Discrimination Discrimination in American in American SocietySociety

IntroductionIntroduction

Discrimination and poverty are inextricably linked to the fabric of American social welfare

Economic, social, and political discrimination often leads to poverty, which in turn, results in the need for income maintenance and other social programs

Topics to be Discussed…

African Americans

Hispanic Americans

In-School Bullying

Women

UNICEF, “Adolescents: Beyond the

Stereotypes”

Discrimination Discrimination Expressed through frustration and/or aggression

When individuals hold prejudicial attitudes because of their socialization

Dominate groups often discriminate to maintain their economic political advantages

RacismRacism

Discrimination against and prejudicial treatment of a racially different minority group

Strongly Entrenched in Society

African Americans African Americans

Poverty - 8.9 million or 23.9% live below the poverty rate (compared to 8% of whites)

Family Structure – 48% married couples, 43% single female-headed households, 9% men only. 36% of children reside with both parents

African American Businesses – grew by 46% in the late 80s and early 90s. Only 1% of total business receipts were to black-owned businesses.

African Americans African Americans

Health – AA Infant mortality rate 13.6 per 1000 live births (compared to 5.7 for whites)

AA account for more than ½ of all new HIV diagnosis

Education – The same % of black and white students graduate from high school

18% of blacks over 25 years old are college graduates (compared to 34% of whites)

Fewer minority college graduates go on to obtain advanced degrees

Hispanic AmericansHispanic Americans

The largest minority group: about 50 million (out of 311 million), or 1 in every 6 Americans

By 2050, 25% of US population will be Hispanic

Hispanic masks diversity with the group: the term is use to describe families with histories from 22 different nations

Hispanic AmericansHispanic Americans

This Hispanic poverty rate surpasses the black poverty rate (22%)

Hispanic children represent 18% of all US children but make up 30% of all children living in poverty

Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans

More than 2 in 5 Hispanics aged 25 and older have not graduated from high school

Hispanics aged 25 and older were less likely to have graduated from high school than whites (57% to 89%)

More than ¼ of Hispanics have less than a 9th grade education (4% whites)

11% have college degrees (compared to 29% whites)

In-School Bullying

Everyone has a story to tell

Everyone has felt different

What do we remember from 30 years ago that has made a lasting impression in school environment?

Students are experiencing and living NOW!

What lessons will they remember from our time 30 years from now?

“Stole” Kelly Rowland

In-School Bullying

Causes of Bullying in American Schools:

Desire for ControlCycle of AbuseInfluence of MediaGang MembershipSelf-Esteem IssuesCultural/Religious/Gender/Ethnic/Racial Discrimination

Women and Society Women and Society

The Feminization of Poverty –Idea that poverty was rapidly becoming a female phenomenon

The poverty rate for women is 13.7% & for single mother families is 35.5%

2 of 3 poor adults are women

4 of 10 families headed by women live in poverty

Women and Society

Gender Discrimination???Workplace

“Glass Ceiling” Effect

Academic Institutions

Housing

Financial Assistance

SociallySports—WHICH can be played by men and/or women?

Religion—WHAT positions can be held by men and/or women?

Women and Society Women and Society

• Violence against Women Act (VAWA)– Comprehensive approach to

domestic violence and sexual assault– Designed to improve response of

police, prosecutors and judges– Force sex offenders to pay

restitution to victims– Grants for graining in domestic

abuse, battered women’s shelters, hotlines etc.