receiving higher interest rates on loans and getting twice as less approval for loans and mortgages as compared to their white counterparts. Oliver and Shapiro assert that “while income inequality is problematic, inequality of wealth is understudied” (Oliver & Shapiro 1995, 16). The races have been treated differently, and whites have dominated in most of the sectors of the economy. This has occasioned a wide gap of economic wellbeing among the races with whites being the wealthiest while the other races and ethnic groups only settling in the middle class. Oliver & Shapiro, therefore, suggest ways through which the economy would be made to help reduce the gap between the wealthy whites and the poor Latinos, black Americans and Asians. Oppressive and segregation policies that separate the various sections of the population in America should be fought against so that the races can be integrated into the economy as both contributors and beneficiaries. Oppression will lead to exclusive rather than inclusive development that does not improve the standards of living of all the people equally.
2. Housing
Anyon postulates that “revenue sharing acts as a lever to balance direction of free market revenues” (Anyon 2005, 12). This he proposes as one of the ways through which social parities can be eliminated in access to basic needs by children and households from all ethnic and racial quarters. Anyon proposes that by creating affordable housing in remote areas that have people of low income will help in reducing the differences in social wellbeing through problems of housing. While the white race enjoys comfortable housing that is clean, that is not the case with other races especially those who love in remote areas. Revenue sharing will ensure that all races were receiving a balanced share of the resources in the economy to solve such problems such as housing. Housing as a basic need should be made affordable yet clean in order for all citizens to feel cared for equally just as much as they are treated equally when it comes to taxation.
3. Social Capital
The family background in its economical sense is a key variable that influences the performance of children at school. Besides the economical aspect, the culture of a family is “a vital underpinning on the behavior and abilities” children take to school (Lareau 1987, 75). Annette Lareau delved into this subject to present an understanding of the relationship between family and school to ascertain the level of attainment of children from different economic backgrounds. She also explores the variables that can affect performance amongst school-going children from families of different backgrounds. School-going children who are inadequately provided for come from black American race, and they do not perform well in school. As a result, this is different from those from white backgrounds who enjoy provisions of security. Schools usually have certain expectations about what parents or families should equip their children with in order for them to be assisted at school. This may include textbooks, geometrical sets, writing materials and in some instances provision of meals. These provisions make the child comfortable and relaxed in the school and will effectively compete with others without feeling inferior or inadequate.
4. Response to Sara’s Social Capital
Sara points out how social class impacts our society different ways. For example, of the children from lower social settings families are disadvantaged by lack of school provisions. Schools usually have certain expectations about what parents or families should equip their children with in order for them to be assisted at school. This may include textbooks, geometrical sets, writing materials and in some instances provision of meals. These provisions make the child comfortable and relaxed in the school and will effectively compete with others who come from high and middle class social settings, without feeling inferior or inadequate. This influences the performance of the child, his self-esteem and social adjustment (Lareau 1987). Those who are inadequately provided for feel insecure and emotionally unbalanced, and therefore do not compete with the others favorably. Sara in her argument on the American dream believes that there is no sure way of mitigating the impact of social class, however, she recon that initiatives such as use of affirmative-action programs in providing a chance to students from low income families to college may help. In addition, she argues that the reduced tax should be encouraged, and it should target the middle class and those at lower social level. According to Sara should not be done to the advantage of those who are wealthy but rather the goals should be based on merit since the rich families already are more advantaged.
References
Anyon, J. (2005). Radical Possibilities: Public Policy, Urban Education, and a new social Movement. NY: Rutledge
Oliver, M. L., & Shapiro, T. M. (1995). Black wealth/white wealth: A new perspective on racial equality. NY: Rutledge
Lareau, A. (1987). Sociology of Education. Vol. 60 73-85.
