Family Privilege Research Paper

A privilege is an aspect that people will rely on to have an advantage over another, which can be completely unjust. Dr. King states in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” that “It is a historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture, but groups tend to be more immoral than individuals.” I strongly agree with this implication. Even to this day groups will not give up their privileges willingly, consequently exhibiting exactly how unjust and inhumane these groups of people that have this “advantage” are and can be. Due to the numerous amount of circumstances leading to this accusation, like political leaders acting selfishly or

Privileges are things that a person receives that gives them an advantage over most people (Merriam-Webster). These are benefits that only certain people receive for being in a certain group or discourse. Peggy McIntosh, director of the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women, wrote “White Privilege and Male Privilege” and states “I think whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privileges, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege” (605). She argues that whites and males receive certain privileges, yet they do not even notice them. This shows that different races and women are still put at a disadvantage, but the people who receive the benefits are blind to the problem. Many people will argue that she is correct

Privilege creates dominance and dominance creates prejudice. A privilege is a benefit generally in wealth and social status, which is only given to a person or group. People who have privilege holds the capability to achieve what they desire because they have more freedom and access to resources they need such as, education. People have rights usually fall into believing that they are in control, and powerful than others, therefore resulting in segregation, disparity, and unfairness. Furthermore, prejudice is opinions of people or individual without reasonable feelings, knowledge, and thought especially of a hostile environment regarding an ethnic, social, racial, or religious group.

The Cadburys were an ideal example of how a middle class family could succeed during the industrial revolution. In Western England, the Cadbury family owned a small cloth and dry goods store, which flourished because of the industrial revolution. The Cadbury retail store ran by Richard and Elizabeth Cadbury, benefited greatly from the new sources of supply and expanding demand for cloth. This demand was derived from the industrial revolution making materials readily available to the public. The industrial revolution also brought more people into cities, resulting in more people able to buy these cheaper-newer items.

For instance, white people or people who have privilege, meaning that they have a career and a job, are privileged. On the other hand, there are a lot of disadvantaged population that won’t have the opportunity to live as their white folks. Disadvantaged population can be a minority of Whites, African-American, Hispanic and other minorities that didn’t developed the tools and skills to compete with a privileged population. For instance, the educational system is one encourages privilege and disadvantage separating the population more and more, creating a culture of acceptance and low skills as a norm among

Monahan (2014), stated privilege is understanding in relation to some corresponding form of oppression. The concept of privilege can be amplify in other areas such as gender, class and heterosexual privilege. For example, when it comes to gender privilege, men may get offered more money than women or get a better position. When it comes to heterosexual privilege, we still have some states that do not recognized same sex marriages and it is difficult to obtain their spouse pension or have issues with health insurances.

What is privilege? What does it mean? Is privilege inherited or is it earned? As an American resident of color I’ve learned that privilege in this country is something that is innate and inherited. The privilege that I speak of is that of White privilege.

Minorities are still fighting to be seen as equals and treated as human but people still think we have achieved equality today. It really is up to educators to teach children about white privilege and how it affects people. White privilege is something that white people benefit from just because of what they look like, but they have no control over it. This can range from having more opportunities for jobs to being more likely to have enough money to go to private school. I am focusing more on the idea that white people have these benefits and have the privilege to deny that such a divide exists. Being able to dismiss the idea of white privilege shows ignorance and can minimize the experiences of those who have suffered at the hands of white privilege.

Until quite recently, the traditional view of family that has predominated society has been comprised of gender roles. The “ideal” family in the past has consisted of a white, middle-class, heterosexual couple with about 2.5 children. In this heteronormative nuclear family, the father is the head of the household and the breadwinner of the family, while the mother is the one who cares for the children and completes household duties. Of course, most families do not fit into this mould and those who do not fit have been repeatedly marginalized due to their differences. It is no question that race, class, sexuality, ability, and many other identity markers intersect in how forms of family may vary. As explained by the concept of intersectionality, gender must be analyzed through a lens that includes various identity markers which contribute to how an individual experiences oppression. It is through the use of intersectionality, the discussion of patriarchy, and the deconstruction of “family” that bell hooks (1990) and Michelle K. Owen (2001) paint family as a site of belonging and contestation.

Society’s opinions are constantly, and rapidly changing, and consequently this poses significant challenges to the family law system in Australia. A family is a social unit containing individuals related by blood, marriage or other legally recognised relationships. Family law reforms have been implemented over the past three decades, entailing the recognition of same sex couples. Furthermore, a statutory presumption of shared parenting – as instigated by society’s transitioning values – displays the changing nature of parental responsibility. Not only are society’s views progressing, but surrogacy and birth technologies are

The book, Privilege, Power, and Difference brought awareness to where I stand as a Latina female in the United States. Growing up, I did not like to focus on the differences I experienced or saw others experience. These differences made me feel angry, scared, nervous, confused, and hopeless. Instead of focusing on the unfairness I was a part of I decided to look at it as a challenge, I would prove to myself that I could do whatever I set my mind to. I took every opportunity handed to me and tried to make the best of it, to make myself proud and my family proud. At least that is what I thought at the time, but now that I have had time to reflect on my desire to succeed I know that part of that desire comes from proving to the dominant culture that minorities can succeed.

For those in poverty, the word “privilege” means having access to clean drinking water, having food to eat, being employed, having functional clothes, etc. These are not only privileges, but they are needed for human survival. However, what is considered privilege today is not a matter of survival needs, they are rather wants. Wants are things that entertain and satisfy us, things such as the new iPhones, new tablets, new computers, new clothing line, and any other exclusive things that are not needed for survival. In some parts of the world there are a lack of toilets, bathrooms, or even toilet paper for that matter. Food is worked for rather than bought, and everything is self-taught and self-serviced. Transportation is by foot rather than any transportation vehicle or even a bicycle for that matter. Today, these

“It is, let us say, an entitlement that none of us should have to earn; ideally it is an unearned entitlement. At present, since only a few have it, it is an unearned advantage for them” (McIntosh, 15). Here are some instances where I have had unearned advantages. My culture can be obsessed with light skin. Colorism is a huge issue within desi culture media and personal life. I have a lighter skin tone and because of that I have gained unearned privileges such as being taken more seriously, being considered ‘pretty’ within the community, and so on. I also have the privilege of being an American citizen. Being a citizen has given me the unearned privilege of having access to more jobs, financial aid, access to health care at work, and more opportunities. I also have the privilege of being able bodied. I remember looking around at all the hills and stairs at UCLA and wondering how people in wheelchairs get around, this is something physically disabled people always have to consider. I also have the privilege of not worrying about taking medication, having enough money for medication, not getting a job because of my disability, having more access to opportunities, and much more. I also wanted to mention that although I am a minority, I am

In the beginning of the year I entered this class with a very sheltered and ignorant view of current and past events. Through time and sociological evolution I have begun to see things in a different light. The development of my ability, to look at something or some kind of situation, lets me use the sociological terms in such a manner to relate them to micro and macro problems in society. This started with the assigned readings of the class; the aim was to decipher the messages the authors were presenting. The goal was then to dig deeper and use my experiences to help myself understand the concepts throughout the course. "The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited." Plutarch (46-120 CE--common era) I was no longer

Although some individuals may wish or even naively claim that we live in a post-racial society, the reality in twenty first century America is that individual and institutional racism continues to take a horrible toll on young people of color, who are at greater risk of race-based violence, unjust criminalization, as well as economic, political and educational discrimination. The powerful advantages that come from being born white are immeasurable and painfully real. It is critical that white individuals recognize the depth of their privilege, but doing nothing more than that can appear self-congratulatory, and as an attempt to exempt them from responsibility. An example of one writer’s over-simplification of white privilege can be found