Dd102 - Tma01 - Inequality

DD102 - TMA01

In your own words define 'inequality' and provide two examples of this on City Road.

Inequality can be seen almost everywhere we go in everyday life. It can be the difference between being able to choose something we want or need and not being able to and can also refer to unequal access to economic and social resources.

In the video ‘The Life and Times of The Street’ we are shown the changes made over time and listening to people speak about the effects of this, not always for the better (The Open University, 2016a). An example of inequality is shown through the couple needing to use the food bank and the choices of food have been made for them, it is automatically given to them whereas people who can afford to shop for themselves have their own choices and can buy what they want. The people who attended the market and made their own purchases are a good indication of inequality.

Inequality can also be shown through a visual perception of our surroundings, we are shown the Mackintosh Centre which is a large foreboding building that has now been turned into a sports club, anyone can join but some people feel they would not be welcome there or they don't belong purely because of the appearance of the large stately looking building (The Open University, 2016b).

In conclusion it is often the perception of something that causes inequality and also the matter of choice in some circumstances. Lack of money, education and poor choices made in life can all contribute to inequality in some way or another.

(253 words)

References:

Blakeley, G. and Staples, M. (2014) ‘The life and times of the street’, in Allen, J. and Blakeley, G. (eds) Understanding Social Lives, Part 1, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

The Open University 2016 ‘Inequalities on the street’ [Video], DD102 Introducing the Social Sciences. Available at https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=443760&section=3.2 (30 January 2016).