Understanding Culture,

Society, and Politics

Quarter 2 – Module 7
Social Inequality

Senior High School

Image: https://bit.ly/2XLDjEZ

Understanding Culture,
Society, and Politics
Quarter 2 – Module 7
Social Inequality

1
 Table of Contents
COVER PAGE i
COPYRIGHT PAGE ii
TITLE PAGE iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iv
WHAT THIS MODULE IS ABOUT v
WHAT I NEED TO KNOW v
HOW TO LEARN FROM THIS MODULE vi
ICONS OF THIS MODULEvii
WHAT I KNOW viii
Lesson 1: Social Inequality 1

2
 What’s In: 1
What’s New: What Do You Think? 1
What is It: Social Inequality 2
What’s More: The One 3
Essay 4
What I Have Learned: True or False 5
What I Can Do: Enumeration 5
Summary 6
Assessment 7
Key to Answers 9
References 10

What This Module is About

Hello! We will move on towards learning an interesting topic about social
inequality. Inequality is present in the society. It is important to know that we
sometimes experience inequality but, sad to say, we are unaware about it. Inequality
means uneven distribution of resources and opportunities, where, a few have more
and many have less.

This module will teach us the many sources of inequality. Buckle up as we begin
to discover it.

What I Need to Know

3
 At the end of this module, you should be able to:

 Identify characteristics of the systems of stratification;

(UCSP11/12HSO--IId-31)

How to Learn from this Module

The following are your guides for the proper use of this module:

To the Learner:
1. Follow closely to the instructions in every activity.
2. Answer the pre-test before going over the material to find out what you
already know.
3. Answer all the exercises at the end of every lesson.
4. Review the lesson that you find difficult to understand. Be resourceful.
5. All answers should be written in the module, unless, otherwise specified,
example: sheet of paper or bondpaper.
6. All output should be placed in a folder which will serve as your portfolio. It
should be arranged in a sequential order.
7. Seek assistance from your teacher and parents/guardian.

4
To the Teacher:
1. Communicate with parents and learners regularly for updates and feedback.
2. Make sure that all activities are complied before accepting them.
3. You may contextualize or localize your activity as long as it is still within the
bound of the learning competency.

To the Parents/Guardian:
1. Closely monitor your child’s progress.
2. Do not answer the activities for your child. Just guide them in doing it.
3. Support your child. Talk to him/her about his/her journey with this module.

Icons of this Module

This part contains learning objectives that
What I Need to Know
are set for you to learn as you go along the
Learning Objectives
module.

This is an assessment as to your level of

What I Know? knowledge to the subject matter at hand,
Pre-Assessment meant specifically to gauge prior related
knowledge.

What’s In? This part connects previous lesson with

Review Activity that of the current one.

5
 An introduction of the new lesson through
What’s New?
various activities, before it will be
Motivational Activity
presented to you.

These are discussions as a way to deepen

What is It?
your discovery and understanding of the
Lesson Proper
concept.

These are follow-up activities that are

What’s More?
intended for you to practice further in order
Performance Task
to master the competencies.

What I Have Learned? Activities designed to process what you

Generalization have learned from the lesson.

These are tasks that are designed to show

What I Can Do? case your skills and knowledge gained,
Application and applied into real-life concerns and
situations.

This evaluates your level of mastery in

Assessment
achieving the learning objectives of the
Post-Assessment
lesson.

What I Know

PRETEST

Multiple Choice. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. People whose cultural background differs from that of the dominant members
of the society
a. ethnic minority c. PWD
b. women d. LGBT

6
2. People who are barred from some degree of power, prestige, or wealth.
a. dominant c. minority
b. wealthy d. majority

3. Women regarded as placed in the lower social status in the society compared
to men.
a. racial discrimination c. ethnic discrimination
b. gender discrimination d. disability discrimination

4. It is the existence of uneven opportunities and rewards for a diverse social

positions or statuses within a group or society.
a. economic inequality c. political inequality
b. cultural inequality d. social inequality

5. It is the thinking that one’s own race is superior than the others.
a. discrimination c. stereotyping
b. racism d. prejudice

6. This people who have physical impairments do not usually enjoy the benefits
that abled people received.
a. PWD c. ethnic group
b. LGBT d. women

7. This is a group of people whose gender preferences are subject to

discrimination.
a. dominant c. LGBT
b. minority d. PWD

8. An act of depriving minorities of equal treatment and are kept in the lower
status of the society and the resistance of equality.
a. stereotyping c. racism
b. discrimination d. prejudice

9. A negative attitude towards the members of a particular group.

a. prejudice c. discrimination
b. racism d. ethnocentrism

10. The belief that our own nation, race, or group is the best.
a. prejudice c. stereotyping
b. ethnocentrism d. racism

11. The situation when people encounter problem that they do not know how to
solve it.
a. ethnocentrism c. stereotyping
b. racism d. scapegoating

12. It refers to the tendency to picture all members of the particular group as
having the same qualities.

7
 a. discrimination c. stereotyping
b. racism d. prejudice

13. It is described on the basis of unequal distribution of income and wealth.

a. economic inequality c. political inequality
b. social inequality d. gender inequality

14. When people move, or migrate, from one society to another, they are
commonly called members of the ____________.
a. majority c. ethnic group
b. minority d. women’s group

15. Which of the following was not identified as a group that has substantial
advantages accorded upon them?
a. men c. members of the upper class
b. women d. wealthy

8
 Lesson Social Inequality

1
Learning Competency: Identify characteristics of the systems of
stratification
(UCSP11/12HSO--IId-31)

What’s In

What did you remember about the social stratification topic? Were you able to
find out your ascribed and achieved status? Were you able to look for rags to riches
story? I hope that whatever you learn in the previous module will give you an
inspiration to become the best you can be in the future.

What’s New

Activity 1: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Do you agree that women and men should always be treated the same way?
Give three (3) reasons.

1.__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.

2.__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.

3.__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.

1
 What Is It

Social inequality is the

existence of uneven opportunities and
rewards for a diverse social positions or
statuses within a group or society. It
happens when resources, in whatever
nature, are distributed unevenly in most
societies.

Social inequalities are correlated

also to gender inequality (women and
LGBT), ethnic minorities, racial
inequality and persons with disabilities,
etc.
Image: https://bit.ly/3cOzGSM

Gender and sexual orientation has been a subject in inequality.

Traditionally, women were regarded as placed in the lower social status in the
society compared to men. Men were accorded to have more social and political
rights. In these modern societies, though there are already many women
representations in the civil society, the culture of stereotyping is still evident. They
are also subjected to abuse and violence.

A similar situation is also experienced by the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual,

transgender) community whose gender preferences are subject to discrimination in
the society.

Ethnic minorities, as we usually call them taga-bukid (from the hinterlands),

are also subject to social discrimination – the cultural marginalization that they
experience from the dominant majority. They are also victims of stereotyping, abuse
and violence.

Persons with disabilities (PWD) or differently-abled persons are also

victims of inequality and deprived of the opportunities in the society especially in the
employment sector due to their physical impairments.

Minorities in the social structure. Members of the society that have more
power than others are called dominant members. Dominant members set the
standards in the society. They enjoy more privileges such as better houses, better
schools, and higher income. On the other hand, those who are barred from such
privileges and opportunities are called the minorities. They are usually denied by the
equal treatment of the majorities or dominant.

2
 Discrimination and prejudice. Discrimination happens when minorities are
being deprived of equal treatment and are kept in a lower status by the dominant
members of the society and the resistance of equality.
Closely linked to discrimination is prejudice. Prejudice can be either positive
or negative but most of the times it connotes negativity. Prejudice is defined as a
negative attitude toward the members of a particular group. It is a prejudgement of
others that allows us to brand or label them in various negative ways.
Discrimination is an act while prejudice is an attitude.

Stereotyping refers to our tendency to picture all members of a particular

category as having the same qualities. Usually, stereotyping is a result of over
generalization.

Ethnocentrism is the belief that our nation, race, or group is the best or
superior than others.

Scapegoating. This is a situation when people encounter problems that they

do not know how to solve it. Often they feel frustrated and eventually it leads to
aggression. When it happens, people usually look someone or something else to be
blamed for their own troubles or problems.

Racism. It is the belief that one’s own race is superior and has the right to
control or direct others.

There are ways to address this social inequality issues. First, there should be
enough laws to protect these vulnerable groups in the society. If laws are already
made available, execution of these laws should be strengthened.

Another way is to promote programs and projects from the government and
non-government organizations for these groups. Educate the public, in whatever
avenue, to address the culture of social inequality.

What’s More

Activity 2: THE ONE

1. It’s research time. Look for a profile of a woman, a member of the LGBT, a
member of an ethnic minority, and a differently abled person who has made
invaluable contribution in your community, in the society or in our country.
2. Describe each of their background and invaluable contributions to the society.
3. Use the format below as your guide but you can always modify it depending
on your own skills, creativity, and available resources. Use long bondpaper for
this activity; one profile per sheet.

3
 Name:
Age:
Civil Status:
Photo
Special
Talents/Skills:
Occupation:
Background:
Invaluable
contribution to
“Nickname” the society

Profiling Activity
Criteria Rating
Content and ideas are organized in a clear, logical manner. 5 4 3 2 1
The profile provides adequate if not complete background information. 5 4 3 2 1
The work is original. 5 4 3 2 1
Total points (15)

Activity 3: ESSAY

Do you think that men and women today have equal opportunities in our
society? Why or why not?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Rubric for Activity 3

Criteria Rating
The answer relates entirely to the assigned topic. 5 4 3 2 1
The answer conveys a genuine personal view regarding the 5 4 3 2 1
topic.
The work is original and does not contain plagiarized content. 5 4 3 2 1
Total points (15)

4
What Have I Learned

Activity 4: TRUE or FALSE

Direction: Write the word True if the statement is correct, write the word
False if the statement is incorrect.

1. Discrimination is a biased thought against an individual or group.

2. Having high quality, free education and health care available for
everyone help reduce inequality.
___________ 3. Same sex marriage is legal in the Philippines.
4. Women are accorded more on social and political rights.
5. Social inequality is almost present in all societies.

What I Can Do

Activity 5: ENUMERATION

Enumerate five (5) possible ways to eliminate, if not, minimize social

inequality in the society?

1. __________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________

5
 SUMMARY
 Social inequality is the existence of uneven opportunities and rewards for a
diverse social positions or statuses within a group or society.

 Gender and sexual orientation has been a subject in inequality. Traditionally,

women were regarded as placed in the lower social status in the society
compared to men.

 A similar situation is also experienced by the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual,

transgender) community whose gender preferences are subject to
discrimination in the society.

 Ethnic minorities are also subject to social discrimination – the cultural

marginalization that they experience from the dominant majority.

 Persons with disabilities (PWD) or differently-abled persons are also victims of

inequality and deprived of the opportunities in the society especially in the
employment sector due to their physical impairments.

 Members of the society that have more power than others are called dominant
members. Those who are barred from such privileges and opportunities are
called the minorities.

 Discrimination happens when minorities are being deprived of equal treatment

and are kept in a lower status by the dominant members of the society and
the resistance of equality.

 Prejudice is defined as a negative attitude toward the members of a particular

group. It is a prejudgement of others that allows us to brand or label them in
various negative ways.

 Stereotyping refers to our tendency to picture all members of a particular

category as having the same qualities.

 Ethnocentrism is the belief that our nation, race, or group is the best or
superior than others.

 Scapegoating is a situation when people encounter problems that they do not

know how to solve it. People usually look someone or something else to be
blamed for their own troubles or problems.

 Racism is the belief that one’s own race is superior and has the right to
control or direct others.

6
 ASSESSMENT

POSTTEST

Multiple Choice. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. People whose cultural background differs from that of the dominant members
of the society
a. ethnic minority c. PWD
b. women d. LGBT

2. People who are barred from some degree of power, prestige, or wealth.
a. dominant c. minority
b. wealthy d. majority

3. Women regarded as placed in the lower social status in the society compared
to men.
a. racial discrimination c. ethnic discrimination
b. gender discrimination d. disability discrimination

4. It is the existence of uneven opportunities and rewards for a diverse social

positions or statuses within a group or society.
a. economic inequality c. political inequality
b. cultural inequality d. social inequality

5. It is the thinking that one’s own race is superior than the others.
a. discrimination c. stereotyping
b. racism d. prejudice

6. This people who have physical impairments do not usually enjoy the benefits
that abled people received.
a. PWD c. ethnic group
b. LGBT d. women

7. This is a group of people whose gender preferences are subject to

discrimination.
a. dominant c. LGBT
b. minority d. PWD

8. An act of depriving minorities of equal treatment and are kept in the lower
status of the society and the resistance of equality.
a. stereotyping c. racism
b. discrimination d. prejudice

7
9. A negative attitude towards the members of a particular group.
a. prejudice c. discrimination
b. racism d. ethnocentrism

10. The belief that our own nation, race, or group is the best.
a. prejudice c. stereotyping
b. ethnocentrism d. racism

11. The situation when people encounter problem that they do not know how to
solve it.
a. ethnocentrism c. stereotyping
b. racism d. scapegoating

12. It refers to the tendency to picture all members of the particular group as
having the same qualities.
a. discrimination c. stereotyping
b. racism d. prejudice

13. It is described on the basis of unequal distribution of income and wealth.

a. economic inequality c. political inequality
b. social inequality d. gender inequality

14. When people move, or migrate, from one society to another, they are
commonly called members of the ____________.
a. majority c. ethnic group
b. minority d. women’s group

15. Which of the following was not identified as a group that has substantial
advantages accorded upon them?
a. men c. members of the upper class
b. women d. wealthy

8
 KEY TO ANSWERS

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True

KEY TO ANSWERS

PRETEST

1. a 6. a 11. d
2. c 7. c 12. c
3. b 8. b 13. a
4. d 9. a 14. b
5. b 10. b 15. b

POSTTEST

1. a 6. a 11. d
2. c 7. c 12. c
3. b 8. b 13. a
4. d 9. a 14. b
5. b 10. b 15. b
 REFERENCE
Antonio P. Contreras, Arleigh Ross D. Dela Cruz, Dennis S. Erasga, Cecile C.
Fadrigon, Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics, Quezon City:
Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2016, 247-249.

Ederlina D. Baleña, Dolores M. Lucero, Arnel M. Peralta, Understanding Culture,

Society, and Politics for Senior High School, Quezon City: Educational
Resources Corporation, 2016, 133-147.

"Chapter 11. Race and Ethnicity – Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian Edition."
BC Open Textbooks – Open Textbooks Adapted and Created by BC Faculty.
Last modified November 6, 2014.
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter11-race-and-
ethnicity/.

"Prejudice and Discrimination | Boundless Sociology." Lumen Learning – Simple

Book Production. Accessed June 14, 2020.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/prejudice-and-
discrimination/.

"Women in the Workplace | Boundless Sociology." Lumen Learning – Simple Book

Production. Accessed June 14, 2020.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/women-in-the-
workplace/.

10