The Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Social Inequalities: The Case of Eskişehir

Abstract

This study aims to relate how the Covid-19 pandemic affects social life, what kind of inequalities it creates, and how it affects existing social inequalities with the social class structure. In this context, the differentiation of the results of the pandemic according to class position has been problematized in the study, based on the daily life practices of individuals. In the literature review, it is seen that the social dimension of the Covid-19 pandemic is generally neglected. From this point of view, in this article, the social dimension of the pandemic has been discussed within the scope of class perspective. In this study, a total of 30 participants from different socioeconomic classes were interviewed using the semi-structured in-depth interview technique. In the interviews, it is understood that the main reason for the different experiences of individuals during the Covid-19 epidemic process is class differentiation. In the interviews conducted for this study, it was observed that individuals in the lower socioeconomic class experienced more income and job losses than other individuals, and therefore they faced more social risks. Considering the participants' experience of alternative working forms which was implemented in this period, it is one of the important findings that the participants in the lower socioeconomic class are the class with the least experience of alternative working styles, and accordingly, these individuals feel more insecure during the pandemic period. In the study, it is evaluated that the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the social inequalities that already exist in the society.