Social Problems such as Poverty, Low Wages, and Healthcare

In Response to Woolf & Hulsizer
Name Course Instructor Date
Do you think social problems (e.g., poverty, low wages, healthcare access, etc.) contribute to the development/maintenance of hate groups? If so, how?
Hate groups normalize hate as socially acceptable, mainly when focusing on group identity that differentiates groups. Social problems such as poverty, low wages, and healthcare access widen inequalities, and those of a lower class may be resentful, while the primarily dominant support the status quo. This is especially when stigmatizing beliefs or prejudices against a group of people where discrimination against them and justification for violence targets these groups. Leaders of hate groups empower the groups and group members, leveraging polarization and enmity targeted at outsiders to justify their actions (Woolf & Hulsizer, 2004). The leaders target certain groups more if there are incompatible goals or values. Sometimes social problems can contribute to the development or maintenance of hate groups if one group position is associated with favoritism or discriminated against out-group members.
Linking social problems with identity and grievances can maintain hate groups, with the target being out-group members and even government officials. However, hate groups often focus on identity issues highlighting superiority over other groups. Typically, people who join hate groups seek a sense of belonging, recognition, status, and power associated with these organizations (Woolf & Hulsizer, 2004). An offender's bias against other people with a different identity is more prevalent in hate groups, and vulnerable people living in poverty are also at risk of being recruited. This is especially when there are misinformed and told that their situations result from other people's actions and decisions. The issues of immigration and employment are increasingly polarizing in the US when immigr...