Regarding the interplay of privilege, fairness, oppression, and social structures

A commenter here said that I never have discussions about things like privilege, fairness, oppression, and social structures. I felt a needed to slam a cork in that bung. Perplexity (occasionally lightly edited):

Q: How does the interplay of privilege, fairness, oppression, and social structures influence life outcomes?

A: The interplay of privilege, fairness, oppression, and social structures has a profound influence on life outcomes across society.

Privilege and oppression operate through interconnected systems of power that create advantages for some groups while disadvantaging others. These power imbalances are deeply rooted in historical and structural inequalities related to factors like race, gender, class, and economic status.

People with more privilege tend to have better access to quality healthcare, more educational and career opportunities, greater economic resources and stability, and more political influence and representation. By contrast, oppressed and marginalized groups often face discrimination in healthcare, education, employment, etc., limited access to resources and opportunities, higher rates of poverty and economic insecurity, and underrepresentation in positions of power.

The effects of privilege and oppression compound over time and across generations. For example, racial wealth gaps stemming from historical discrimination continue to grow wider. Educational disparities lead to income disparities which then perpetuate educational disparities for the next generation.

Beyond individual interactions, privilege and oppression are reinforced through institutional policies, cultural norms, and societal structures. Even well-intentioned individuals operate within these larger systems that perpetuate unfairness. [the power of social structures to control lives is why today I re-posted my review of the 1963 book Invitation to Sociology]

While privilege can't be eliminated entirely, we can work to create more equitable systems that expand access to opportunities and resources for all. This involves ongoing efforts to dismantle oppressive structures and cultivate a more just society.

Another Perplexity commentary:

Q:  How do social structures shape perceptions of reality and behaviors?

A: Social structures play a significant role in shaping how individuals perceive reality and behave within society. This process occurs through several interconnected mechanisms.

Social Construction of Reality

Social constructionism posits that our understanding of reality is created through social interactions and shared meanings. Rather than being objective or fixed, our perception of the world is heavily influenced by the cultural context and social structures we inhabit

Self-fulfilling prophesies

Social structures can create self-fulfilling prophecies through the Thomas theorem, which states that if people define situations as real, they become real in their consequences. This can lead to the reinforcement of existing social categories and hierarchies.

Looking-Glass Self
Individuals shape their behavior and self-esteem based on how they believe others perceive them, using social interactions as a mirror to measure their own worth and values. By understanding how social structures shape our perceptions and behaviors, we can better recognize the constructed nature of many social categories and potentially work towards more equitable and inclusive societies. However, it's important to note that while socially constructed, these structures and their effects are very real and have significant impacts on individuals' lives and opportunities.

For more context, consider (1) how powerful an influencer a "little thing" like incivility usually is with most people (discussed in this blog post), (2) the low upward social mobility in American society compared to European societies, (3) deeply entrenched wealth inequality in America, (4) the precarious, insecure nature of many or most jobs for many or most Americans, e.g., the fall of labor unions and the rise of contract workers without benefits, and (5) shrinkage of the middle class.

Q: Is talk about privilege, fairness, oppression, and social structure just bleeding heart liberal gobbeldygook that distracts from the fact that if a person works and studies hard, they will nearly always get ahead and rise to or above, or stay in, the middle class?