Based on what we have learned all semester, describe structural violence and offer examples from lectures, discussions, the Holmes book and the documentary, “The Undocumented”.  Conclude your response with a discussion of how structural violence helps us to understand health and inequality.

QUESTION

Welcome to your final exam!  Please read the instructions carefully and submit by the due date.  I can’t accept late finals as I have set the due date at the very last moment of the semester.  My grades are due very quickly after finals week so I ask that you submit on time and double check to be sure that that you are submitting the correct document.  I cannot accept exams via e-mail.

Submissions should be double-spaced, with a 12-point font and 1 inch margins.  I also expect that your papers be grammatically and punctually correct.  Do your best to proofread and spell check!  If you have trouble in this area, please visit the writing center in the library for assistance BEFORE submission.  Even better, you should read your exam out loud to yourself before submitting.  Be yourself when you write (throw away the thesaurus, ha ha).  You do not need to include a reference page and your responses should reflect what you have learned in the course, rather than from outside sources.  I also caution against over using quotes from the material.  A little bit is okay, but I prefer your own words.

Please number your responses!

This is an essay style, open book exam.  Each of your responses should include the following to earn full credit: • Sociological thoughts and connections – your answers should be grounded in structural, sociological ideas and principles. • Examples from lectures, course material and discussions – as you write, do your best to make your point by using examples from our coursework. • Well crafted and easy to read responses – your replies to the questions should be carefully proof read and should have proper sentence structure, grammar and spelling.

The best responses are those that link to sociological concepts and ideologies to understand particular social problems and examples.  You can’t cover everything that we have learned in each question so be sure to tap into the main sociological arguments and provide a few examples to demonstrate your understanding of the question.

Part 1:  One question (6 points, 2-4 pages):

1. Based on what we have learned all semester, describe structural violence and offer examples from lectures, discussions, the Holmes book and the documentary, “The Undocumented”.  Conclude your response with a discussion of how structural violence helps us to understand health and inequality.

Part 2:  Please answer the following three questions in approximately 1-2 pages for each question (each question is worth 4 points):

2. Discuss breast cancer and the pink movement using a gender/feminist analysis. In your response, include links to political and economic contexts that shape our ideas and experiences connected to breast cancer.  You should link to the material in our two gender modules, as well as the Pink Ribbons Inc. film from our discussion.
3. We have explored many of the ways that “race matters” when it comes to health and well-being. Linking to lecture and material from Modules 7 and 8 discuss how structural racism shapes the health experiences of communities of color.

ANSWER

Structural Violence and Health Inequality: Sociological Perspectives

Introduction

Structural violence is a sociological concept that highlights the systemic ways in which social structures and institutions perpetuate harm and inequality through the unequal distribution of power, resources, and opportunities. Throughout the semester, we have explored various examples of structural violence, drawing upon lectures, discussions, readings from the Holmes book, and the documentary “The Undocumented.” In this essay, we will discuss the concept of structural violence, provide examples from the course materials, and examine how it helps us understand health disparities and inequality.

Definition and Understanding of Structural Violence

Structural violence encompasses the indirect harm inflicted on individuals and communities through social structures and institutions (Neff et al., 2020). It operates through unequal power dynamics, social norms, and economic systems, leading to the marginalization and exclusion of certain groups (Montgomery, 2018). Sociologically, structural violence reflects the ways in which societies maintain and perpetuate social inequalities.

Examples of Structural Violence from Course Materials

2.1 The Undocumented: The documentary “The Undocumented” sheds light on the structural violence faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States. These individuals often live in fear and encounter multiple barriers to accessing basic needs, healthcare, education, and legal protections. Their undocumented status places them in a vulnerable position within the social structure, resulting in their marginalization and exclusion. Policies that criminalize their presence and restrict their rights perpetuate this structural violence.

2.2 Racial and Economic Segregation: The Holmes book explores structural violence through the lens of racial and economic segregation in urban areas. Marginalized communities, particularly people of color, face unequal access to essential resources and opportunities such as quality education, healthcare, and employment. This disparity in access reinforces existing inequalities and perpetuates the cycle of structural violence.

Understanding Health and Inequality through Structural Violence

Structural violence plays a crucial role in understanding health disparities and inequality. The unequal distribution of power and resources perpetuated by structural violence creates conditions that affect individuals’ health and well-being. Here are some key connections:

3.1 Access to Healthcare: Structural violence can limit individuals’ access to healthcare, as seen in the case of undocumented immigrants who face legal barriers and fear seeking medical assistance. Additionally, marginalized communities affected by racial and economic segregation may have limited access to quality healthcare facilities, leading to poorer health outcomes.

3.2 Socioeconomic Determinants of Health: Structural violence often results in unequal distribution of socioeconomic resources, such as income and education (Hill-Briggs et al., 2020). These factors significantly influence health outcomes, as individuals with limited economic means may face barriers to accessing nutritious food, safe housing, and preventive healthcare services.

3.3 Environmental Injustice: Communities of color, due to structural racism and segregation, often bear the brunt of environmental hazards such as pollution and lack of green spaces. These environmental inequalities contribute to health disparities, with higher rates of respiratory illnesses, chronic diseases, and lower life expectancies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, structural violence encompasses the systemic ways in which social structures and institutions perpetuate harm and inequality. Drawing upon examples from the course materials, such as the experiences of undocumented immigrants and the impact of racial and economic segregation, we have explored the manifestations of structural violence. By understanding structural violence, we gain insights into the mechanisms that perpetuate health disparities and inequality. Acknowledging these connections is vital in addressing societal issues and striving for a more equitable and just society.

References

Hill-Briggs, F., Adler, N. E., Berkowitz, S. A., Chin, M. H., Gary-Webb, T. L., Navas-Acien, A., Thornton, P., & Haire-Joshu, D. (2020). Social Determinants of Health and Diabetes: A Scientific Review. Diabetes Care, 44(1), 258–279. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci20-0053 

Montgomery, B. E. E. (2018). Human Rights: The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Is Due. American Journal of Public Health, 108(11), 1490–1492. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2018.304717 

Neff, J., Holmes, S. M., Knight, K. R., Strong, S., Thompson-Lastad, A., McGuinness, C., Duncan, L., Saxena, N., Harvey, M., Langford, A., Carey-Simms, K. L., Minahan, S. N., Satterwhite, S., Ruppel, C., Lee, S., Walkover, L., De Avila, J., Lewis, B. B., Matthews, J., & Nelson, N. M. (2020). Structural Competency: Curriculum for Medical Students, Residents, and Interprofessional Teams on the Structural Factors That Produce Health Disparities. MedEdPORTAL. https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10888