Ethnic Disparity in Family Socioeconomic Status in Bangladesh: Implication for Family Welfare Policy Practice

Abstract

Ethnic disparity in family socioeconomic status (FSES) is the social issue across the world societies, including Bangladesh. Based on systematic cross-cultural literature, this paper compares and explains disparity in FSES between the majority (Muslim) and minority ethnic groups (e.g., Hindu, Santal, and Oraon) in Bangladesh. Data in systematic literature reveal that FSES of majority is twofold higher than the minority ethnic groups in Bangladesh. Using social science theories, this paper argues that disadvantaged psychological, social, and political status, including discrimination, and unequal distribution of resources perpetuate disparity in FSES between the majority and minority ethnic groups in Bangladesh. The paper also describes ethnic-sensitive social welfare policy programs on which administrator, educationist, social activist, and social workers may play important roles to reduce, eliminate, and change disparity in FSES between the majority and minority ethnic groups in Bangladesh.