GCU Demographic Trends Discussion

According to the conflict perspective, social institutions promote social inequality and the status quo for the benefit of certain populations and conversely, for the disadvantage of others. Demographic trends refer to patterns of change that pertain to populations within society which may reflect systems of inequality perpetuated by social institutions. 

Task

For this discusssion assignment, identify demographic trends that reflect inequality or disadvantage in education, religion or family. 

• Using GALILEO, search for academic, credible sources that include statistical data to support structural inequalities and provide examples of social policies for social change or corrective action.
• Using the statistical data, interpret the impact of demographic trends on disadvantaged populations and reflect on the social institutions of education, religion or family.
• Answer the following discussion prompts for only ONE of the social institutions in 250-500 words (total):

Education: How do demographic trends shape educational outcomes?

• How does race, gender or social class influence achievement scores, dropout rates or graduation rates?
• Based on demographics, which populations have lower educational outcomes? Why?
• How does the educational institution perpetuate social inequality or disadvantage for these populations?
• What are some examples of social policies (e.g., grassroots movements, institutional policy, legislative action) that can enact social change?

Religion: How do demographic trends shape religious hate crimes?

• How does race, gender or social class influence religious hate crimes?
• Based on demographics, which populations have higher rates of religious hate crime? Why?
• How does the religious institution perpetuate social inequality or disadvantage for these populations?
• What are some examples of social policies (e.g., grassroots movements, institutional policy, legislative action) that can enact social change?

Family: How do demographic trends shape divorce rates or rates of intimate partner violence (IPV)?

• How does race, gender or social class influence divorce rates of rates of IPV?
• Based on demographics, which populations have higher rates of divorce or IPV? Why?
• How does the family institution perpetuate social inequality or disadvantage for these populations?
• What are some examples of social policies (e.g., grassroots movements, institutional policy, legislative action) that can enact social change?