Understanding Ethnic Disparities in Family Status Attainment

Abstract

Ethnic disparity in family status attainment (FSA) is the social issue across the world societies, including Bangladesh. Based on systematic cross-cultural literature 1980-2010, this chapter compares and explains ethnic disparity in FSA between majority (Muslim) and minority groups (Hindu, Santal, and Oraon) in Bangladesh. Evidence in systematic literature reveals that FSA is two-fold higher in the majority group than in the minority ethnic communities in Bangladesh. Using social science theories, this chapter argues that disadvantaged psychological, social, and political status, as well as discrimination and unequal distribution of resources perpetuate disparity in FSA between the majority and minority ethnic groups. The chapter also describes comparative social welfare policy-programs on which administrators, educationists, social activists, and social workers may play important roles to reduce, eliminate, and change disparity in FSA between the ethnic groups in Bangladesh.