Social Inequality Las Vegas, Nevada
The gap between the rich and poor has increased during the twenty-first century and especially so in Las Vegas Nevada. However, most citizens are unaware of the inequalities in society. Social inequality is primarily attributed to more income going to the very rich in society. Social inequality affects the society economically, socially and politically. Social inequality in Las Vegas Nevada is reinforced by both poverty and racism, with poor, black residents being considered inferior to all other residents.
Wealth inequality in Las Vegas Nevada sees a growing gap between the rich and the poor. Analysis of income inequality in Nevada indicates that over the last decade, the wealthiest residents in the states benefit more from economic growth. At the same time, basic living expenses have risen for middle and low-income residents. Study shows that most Nevada residents earn less today than before the great recession. According to Brune et al., “As of 2017, almost a decade after the end of the Great Recession, median family income in Nevada still has not returned to the pre-recession level. In 2007, Nevada’s real median household income was $63,547, and in 2017, it was $55,434” (2017). Research indicates over 55 per cent of the state of Nevada’s income goes to the wealthiest which consists of the 10 per cent of the population leaving less than half of the state income to be shared the vast majority of the population (Brune et al., 2017). The Las Vegas Casino culture has been a “highly effective tool at redistributing wealth from the have-nots to the haves, from the problem gamblers who provide casinos with as much as half of their revenues, to the casinos and governments that sponsor them.” The wealth inequality has resulted in “higher rates of crime, home foreclosures, bankruptcy filings and suicides in Las Vegas and Nevada than anywhere else in the country.” (Skolnik, 2014). Majority of the people of color and the minority work in service jobs that pay low wages meaning that most of these people live in poverty with few resources and opportunities for success.
Nevada has a poverty rate of 12 per cent with 17 per cent of households of color living in poverty compared to nine per cent of white households. There is a significant racial disparity in Las Vegas Nevada that influences the economic opportunities for low-income families and communities in the state. According to Solis, “about 31 per cent of Native American households and about 26 per cent of African American households live in poverty” (2019). The report shows how a majority of households of color in Nevada fall behind on bill payments as compared to other races (Solis, 2019). Also, the study shows that people of color comprise the majority of those with no insurance coverage (Solis, 2019). Therefore, those living in poverty are more likely to die from preventable and treatable illnesses. Also, those living in poverty are more likely to engage in criminal activities to earn a living for themselves. Given that the majority of the poor are people of color, racism and poverty contribute significantly to social inequality in Nevada.
Social inequality significantly affects the education system in the state of Nevada. Research shows that poverty is directly associated with low academic performance. A report by Whitaker indicates that the state of Nevada has over 20 per cent of children living in poverty, mostly due to their parent’s lack of stable jobs (2016). Research shows that “due to a lack of resources, many students struggle to reach the same academic achievement levels of students not living in poverty” (Whitaker, 2016). Students living in poverty are exposed to fewer words and vocabulary, vulnerable to health conditions that affect their cognitive development and some even have to relocate from home to home. All these experiences directly impact a student’s learning. According to Whitaker “In Las Vegas this the case in communities like Summerlin and Henderson, where school quality is inevitably better in neighborhoods with higher average household incomes” (2016). The location of a school has a significant influence on the overall performance of the institution. The economic and social factors have a substantial impact on how a school and its students do. According to research, “school ratings are higher districtwide when the surrounding neighborhood has a higher median household income and more college-educated residents, regardless of whether parents have degrees” (Cotter, 2017). Schools in poor neighborhoods, the majority of which consist of the minority and people of color perform poorly than their counterparts in affluent areas, demonstrating the effects of poverty and racism on social inequality.
Wage discrimination is a contentious issue in the United States and specifically in Nevada. The gender wage gap is even worse for minority women, especially women of color, disabled women, women with disability, mothers, and those from communities experiencing poverty. Study shows that “Women in the Battle Born State make on average 83 cents for every dollar a man makes. Meanwhile, black women here make on average 66 cents to every dollar paid to men, and Latinas make just 54 cents on the dollar” (Gloutak et al., 2018). Although the state of Nevada has passed equal pay laws which safeguard against gender-based discrimination in the workplace, there is still a lot to be done to ensure gender equality and alleviate poverty in the society since lower wages have an impact on increased.
Finally, social inequality adversely influences democracy since the rich have a more significant influence on the political front through funding campaigns. The influence of the rich drives politicians to vote the interest of their sponsors rather than their constituents. Research shows that “higher income groups and the better educated participate more actively in democratic politics” (Armingeon & Schadel, 2014). Also, social inequality impacts voters in their electoral choices. According to Armingeon and Schadel (2014), “in their electoral choices, citizens with fewer resources in terms of education – rely more heavily on cues and social control of the social control of the social groups to which they belong.” The poor and less educated people are more easily influenced by external forces such as trade unions and political parties as compared to the wealthy and educated citizens.
Social inequality affects every aspect of the society, and Las Vegas Nevada is no different. Inequality affects wealth distribution, increases poverty, influences education performance, impacts the gender wage gap and influences how citizens vote. The rich in the society save a larger fraction of their income which significantly affects the consumer spending leading to reduced economic growth. Slower growth in the economy results in increased unemployment and decreased tax revenues, consequently affecting government programs. Inequality is associated with increased crime, worse school performance, among others. Wealth distribution, poverty, social and economic factors around schools, and wage distribution across gender significantly contribute to social inequality in the Las Vegas, Nevada.
References
Armingeon, K., & Schädel, L. (2014). Social inequality in political participation: The dark sides of individualisation. West European Politics, 38(1), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2014.929341
Brune, N. E., Levine, M. A., & Kim, J. (n.d.). A STEP UP: ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR NEVADA’S FAMILIES. Guinn Center. https://guinncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Guinn-Brookings-NV-Family-Ec-Report-2019.pdf
Cotter, B. K. (2017). Prescribing Change for Minority Students: Diagnosing Inequalities in Science Education in the Clark County School District.
Ely, D., Morales, C., & Dickens Jr, D. R. (2012). Income Distribution and Poverty in Nevada.
Gloutak, L., Lyon, T., & Patenaude, H. (2018). The Nevada State Undergraduate Research Journal-Volume 4 Issue 1.
Skolnik, S. (2014, January 24). Las Vegas Is a Symbol of Predatory Inequality. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/
Solis, J. (2019, February 1). Nevada ranks ninth nationwide in racial, economic disparity, study says. Nevada Current. https://www.nevadacurrent.com/blog/poverty-in-nevada-worse-among-households-of-color-study-finds/
Spearman, P. (2019, May 30). Gender pay gap must be addressed. Las Vegas Sun. https://lasvegassun.com/
Whitaker, I. (2016, July 7). Rise in poverty threatens to further weaken Nevada education system. Las Vegas Sun. https://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/jul/07/report-rise-in-poverty-threatens-to-further-weaken/
