Unpacking Social Inequality: The Significance of Socially Constructed Age, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity Variables

According to Cockerham age, gender, race/ethnicity variables are biological in origin and it’s their ______________ into _________ _________ by society at large that gives them their explanatory power in social situation. The definitions that are applied to age, gender race/ethnicity variables (social variables) are a result of stratification that sorts people into different social categories according to their biological characteristics

transformation, social variables

According to Cockerham, age, gender, race/ethnicity variables are biological in origin, and it’s their social construction into social categories by society at large that gives them their explanatory power in social situations. The definitions and meanings that are applied to age, gender, and race/ethnicity variables (social variables) are a result of social stratification that sorts people into different social categories based on their biological characteristics.

This social construction of age, gender, and race/ethnicity variables has significant consequences in terms of social inequality and stratification. Social categories such as race or gender often have power inequalities associated with them, where individuals in certain categories are systematically advantaged or disadvantaged in relation to others. For example, women may experience discrimination or lower wages compared to men in the same job position, while people of color may face institutional discrimination in housing, education, and employment opportunities.

Therefore, understanding the social construction of age, gender, and race/ethnicity variables is crucial for understanding social inequality and how it operates in society. It helps to explain why certain social categories have more or less power than others, and how these power dynamics affect individuals and groups within society.

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