Ethnicity and Social Class: Perspectives and Definitions

This report explores the concepts of ethnicity and social class, providing definitions and discussing their impact on society. It also examines the perspectives of Marxism and functionalism in relation to these concepts.

HEALTH & SOCIAL SCIENCE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................3
1. Ethnicity.............................................................................................................................3
Definition of Ethnicity............................................................................................................3
Ethnicity constructed- ............................................................................................................3
2. Social class.........................................................................................................................4
1. Definition of social class....................................................................................................4
Social division........................................................................................................................4
Decriminalization of Homosexuality.....................................................................................5
Feminist .................................................................................................................................5
Equality act 2010-: ................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFRENCES ..................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Ethnicity can be termed out as social group that has common cultural tradition. It is
relates with the large group of people as per common racial, national, religious or cultural origin
(Williams, Kemp and Haslam, 2019). On the other hand, social class termed out as concepts in
social science and political centred on models social stratification in which individual are
grouped in set of hierarchy social categories. The present report is based on ethnicity in first part
and social class in second part. However, report will outline Marxism and functionalism
perspective.
MAIN BODY
1. Ethnicity
Definition of Ethnicity
Ethnicity called out as ethnic and cultural origins of the individual ancestors. These are
the groups that are defined with shared set of evolutionary features that is inclusive of physical
characteristics, similar traits and skin tone (Frossard, Genin and Villez, 2019). Ethnicity is one of
major source of social cohesion and social conflict.
Ethnicity constructed-
This is one of the major term and ethnicity has become the vital issue in the society.
However, ethnicity social constructs defined as term that divides individual into smaller and
social groups that is based on shared sense of the group membership, values, behavioural
patterns, political and economic interest ( Harriss, MacSween and Atkinson, 2019). This is term
that has the way to define the idea in which better ethnicity and culture can be constructed in
better mode.
Ethnicity socialization- Therefore, ethnicity is constructed and its defined in following context
as-
Social stratification- It is termed out as society that categories its people in the rankings of
socio-economic tiers that is mainly based on wealth, income, race, power and education. It is
termed out as the social differentiation in which members of society are grouped unto status of
socio-economic that based on occupation, income and wealth. Creation of ethnicity aids to
identify the norms of society in true perspective (Hennink, 2017). Thus, the crucial theories of
social stratification are outlined as-:

 Marxian theory of social stratification- It is perspective that provides radical
alternative relates with functionalist per of the nature. This is theory that is based division
rather than integration of classes (Finlay and Gough, 2018). It is theory that helps to
define social stratification as this is the existence of two economic classes in society and
this also aids to define the relationship of class struggle among these tow have been
defined.
 Equilibrium theory of social stratification- This is theory that stated as changes in cone
aspect of the society needs adjustment in another aspect. It is essential for the society to
provide motivation to accept the unequal rewards system.
 Conflict theory of social stratification- The conflict theory of takes the different view
of the society. This is technique that aids to conducts the views over stratification as
result of the differentiation distribution of power within the society in which coercion. In
addition to this, the conflict theory relates with social stratification that relates with
presence of coercion and conflict in society.
 Functionalist theory of stratification- This is termed out as the sociological perspective
that put the major consideration on the ways in which complex pattern of social structure
and arrangements contributes the social order (Finlay and Gough, 2018). It is one of the
systematic theory that is mainly designed to carry out the essential functions of human
life. With undertaking the systematic approach this is theory that is needed for society to
increase the stability and also motivates the members of society to work hard.
View on theories of ethnicity- In this, it can be stated that issues of race and ethnicity can be
observed with the three major wide sociological perspective that relates with functionalism,
conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. These all theories helps to define the race and
ethnicity as the crucial source that defines the individual identity and social symbolism.
Henceforth, these theories plays dominant and subordinate groups that aids to creates the stable
social structure.
2. Social class
1. Definition of social class
Social class can be called out as set of concepts in the social science and political theory
that can be centred on model of social satisfaction in which individual can be grouped together
into the set of hierarchical social categories. It is termed that refer as group of people that

occupies similar position within economy system of production. It is based on income, wealth,
behaviour, power and culture etc.
Social division
This is termed out as categories such as class, race, gender and geographic location that
aids to indicate difference among the lifestyle and experience. In addition to this, it can be stated
that social vision can be closely tied up with social inequality as this indicates the degree in
which individual can able to access the the resource and opportunities. Social division can be
defined as continual patterns of division in society that is linked with membership of social
groupings that relates with advantage and disadvantage. Social division means to bring out the
equality on the basis of gender equality, ethnicity and cultural group etc. These all plays greater
role to build the better social class division among society.
Decriminalization of Homosexuality
This is the act that termed out as contented that decriminalising homosexuality that aids
to make prevention of immoral trafficking act 1956. Therefore, this act needs to be maintained if
the section is allowed then sexual transmitted disease like AIDS. In the workplace, the people do
not get discriminated on the basis of homosexuality (Hennink, 2017). Therefore, this can be
stated that homosexuality can be termed out as one of the three main categories of sexual
orientation within the heterosexual–homosexual continuum. Henceforth, this can be stated that
homosexual can be considered as a deviance and behaviour that not comply with social norms
and values of the society.
Feminist
Feminism can be defined as concerned with equity, oppression and justice that can called
out as central themes in public health ethics (Frossard, Genin and Villez, 2019). In addition to
this, it is stated that feminist approach to health inequality leads to examine the connections
among disadvantage and health and the distribution of power in the processes of public health.
Therefore, this can be stated that relation of women as social group aids to analyse the economic
class that set the common set of women interest across the wide range of race, class and
ethnicity. Also, this can be stated that feminist theory put the major consideration in inequality
that identify the women location in and experience of social situation that are not only different
but also unequal to men. Feminism can be termed as one of the basic movements that assist to

actively identify the need of work that helps to creates the equality for all women ( Harriss,
MacSween and Atkinson, 2019).
Equality act 2010-:
This is act that comes into force on October 2010. Therefore, this is the act that offers
legal framework and this aids to protect the rights of individuals and also assist to advanc3e the
equal opportunities for all individuals (Williams, Kemp and Haslam, 2019). By treating all the
individual equally on the basis of gender, class, division, race, culture, ethnicity this act has been
formulated. This is the act that is helpful in terms to prohibiting the discrimination that relates
with sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in wide variety of areas that is inclusive of public
accommodation, facilities, employment and housing etc. No women must be discriminated at the
workplace and in terms to health inequalities. In addition to this, it can be stated that basic
framework of protection against direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation
in services. This act provide effective support to treat all individuals in equitable manner.
CONCLUSION
Hereby, it can be concluded that ethnicity is category of people that identified with one
another. Therefore, ethnicity appears as enhancing relevant category of social stratification
within the contemporary and multi-ethnic societies. On the other hand, social division is mainly
based on colour, ethnicity and religion. Thus, report has outlined the depth description on
ethnicity in first part and social class division in second part. However, report has covered
Marxism and functionalism perspective to explain the ethnicity.

REFRENCES
Book & Journal
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contemporary social science to health and healthcare. Cambridge University Press.
Frossard, M., Genin, N. and Villez, A., 2019. Providing Integrated Health and Social Care for
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Harriss, D.J., MacSween, A. and Atkinson, G., 2019. Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise
Science Research: 2020 Update. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(13), pp.813-
817.
Hennink, M.M., 2017. International focus group research: A handbook for the health and social
sciences. Cambridge University Press.
Finlay, L. and Gough, B. eds., 2018. Reflexivity: A practical guide for researchers in health and
social sciences. John Wiley & Sons.