How social science researchers address inequalities

For those specialising in social sciences, from sociology to political science, to cultural studies, inequality is nothing new to us. In fact, addressing inequalities and conducting inequalities research are core tasks of our daily professional work. In inequalities research, studying the “totality” of an issue is a sexy term. This basically means we have to look at the holistic package of factors driving the perpetuation of inequalities or a societal issue. Within such an understanding, we cannot overlook the concepts of multidimensionality and intersectionality.

1. Multidimensionality of inequalities

In simple terms, studying the multidimensionality of inequalities means we have to explore multifaceted perspectives to address or justify inequalities or related societal issues. For example, for gender inequalities, we can explain their perpetuation historically, culturally, institutionally, and socio-economically. Historically, especially in patriarchal societies, women were subject to inferiority and, at times, were commodified. Culturally, in my research, I have long been addressing how media culture sexualises and commodifies females, which influences gender-based violence. Institutionally, especially in certain regions of the world, sons can inherit far more assets than daughters. Socio-economically, many females from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds have no alternative choices but to work in the sex industry, compounding the risk of facing gender-based violence.

The idea of multidimensionality means when we examine a societal issue (or political, cultural, economic and historical issue), we should always study a basket of factors that cause and perpetuate such an issue per se. While some research papers focus on single-dimensional analyses, the authors often acknowledge that other dimensions (meaning the factors) should not be overlooked when understanding how an issue occurs. Without investigating the multidimensionality of an issue, we cannot see the whole picture of inequalities or social science research.

2. Intersectionality of inequalities

Upon addressing the multidimensionality of research, we subsequently need to explore the intersectionality involved. This means how multi-faceted factors of inequalities or an issue are interrelated. Back to our example on gender inequalities: the historical causes of gender-based violence and injustice are likely to persist, making gender inequalities and injustice a contemporary issue. Also, when media influences the sexualisation and commodification of females, the institutional construction of gender inequalities are likely to be compounded, and socio-economically disadvantaged females are likely to be culturally influenced to enter the sex industry and be exploited sexually.

Without addressing the gender-biased institutional system, more women and girls are likely to be physically, culturally, verbally and sexually abused or exploited. Also, the more marginalised and vulnerable females are disproportionately put in a socio-economically disadvantaged position, the more likely they will continue to be culturally, institutionally and otherwise victimised due to their status of inferiority.

This means different causal factors are often interrelated to some degree. The more likely one factor occurs, the more likely other factors emerge. In such a logic, the concepts of multidimensionality and intersectionality in inequalities research, or social science research in general, always go hand in hand.

Conclusions

While researchers are aware of the multidimensional and intersectional nature of inequalities and societal issues, this does not necessarily mean all social science researchers address the totality/holistic package of multi-faceted factors of inequalities and/or issues. Some researchers, despite their awareness, may intentionally decide to specialise in and address a single-dimensional aspect of any subject matter. For example, I have known established professors spending their entire professional careers selectively and restrictively looking at occupational factors and issues of the labour market. This does not mean non-occupational factors do not affect labour market dynamics at all.

Therefore, if we are reading research papers, reports or books looking at a single dimension of an issue, this only means the author wants to narrow down their niche in their publication. With that being said, we should never overlook the multidimensionality and intersectionality, and therefore, totality, of any issue.

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