Inequality Of Opportunity Research Articles

Inequality in different countries: dynamics of states and perception by the population over 20 years

The article highlights the relationship between the country’s well-being and their people’s perception of inequality in 1999, 2009 and 2019. The country’s well-being was measured using four indicators: GDP per capita, life expectancy, the average number of years of schooling and the Gini index (data taken from the United Nations, the World Bank and the Global Data Laboratory reports). The perception of inequality was measured using six indicators: the importance of coming from a wealthy family and knowing the right people to get ahead, differences in income perception, feeling of conflicts in society, approval of inequality in opportunities, as well as subjective social stratification (based on the III-V waves of the modules Social Inequality of The International Social Survey Programme, ISSP). The groups of the countries based on their well-being and the people’s perception of inequality were determined using multidimensional scaling. With its means, for each of the taken years (1999, 2009 and 2019) two-dimensional spaces in which the countries were located were constructed. A positive correlation between a country’s GDP level and life expectancy was reproduced in all observed periods. In contrast, depth of stratification was not significantly associated with any of the remaining indicators of welfare. Subjective stratification, as well as people’s ideas about how to get ahead, were determined by GDP per capita, but not by objective stratification. This one correlated with feelings of conflict and approval of unequal opportunities. Dimensions in decisions — both for the country’s well-being and for perception— were reproduced at all measurement points. At the same time, the composition of homogeneous groups of countries varied from one time interval to another. The most stable were the groupings of Scandinavian and island countries, whose levels of well-being and perceptions of inequality by the population were similar.

DIGITAL INEQUALITY AND DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDONESIA

In the era of disruption, myriads of digital entrepreneur in Indonesia still faces significant problems due to the demographical disadvantage and the lack of government policies that can overcome the problem faced. This series of problems has resulted to the existence of digital inequality. This study aimed to explains the digital inequality in Indonesia that has an impact on the inequality of opportunities and challenges for digital entrepreneurs. Qualitative approach to case studies in Indonesia. Informants were taken from 3 regions in Indonesia as well as government representatives responsible for the development of information and communication technology. Data was collected through in-depth interviews online and data was processed with the help of NVivo12. The study was conducted for 6 months. The results of this research will certainly have implications for the development of technology research, digitalization and communication as well as business. If the problem of digital inequality is resolved, digital business development in Indonesia will be more competitive. However, the biggest implication can certainly be a recommendation for information and communication technology development policies in Indonesia, such as the policy of building base transceiver station (BTS) in areas where there is no internet connectivity.

LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS ON INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT PROCESSES

The area of lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important both collectively and individually and is a key success factor for personal and social development. Awareness of lifelong learning also strengthens the possibility of increasing personal income and at the same time enabling a better quality of life. All of this leads to an improvement not only on an individual level, but also for society as a whole. Although lack of equitable educational opportunities to individuals may result into social inequalities, which require targeted measures to deal with these issues. The main objective of this research is to explain the relationship between lifelong learning and social inclusion. By assessing educational access and opportunities, the study aims to examine the impacts of lifelong learning on individual empowerment processes, and thereby address social inequalities in educational opportunities. This research adopts a comprehensive study design, in which a detailed literature review analysis with case studies will be considered. Several academic books, peer-reviewed journals, and other formal publications will be used for literature review, while official reports may be used to derive case studies. The thematic coding and content analysis will be used to analyse key trends, insights, and challenges identified through gathered qualitative data. As a whole, lifelong learning can become a tool to promote social inclusion by offering equitable educational opportunities to all population groups. Barriers to educational opportunities, such as ineffective division of lifelong learning and traditional education, financial constraints, geographical barriers, and more focus on certain category of workers, must be addressed.

Demand-driven Urban Facility Visit Prediction

Predicting citizens’ visiting behaviors to urban facilities is instrumental for city governors and planners to detect inequalities in urban opportunities and optimize the distribution of facilities and resources. Previous works predict facility visits simply using observed visit behavior, yet citizens’ intrinsic demands for facilities are not characterized explicitly, causing potential incorrect learned relations in the prediction results. In this article, to make up for this deficiency, we present a demand-driven urban facility visit prediction method that decomposes citizens’ visits to facilities into their unobservable demands and their capability to fulfill them. Demands are expressed as the function of regional demographic attributes by a neural network, and the fulfillment capability is determined by the urban region’s spatial accessibility to facilities. Extensive evaluations of datasets of three large cities confirm the efficiency and rationality of our model. Our method outperforms the best state-of-the-art model by 8.28% on average in facility visit prediction tasks. Further analyses demonstrate the reasonableness of recovered facility demands and their relationship with citizen demographics. For instance, senior citizens tend to have higher medical demands but lower shopping demands. Meanwhile, estimated capabilities and accessibilities provide deeper insights into the decaying accessibility with respect to spatial distance and facilities’ diverse functions in the urban environment. Our findings shed light on demand-driven urban data mining and demand-based urban facility planning.

Economic degrowth as a solution to environmental conflicts?

Since the mid-20th century, economic growth has played a crucial role in improving the living conditions of millions of people, raising standards of well-being, and expectations regarding the availability of goods and services. However, the positive transformations have been accompanied by an alarming increase in the exploitation of the planet's resources and the growing income and opportunity inequality, both globally and locally. This article provides preliminary a comparative analysis of natural resource usage across eight regions, based on data from the Global Footprint Network for the year 2018. The results highlight the concerning pattern of the current consumption model: economically developed regions tend to exert disproportionate pressure on degradation, while less affluent regions demonstrate greater environmental regeneration capacity. The need to reconsider economic models with the aim of achieving a balance between socio-economic well-being and natural well-being is emphasized.

The Role of Physical Activity on Women’s Health

Background: It has been shown that regular participation in sports has very important health contributions to women's health. This study provides an in-depth review of several research studies investigating the positive effects of regular exercise habits on various aspects of women's health. Materials and Methods: In the search for scientific literature for this study, data from the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Sport Discus were used, and the terms “gynecological disorders” “psychological health”, “women’s health”, “exercise”, “mental health”, and were used. The relevant literature has also taken its source from the research of relevant articles from reference lists derived from data searches. Results: As a result of an in-depth review of various research studies investigating its positive effects on various aspects of women's health, it has been shown that regular exercise habits can have positive effects on women's health, such as self-esteem, body image, gender-based discrimination, inequality of opportunities, cardiovascular health and mental health outcomes Conclusion: The main aim should be to demonstrate the positive health effects of exercise on the prevention and treatment of obesity, self-esteem, body image, reproductive health, cardiovascular health and mental health in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between sport and women's health.

Does the pattern of ICT possession exacerbate inequality in educational opportunities between students with and without disabilities? Evidence from Egypt

PurposeThis study aims to analyze to what extent distance education is feasible and efficient with the limited technological infrastructure in Egypt. The study answers this question from the perspective of households' preparedness level regarding possessing information and communication technologies (ICTs). In addition, it assesses whether the pattern of students' ICT ownership is influenced by disability- and socioeconomic-based inequality in education and whether the pattern of ICT ownership exacerbates such biases.Design/methodology/approachA three-stage probit model with double sample selection (PMDSS) was applied to estimate the factors likely to influence ICT possession, considering the selection process for school enrollment and education continuation. The authors utilized nationally representative data from the Egypt Labor Market Panel Survey 2018.FindingsAbout 40% of students aged 12–25 did not have ICTs. Most socioeconomically poor households, particularly those living in Upper Egypt, were the least likely to obtain ICTs and rely on distance education. In addition, female students, particularly those with disabilities, had the lowest chance of benefitting from distance learning.Research limitations/implicationsThe persistent structural deprivation of school enrollment and educational progression has led to the positive selection of well-off children in education, which is extended to ICT possession and internet use. Without addressing these structural biases, the study suggests that distance education will likely exacerbate educational inequalities.Originality/valueThe study analyzed the extent to which Egyptian families were prepared in 2018 regarding ICT possessions for distance education for their children, particularly those with disabilities. Furthermore, it investigated whether access to distance learning was influenced by disability- and socioeconomic-based inequalities in education.

Urbanization, self-harm, and suicidal ideation in left-behind children and adolescents in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Economic development and urbanisation have prompted many Chinese parents to move from rural to urban regions for better job opportunities. Their children, who remain behind in rural regions, become left-behind children (LBC). With absent parents, children and adolescents are unable to maintain the secure attachment required for healthy social and emotional development, increasing the risk of mental illness. This study aimed to compare risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation in LBC and non-LBC in China. Greater risks for poor mental health outcomes including worse depression, loneliness and anxiety have been identified in LBC in cross-sectional studies. Previous studies have also identified higher prevalence of bullying victimization, poorer school performance and worse school attendance amongst LBC. Findings indicate that prolonged separation from parents put LBC at greater risks of poor mental health. Policy changes to allow children to migrate with their parents and policies to reduce inequalities in job opportunities between urban and rural regions are needed.

Some Solutions to Reduce Educational Inequality between Urban and Rural In Vietnam

Education is given special attention by the Vietnamese government. People from all socio-economic classes are given opportunities to participate in learning. However, due to differences in natural, economic and social conditions, educational inequality between urban and rural areas still exists. This research is based on the Household Living Standards Survey Report, Statistical Yearbook, Labor and Employment Survey Report, Population Change and Family Planning Survey Report, and other official reports of General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Analysis results show that there is still inequality in opportunities to access and complete education, in spending on education and getting high-income jobs post education between urban and rural areas. Based on these analysis results, this article proposes some solutions to reduce educational inequality between urban and rural regions in Vietnam.

Socioeconomic inequalities in opportunities and participation in in-person learning during the Covid-19 pandemic

Combining a longitudinal national survey of the Chilean school system and administrative datasets, we studied the supply and demand factors associated with the slow in-person return to school in Chile during the Covid-19 pandemic and their effects on socioeconomic disparities. In-person learning in 2021 was limited mainly by supply factors (i.e., sanitary, administrative, and infrastructure restrictions). However, once the supply restrictions decreased, many low-income students and their families did not resume in-person instruction, leading to vast inequalities by schools’ socioeconomic characteristics. These inequalities in in-person instruction will expand existing disparities in students’ learning and educational opportunities.

An evolution of inequality of opportunity in the nutritional outcomes of under-five children in Malawi

BackgroundMalnutrition among children is a significant public health and development issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries, Malawi inclusive, which contributes to preventable diseases and deaths. Significant socioeconomic disparities persist, which affect access to and equal distribution of basic nutrition. This study analyzed the extent and trends of Inequality of Opportunity (IOP) in the nutritional outcomes of children aged 0–59 months. MethodsThe study used nationally representative data from the 2006, 2013–14, and 2019-20 Malawi Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. In terms of method, we examined IOP in stunting, wasting, and underweight indicators, using the Human Opportunity Index and the Dissimilarity Index in 55,723 children. The Shapley-value technique decomposed the relative IOP. ResultsWe find the largest share of circumstance-driven inequality in stunting (8.96 percent), followed by underweight (1.91 percent), and then wasting (0.90 percent). The Shapley-value decomposition results indicate the child's age (29.15 percent for stunting, 12.42 percent for underweight, and 52.36 percent for wasting) and gender (8.28 percent, 18.36 percent and 8.87 percent), wealth (6.36 percent, 22.87 percent and 8.54 percent), and mother's education (6.28 percent, 11.29 percent and 5.51 percent) as the dominant contributors to IOP for all three nutritional outcome indicators; stunting, underweight and wasting, respectively. ConclusionThe findings suggest that policies aimed at narrowing the wealth and education inequality gap could help equalize nutrition opportunities for children in Malawi.

Analysing inequalities in access and household investment in market-based supplemental educational services in India: A case of post-compulsory school education in Haryana

ABSTRACT The paper, based on a primary survey, explores the inequalities in access and household investment on the market-based ‘supplemental educational services’ (SESs) in post-compulsory school education (i.e. secondary level of education) in Haryana, a northern state in India. We find that around 44% of students access SESs in secondary education in Haryana, and it varies considerably across socioeconomic groups such as class, caste and gender. Results from the two-step Heckman selection model suggest that access to and household investment in SESs is significantly determined by household factors and school characteristics. We also find that SESs in Haryana are not homogenous, vary widely in content delivery and private costs. Nearly 56% of the students (mainly from socio-economically underprivileged groups) attend the low-cost and low-quality private tuition centres, while their better-off counterparts attend the more organised medium- and high-cost tuition services, and this widens the already existing inequality in educational opportunities in the state. The study suggests to stringently regulate the flourishing commercial SESs market to minimise growing educational inequality in the state.

Inequality of Opportunity and Income Redistribution

Inequality of Opportunity and Income Redistribution

Measuring Persistent Effects of Circumstances and Inequality of Opportunity Using Panel Data

Measuring Persistent Effects of Circumstances and Inequality of Opportunity Using Panel Data

Inequality of Opportunity and Intergenerational Persistence in Latin America

Inequality of Opportunity and Intergenerational Persistence in Latin America

Applying Machine Learning Approach to Explore Childhood Circumstances and Self-Rated Health in Old Age - China and the US, 2020-2021.

Childhood circumstances impact senior health, prompting the introduction of machine learning methods to assess their individual and collective contributions to senior health. Using health and retirement study (HRS) and China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we analyzed 2,434 American and 5,612 Chinese participants aged 60 and above. Conditional inference trees and forests were employed to estimate the influence of childhood circumstances on self-rated health (SRH). The conventional method estimated higher inequality of opportunity (IOP) values in both China (0.039, accounting for 22.67% of the total Gini coefficient 0.172) and the US (0.067, accounting for 35.08% of the total Gini coefficient 0.191). In contrast, the conditional inference tree yielded lower estimates (China: 0.022, accounting for 12.79% of 0.172; US: 0.044, accounting for 23.04% of 0.191), as did the forest (China: 0.035, accounting for 20.35% of 0.172; US: 0.054, accounting for 28.27% of 0.191). Childhood health, financial status, and regional differences were key determinants of senior health. The conditional inference forest consistently outperformed others in predictive accuracy, as demonstrated by lower out-of-sample mean squared error (MSE). The findings emphasize the need for early-life interventions to promote health equity in aging populations. Machine learning showcases the potential in identifying contributing factors.

Decomposing Heterogeneity in Inequality of Educational Opportunities: Family Income and Academic Performance in Brazilian Higher Education

Decomposing Heterogeneity in Inequality of Educational Opportunities: Family Income and Academic Performance in Brazilian Higher Education

The Problems and Countermeasures of China’s College Entrance Examination System: An Overview Study

This study explores three major problems within China’s college entrance examination system: Regional differences, family background diversification, and gender inequality. In terms of regional differences, the inequality between different regions leads to the inequality of college entrance examination opportunities, and the study suggests that the government should allocate resources, set up incentive mechanisms, and provide online education resources to solve this problem. Differences in family background have an important impact on students’ performance and preparation for college entrance examinations, so it is recommended that educational subsidies be provided, social support systems built, and free family education carried out. The issue of gender inequality requires more in-depth research and improvement, including the implementation of gender equality policies, gender education campaigns, and the establishment of gender gap monitoring systems. The study also suggests ways to reduce academic pressure and improve innovation, including diversifying curricula, promoting diverse ideas, strengthening communication between schools and families, introducing comprehensive quality tests, and expanding vocational education. These solutions are aimed at improving China’s Gaokao system to make it fairer and more comprehensive, providing students with better educational opportunities and possibilities for future development. The theoretical significance of the study is to enrich the theoretical system of the college entrance examination system reform and provide valuable references for policy formulation, to make the system more in line with China’s educational needs and social development requirements. Considering the resourcefulness of this topic and the limitations of fieldwork, this paper chose the literature research method as the research method.

Investigating the workforce capacity and needs for animal disease surveillance and outbreak investigation: a mixed-methods study of veterinary services in Vietnam.

The need for strengthening national capacities for disease prevention, preparedness, and response is increasingly becoming urgent. Central to this is strengthening existing systems and workforce capacity for disease surveillance and disease outbreak response. This study aimed to evaluate the national capacity and needs of veterinary services in Vietnam in animal disease surveillance and outbreak investigation skills. A cross-sectional, convergent, mixed-methods study was conducted between November 2020 and April 2021. An online questionnaire was administered to government field veterinarians, followed by descriptive and multivariable analyses to understand field capacity, specifically levels of experience in outbreak investigation and animal health surveillance. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholders in veterinary services and interview transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed. Qualitative results were used to contextualize quantitative findings from the survey. Overall, 178 field veterinary staff completed the online survey, and 25 stakeholders were interviewed. Eighty percent of respondents reported a high priority for further training in both animal disease surveillance and outbreak investigation. Training and competence were more limited at the district and commune levels, highlighting a gap in capacity at the subnational level. Reasons included a lack of in-depth training opportunities, limited access to resources and high staff turnover. Respondents who completed postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology or Field Epidemiology Training Programs were more likely to have higher levels of experience in animal health surveillance and outbreak investigation. This study identified gaps in knowledge and adoption of practices most often related to local-level or less experienced veterinary staff with limited training opportunities in epidemiology. Findings inform the prioritization of training and planning activities to further enhance the national capacity of veterinary services in Vietnam. Underlying explanations for existing gaps in capacity include inequities in skill development and training opportunities across levels of veterinary staff, gaps in the chain of command and unequal funding across provinces.

Childhood Circumstances and Health of American and Chinese Older Adults: A Machine Learning Evaluation of Inequality of Opportunity in Health

Childhood Circumstances and Health of American and Chinese Older Adults: A Machine Learning Evaluation of Inequality of Opportunity in Health