I believe that economic level is a better predictor of someone’s behavior than race. We have lots of racial stereotypes but I do not believe they hold up. I do see very clear lines when you break people down by income level. Education does play a role but typically better educated people have higher incomes. Any stereotype based on race or economics is not going to be very accurate but of the two I think economics is the better predictor of the two.
2006-12-14 07:46:26 · 11 answers · asked by Brian 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Gyasi M
Ok, I will not quibble with you over the terminology. I understand that there is only one race but in our society we use the word race interchangeable with ethnic background/ Culture
But your point is well taken.
2006-12-14 08:03:19 · update #1
Considering the fact that there is only ONE race, then economics would have the stronger influence. You could replace your word Race with ethnic background/ Culture. However, economics will still be the winner.
2006-12-14 07:56:07 · answer #1 · answered by Gyasi M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Upbringing and surroundings is influential first. I don't think race and/or economics plays as much part in influencing a person as what they are surrounded with.
People can be and will be chameleons. You can have a person with an abundant amount of money and if surrounded by idiots they will possibly act like idiots. On the same idea you can have a person with not a dime to their name - but if they are in the midst of decent well educated individuals they too will try to conform to fit into the mold.
I don't think race is all that much of a factor because again - if a person stays around only their race...they will act like those whose company they keep. But if they travel outside of the norm and have friends from another race you will find them acting like those friends.
2006-12-14 16:10:07 · answer #2 · answered by The First Lady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Economics influences the way a person behaves more than race. People from the same socio-economic background tend to have things in common with people like them. Just because you have two people of the same race, but entirely different socio-economic background they do not always mesh well together. At times these two may be as if they speak two different languages.
2006-12-14 16:04:45 · answer #3 · answered by Gee-Gee 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What a great question! I think if people were honest, they'd find much in common with all races depending on economic factors. There are illegitimate babies, alcoholics, illiterate adults, drug addicts, criminals, racists, sexists, etc. in the trailer park as well as in the ghetto.
By the way, Pookie, West Virginia has 50,000 LESS people living there now than in 1960. There is not much crime there, and nothing else, as well. I would hardly think a state with less than 1,900,000 people in it would be a hotbed of crime, anymore than any small town, predominantly White, Black, or Otherwise. Also, only 17% are beneath the poverty level there.
2006-12-14 15:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by irie.girl_2006 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I too believe economics has a lot to do with it. people with higher incomes can afford to have a better education and typically surrounds themselves with higher class people therefore they become copy cats. people with no money can only see the poor lifestyle and it brings unfortunate things to them and they can't see brighter things because all they do is do as they have seen.
2006-12-14 16:18:03 · answer #5 · answered by DoubleD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think what really plays a role in the way some behaves is how they where raise.
it's the values that where thought to them as childern that will have the bigger out come on who they will be when they grow up.
how one was raised is a much bigger factor then race or income.
2006-12-14 15:55:30 · answer #6 · answered by goldenbrowngod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why cant it just be that the way they were raised will influence their economic level??? How would race influence behavior???
2006-12-14 15:55:07 · answer #7 · answered by Ms. Q 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Economics.
Look at how blacks live in Detroit ghettos adn then look at how whites act in New Castle (England) slums...pretty much the same. A lot of kids out of wed lock. welfare generations, lots of drinking, drugging.
AND they are all under-educated and admire criminality for the most part.
2006-12-14 15:55:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe you are mistaken. Take a look at West Virginia: an entire state of impoverished appalacian white people yet the crime rate isn't near that of any majority black area.
When talking about individuals as opposed to groups, I believe you are right: a black person making 75k/yr I would imagine is less likely to be a violent criminal than a whitep erson making 15k/yr. But on the group level I think genetics and race matter and they are significant predictors of criminality.
2006-12-14 15:57:17 · answer #9 · answered by Pookie Jenkins 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Economic level!...absolutely!
2006-12-14 15:55:22 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋