SOCIAL INEQUALITY     3 
 
The impacts of social inequality are undoubtedly far-reaching and can lead to significant 
social setbacks. Among many proven outcomes, unfairness causes a considerable gap between 
the rich and the poor. Consequently, it becomes somewhat challenging to promote cohesion 
which is vital for development since people cannot associate with ease (Hurst, Gibbon, & Nurse, 
2016). Similarly, social inequality is a leading cause of strain. It makes people suffer 
unnecessarily due to suppressive laws that the powerful create to establish and maintain control 
(Crossman, 2018). Accordingly, it promotes crime due to perpetual conflict between the wealthy 
and the poor. 
In a way to make the issue clearer, some theorists have endeavored to analyze the 
connection between social inequality and its alignment in the society. The functionalist 
perspective hypothesizes that it is impossible to prevent unequal status despite the effort that 
people may put through social and legal means. The inference, here, is that social inequality is 
desirable and necessary for the society since the evident meritocracy is an outcome of ability 
(Sernau, 2013). The other theory is social conflict; here, inequality emanates from the ones in 
control trying to dominate the less powerful (Hurst, Gibbon, & Nurse, 2016). In such a case, it 
will always be present since people must protect what they possess as well as try to acquire more 
valuables. 
In summation, it is apparent that social inequality stems from deliberately created social 
structures that seek to establish and preserve control. The only unfortunate thing about it is the 
fact that it leads to social strain and perpetual conflict as people try to reach a balance. Even if 
the condition is beneficial since it makes people work hard, it is essential for the society to 
protect the populace from continued overexploitation by promoting equality by all possible 
means.