Racial and ethnic models have been the premises for relationship in the human society. In the study of racial and ethnic models, many concepts/theories have been put forward to provide the best sociological explanation for different scenarios. The primordial attachments in the humanity are better expounded by a class model or approach. Many pundits see a great relationship between search for profit gains and formulation of racial systems and ethnic groups (Geschwender, 1978). The class conflict has manifested itself where ethnic and racial groups are exploited majorly in economical terms. The role of class and class struggle is key in analyzing any society as it manifests in many dimensions be it education, per capita income and poverty incidence. According to Marx Weber, society is divided into two separate classes, the working and capitalist class. Capitalism by extension is defined as an economic system that focuses on production for profit. The capitalists are defined by their incomes and ability to sustain them. The racial and ethnic dominance is defined by ethnic group superiority in different societal aspects such as education, income savings and family planning. The two tables provided in the assignment are best explained by the class model. This is because comparisons pegged on income, education, age and birth factors are defined by racial and ethnic groups.
The median family income by racial group of the year 2009 as per United States Bureau of the census reflects disparities. The Asian and White Americans rank highly with the former at $54,461 and the latter $65,469. The other ethnic groups Hispanic, Native and African Americans have $38,039, $32,101 and $32,584 respectively. The numbers are a clear indication of the economic disparities of families as per different ethnic and racial groups. The statistics are heavily intertwined by other social parameters such as education levels, age and birth factors. The trend is also reflected in the per capita income statistics where the White and Asian Americans lead at $28,502 and $30,292. The other ethnic groups, African, Native and Hispanic Americans range from $18,406, $15,736 and $15,674 respectively. The educational levels in terms of high school diploma or more statistics follows the same trend. The Educational levels are highest for the Asian Americans and lowest for Hispanic Americans. The percentage of individuals living in poverty is different as White Americans have the least while Native Americans lead.
The educational levels are a vital determinant of income parameters. Well educated individuals have a greater chance of securing good jobs, which translate to, better incomes and median family incomes. The poverty levels are also reduced greatly in ethnic groups’ families that have a good number of highly educated individuals (Oswald, 2001). Education is a platform for innovation of business ideas that can generate self-employment opportunities for individuals. The know-how and principles learnt in the educational system can boost a family’s knowledge of family planning and basic management of households (Lewis, 1995). The educational levels reaching high school are great in percentage, in the whole set of different ethnic groups. The trend, however, changes when it comes to the diploma educational level. The Hispanic and Black Americans have small numbers. This can be explained by the opportunities that are available to the different ethnic groups. Many of the Hispanics and Black Americans have inferior institutions of higher learning thus the low turnout in terms of diploma and degree graduates. The societal conditioning is also another factor that determines the education levels (Yang, 2000). The environment that is predominant in the White and Asian Americans fosters proper education and enhancement of skills unlike in the Hispanic and Black communities.
The per capita income statistics over the years 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2009 differ for all ethnic groups. In 1995, the White American population increased its per capita income by 6% the Hispanic decreased by -46%. This trend changes sequentially with white and Asian Americans increasing their per capita incomes significantly. Hispanic and Black Americans, on the other hand, have negative growth defining their per capita income in the set range of years from 1995 to 2008. This can be explained by the opportunities being availed to the different ethnic groups. The dynamics can also be linked to the education and family sizes of the different races or ethnicities presented in the table 2. The per capita income is affected by population size and individual wage rates. The black and Hispanic Americans are mostly in the blue-collar jobs that are definitely not that satisfactory in terms of wages.
Through Racial Stratification, class issue plays out differently for different ethnic and racial groups. The vested interests in the different aspects of the labor market, for example, have been said to be discriminatory towards some races (Van, 1967). Many of blacks and Hispanics are relegated to the blue collars that are not well-paying in terms of rates. In the early 1970’s segregation thrived amongst these societies where blacks and Hispanics had no occupational standing relative to white Americans. Over years, the class issues have been streamlined with the introduction of policies that were aimed to boosting equality and harmony between the ethnic groups.
References
Geschwender, J. (1978). Racial stratification in America. Dubuque, Iowa: W. C. Brown Co.
Lewis, R. (1995). A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Contemporary Race Relations in the United States. Framework For Understanding Contemporary Race Relations,22(3), 10.
Van B. (1967). Race and racism: A comparative perspective. New York [u.a.: Wiley & Sons.
Oswald, G. (2001). Race and ethnic relations in today's America. Aldershot Burlington, VT: Ashgate.
Yang, P. (2000). Ethnic studies : issues and approaches. Albany: State University of New York Press.
