Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Quickway 3 Reading

What is a Minority Group?
-A subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their lives than members of a dominant or majority group-Not limited to mathematical minority: example women, Blacks in South Africa, Blacks in Mississippi and South Carolina in the 1920's-Interchangeable with subordinate group-A group that experiences a narrowing of opportunities (success, education, wealth, etc) that is disproportionately low compared to their numbers in the society
Characteristics of a Minority Group:-Distinguishing physical or cultural traits, e.g. skin color or language-Unequal Treatment and Less Power over their lives-Involuntary membership in the group (no personal choice)-Awareness of subordination and strong sense of group solidarity-High In-group Marriage
Types of Minority Groups:
1.Racial:
Groups who are classified according to obvious physical characteristics, e.g. skin color
For example: Blacks, American Indian, Asian Americans, Hawaiians.. in the US
2.Ethnic:
Groups who are differentiated on the basis of culture such as language, food
US Ethnic Minority Groups: Hispanics or Latinos such as Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Cuban; Jews are also considered cultural minorities instead of religious minorities.Racial groups can also so have distinctive cultural traditionsNote: Ethnic minority can be either black or white or Asian American or Native American. So that a person can be both Black and Hispanic
3.Religious:
Groups who have a religion other than the dominant faith.Religious minorities in the US are for instance: Muslims, Amish, Mormons, Roman Catholics
4.Gender:Males are a social majority; women demonstrate four out of five characteristics of minority status. There are no in-group marriages.

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