Access to equal opportunities and inequality can significantly affect life chance of an individual. Different studies have tried to understand the effect of equal opportunity and variation on the life of an individual. Such studies were conducted at different times using representative sample sizes to give a clear insight into the effect of the two concepts on the life chance of an individual. The purpose of this literature review is to understand the impact of access to equal opportunity and inequality on the life chance of an individual. The paper will synthesize the information from five secondary sources to build on the current work.
Researchers tend to agree that inequality and race affect the life balance of an individual. Powell (2008) found out that many African Americans live in poor conditions. The author wanted to investigate the relationship between race, opportunity, place, and segregation. According to him, people eke a living depending on the opportunities available to them. The ability to live a fulfilling life, therefore, was affected by race and the available opportunities. In another reply, pager (2008) argued that racial inequality exists in employment, housing, and other social settings. According to the author, such issues raise questions as to the extent to which discriminations affects the minority groups. The author found out that perception was not the only cause of inequality based on race.
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Inequality and race are likely to determine the living standards of an individual. According to Jenkins (2007), poverty levels affect individual access to housing and their neighborhood. According to the author, poor people from marginalized groups are likely to live in places that lack the necessary social amenities that support a decent life. Lin and Harris (2009) supported this argument when they argued that racial disparity could significantly affect an individual's quality of life. Similarly, according to Campbell (2011), there is a strong correlation between racial discrimination and equal opportunity. According to the author, inequality affects the ability of an individual to access basic needs. The author found out race plays a significant role in determining the quality of life that an individual leads.
Understanding the relationship between equal opportunity and race in the developed countries is also critical. Researchers have conducted studies between different ethnic groups to understand whether race affects the life of an individual in such countries. According to Jenkins, (2007) Americas believe that race is not a significant issue in the understanding of poverty and identifying a lasting solution. Lin and Harris (2009) in their study were determined to understand the influence of racial disparity in America, and according to the authors, ethnic differences and poverty are closely related.
Access to opportunity and inequality plays a significant role in society. There are substantial differences between an individual who can access opportunities and one who is discriminated by race. A person who can obtain a stable job can live in a better house and also access medical care. However, discrimination based on race can reduce the ability of an individual to access such amenities and therefore live a fulfilling life. According to pager (2008) inequality between racial and ethnic groups is a result of complex issues that interact with each other. The author examined the concept using content analysis of racial discrimination related information. The author focused on racial discrimination which is a significant factor that shapes the contemporary patterns of inequality. Powel (2008) focused on enhanced opportunities and living conditions for the residents in a study area. According to him, access to jobs, housing, and education improve the livelihood of an individual.
Poverty and discrimination play a significant role in society. Access to opportunities can significantly reduce the level of poverty. Lin and Harris (2009) studied education and poverty using critical terms like race, poverty, privilege and disadvantage and fo.und a strong relationship between poverty and racial differences. The authors pointed out that racial disparity declines at a slower rate compared to improvements in equality. Jetkins (2007) supports Lin and Harris argument on inequality and poverty. The author, however, went a step further to indicate issues like shared values and the fate of an individual as well as policies and politics.
Poverty and discrimination affect the ability of a society to access essential amenities like schools and hospitals. According to Jetkins (2007), poor communities living in concentrated areas are likely to be cut off such facilities like schools, affordable consumer credit and other factors that can lead to enhanced living standards. The Author points out that low-income African Americans are three times likely to be poor than their white counterparts. However, the author points out that discrimination is highly invisible to the victims who are unlikely to be aware that they have been forced to live in some neighborhoods or have received inaccurate information. Lin and Harris (2009) support the author’s view that education, social networks, and health affects the living standards of an individual. The authors further look into a race where they observed that children from minority groups and low-income families are likely to face challenges in their schooling compared to their white counterparts. The author’s point if further reinforce by Campbell (2011) who observes that access to education is affected by opportunities, poverty, and race.
Different studies have indicated that access to opportunity improves the quality of life of the individual. According to Campbell (2011), opportunity gives an individual an upper hand to access similar goals with minimal or no obstacles. The author points out discrimination is one obstacle to the opportunity because it affects the ability to access quality education, healthcare, and housing. Pager concurs with the author and points out that discrimination is still a relevant issue in the quality of life. According to the author, bias contributes to the variance of individuals and therefore affects their quality of life.
References
Campbell, T. (2011). The Concept of Equality of Opportunity | Equality of Opportunity and Education . [online] Edeq.stanford.edu. Available at: https://edeq.stanford.edu/sections/concept-equality-opportunity [Accessed 21 Sep. 2018].
Devah Pager, H. (2008). The Sociology of Discrimination: Racial Discrimination in Employment, Housing, Credit, and Consumer Markets . [online] PubMed Central (PMC). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2915460/ [Accessed 21 Sep. 2018].
Jenkins, A. (2007). Inequality, Race, and Remedy . [online] The American Prospect. Available at: http://prospect.org/article/inequality-race-and-remedy [Accessed 21 Sep. 2018].
Lin, A. and Harris, D. (2009). Research Publications | Poverty Solutions at The University of Michigan . [online] Npc.umich.edu. Available at: http://www.npc.umich.edu/publications/policy_briefs/brief16/ [Accessed 26 Sep. 2018].
Powell, J. (2008). Race, Place, and Opportunity . [online] The American Prospect. Available at: http://prospect.org/article/race-place-and-opportunity [Accessed 21 Sep. 2018].
