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Social inequality — AQA & Eduqas GCSE Sociology Definition

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Sociology
Key terms
Social inequality

GCSE Sociology · key term

Social inequality

Definition

Unequal access to resources, opportunities and rewards between social groups.

Used by AQA and Eduqas

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Sociology · 8192

Paper 1, Paper 2

The unequal distribution of resources, power and opportunities within society.
Critics argue that access based on ability to pay gives wealthier families advantages and helps reproduce social inequality. Smaller classes and extensive facilities may benefit pupils, but these benefits are not equally accessible to all families.
Revise: Education key terms
Unequal access to resources and opportunities between individuals or social groups.
Revise: Stratification, Mobility and Inequality Key Terms

Related key terms

Glass ceiling
Income
Cultural capital
Discrimination
Egalitarian

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AQA Sociology past papers

Eduqas GCSE Sociology · C200

Component 2

Differences between social groups in their access to resources, opportunities, rewards and power.
Social inequality means that social groups have unequal access to resources, opportunities, rewards and power. It matters because it affects life chances: the opportunities people have to gain a good education, secure work, adequate housing and good health. In the UK, sociologists examine differences associated with class, gender, ethnicity, age, disability and sexuality.
Revise: Evidence of Inequality in the UK
Revise: Impact of Globalisation

Eduqas Sociology past papers

Ethnic diversity

Ethnic minority