Question 1

In 2011, the United States Treasury Department reported that individuals with a bachelor's degree earned more than those with only a high school diploma. How much more did college graduates earn according to 2011 figures?

Accepted Answer

A)   10%
B)   25%
C)   53%
D)   64%
E)   90% D

Question 2

Describe how the effects of income and wealth inequality affect families throughout generations. Why does it matter that minority families were poor three generations ago if laws and practices are more fair today? How does that differ from the effect of wealth inequality on white families?

Accepted Answer

The effects of income and wealth inequality can have a lasting impact on families throughout generations. When families have limited access to resources and opportunities due to economic disparities, it can create a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break. This can lead to limited access to quality education, healthcare, and housing, which in turn can perpetuate the cycle of poverty for future generations.

It matters that minority families were poor three generations ago because the effects of historical economic injustices can still be felt today. While laws and practices may be more fair today, the lingering effects of past discrimination and inequality can still impact the economic opportunities available to minority families. This can create a barrier to upward mobility and perpetuate the cycle of poverty within minority communities.

On the other hand, wealth inequality can have a different effect on white families. While economic disparities can still exist within white communities, historical discrimination and systemic barriers have not had the same impact on white families as they have on minority families. This means that white families may have had more opportunities to accumulate wealth and pass it down through generations, creating a cycle of privilege and economic advantage.

In conclusion, the effects of income and wealth inequality can have a significant impact on families throughout generations. It is important to recognize the historical context of economic disparities and work towards creating more equitable opportunities for all families, regardless of race or ethnicity. This can help break the cycle of poverty and create a more just and inclusive society for future generations.

Question 3

Which of the following is true when you compare the distribution of wealth between white and black families?

Accepted Answer

A)   Families are likely to have similar median incomes, regardless of race.
B)   Black families tend to have slightly more wealth because of being accustomed to living in poverty and saving better.
C)   White families tend to have slightly more wealth because whites are used to having money and know how to manage it better.
D)   White families have far more wealth than black families because white families tend to have other resources than their homes. D

Question 4

_______ refers to biological differences in reproductive organs; _______ refers to social expectations for individuals with those reproductive organs.

Accepted Answer

A)   Gender; sex
B)   Sex; gender
C)   Sex; sex
D)   The terms are interchangeable.

Question 5

In 2012, women earned how many cents for each dollar a man earned?

Accepted Answer

A)   100
B)   97
C)   85
D)   77

Question 6

The concept of "race" is

Accepted Answer

A)   a reflection of genetic and biological differences inherent in every individual.
B)   a combination of biological and social features.
C)   a social construct that is biologically arbitrary and holds little to no meaning.
D)   none of the above.

Question 7

Of a population of 100 black adults, how many have experienced poverty at some time in their lives?

Accepted Answer

A)   25
B)   54
C)   91
D)   102

Question 8

Approximately how much less do women in management positions earn than their male counterparts?

Accepted Answer

A)   Their salaries are actually equal at the top levels.
B)   They earn 5% less; gender inequality is smaller at the upper levels
C)   They earn 10% less.
D)   They earn nearly one-fourth less.

Question 9

List at least three common explanations for the gender wage gap. Using a critical constructionist perspective, explain why these common explanations are problematic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List at least three common explanations for...

Question 10

Our society expects males and females to behave differently.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Heiner argues that affirmative action has not yet outlived its usefulness because

Accepted Answer

A)   no other viable solution has been proposed.
B)   we don't yet have 50% minority employment.
C)   a significant number of employers will still discriminate if left to their own devices.
D)   we don't have wealth shared 50-50 between minorities and nonminorities.
E)   a and c are true.F)  b and d are true.

Question 12

Your gender has an effect on your life chances.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Which of the following is true about education in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)   The education system in the United States scores very poorly when ranked with other nations worldwide.
B)   If we compare scores only of middle-class and upper-class children to the rest of the world, the United States would rank very highly.
C)   The education system is decentralized, which means that school systems are reliant on local resources to fund education, thus reinforcing inequality.
D)   All of the above.

Question 14

In modern society, issues like race no longer affect a person's life chances.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Women earn less than men, on average, because

Accepted Answer

A)   women's nature steers them toward lower paying "caring" professions like child care and nursing.
B)   women get pregnant and don't want to work anymore.
C)   social expectations come into play that channel women into lower paying jobs and discourage them from advocating for better pay.
D)   none of the above.

Question 16

According to the US Census, if 10,000 whites are living in poverty, how many Hispanics or African Americans are living in poverty?

Accepted Answer

A)   5,000
B)   20,000-30,000
C)   50,000
D)   7,532

Question 17

Affirmative action has been successful at reducing racial inequality in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Affirmative action has been successful at reducing...

Question 18

Norway requires at least 7% of the membership of boards of directors of large corporations to be female, and the country is considering raising the quota to 40%. Norway has implemented this policy because

Accepted Answer

A)   Norway is a socialist country.
B)   Norway was forced to do so by the World Bank.
C)   Norway believes that increasing gender equality is a competitive advantage.
D)   None of the above.

Question 19

Per person, the United States spends more money on healthcare than any other nation. Where does the US healthcare system fall in comparison to the rest of the world according to the World Health Organization?

Accepted Answer

A)   The United States leads the world in healthcare.
B)   The United States is in the top 10%.
C)   The United States ranks 37th out of 191 countries.
D)   The United States ranks 25th out of 191 countries.

Question 20

Racism is always obvious and is thus easy to oppose, legislate against, and punish.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 3: Inequality of Life Chances in the United States

In 2011, the United States Treasury Department reported that individuals with a bachelor's degree earned more than those with only a high school diploma. How much more did college graduates earn according to 2011 figures?

Describe how the effects of income and wealth inequality affect families throughout generations. Why does it matter that minority families were poor three generations ago if laws and practices are more fair today? How does that differ from the effect of wealth inequality on white families?

Which of the following is true when you compare the distribution of wealth between white and black families?

_ refers to biological differences in reproductive organs; _ refers to social expectations for individuals with those reproductive organs.

In 2012, women earned how many cents for each dollar a man earned?

The concept of "race" is

Of a population of 100 black adults, how many have experienced poverty at some time in their lives?

Approximately how much less do women in management positions earn than their male counterparts?

List at least three common explanations for the gender wage gap. Using a critical constructionist perspective, explain why these common explanations are problematic.

Our society expects males and females to behave differently.

Heiner argues that affirmative action has not yet outlived its usefulness because

Your gender has an effect on your life chances.

Which of the following is true about education in the United States?

In modern society, issues like race no longer affect a person's life chances.

Women earn less than men, on average, because

According to the US Census, if 10,000 whites are living in poverty, how many Hispanics or African Americans are living in poverty?

Affirmative action has been successful at reducing racial inequality in the United States.

Norway requires at least 7% of the membership of boards of directors of large corporations to be female, and the country is considering raising the quota to 40%. Norway has implemented this policy because

Per person, the United States spends more money on healthcare than any other nation. Where does the US healthcare system fall in comparison to the rest of the world according to the World Health Organization?

Racism is always obvious and is thus easy to oppose, legislate against, and punish.