Intersectionality and Inequality: Analyzing the Combined Impact of Race, Gender, and Class on Social Justice

Abstract

This study explores how race, gender, and class intersect to create unique forms of inequality using the framework of intersectionality. Focusing on Bangladesh, the United States, India, and Thailand, it examines how these identities influence individuals' access to resources and lived experiences in diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts. The research employs quantitative analysis, using data from 2019 to 2023, with a stratified sampling technique ensuring the representation of various social strata in each country. The study reveals significant intersectional challenges: in India, Dalit women face compounded discrimination that hinders their upward mobility; in Thailand, ethnic minorities like the Hmong are excluded socially due to the combined effects of ethnicity, gender, and class. In Bangladesh, rural women from lower socio-economic classes struggle against patriarchal norms and limited access to healthcare and education. The United States, meanwhile, requires affirmative action policies that better address the specific needs of African American women from low-income backgrounds. The research emphasizes that policies to reduce inequality must adopt an intersectional approach to address the compounded effects of multiple identities. This would allow for more inclusive and effective social justice initiatives, targeting marginalized groups' unique challenges. The study contributes to the literature on intersectionality, providing valuable insights for policymakers, activists, and scholars interested in promoting social justice globally.