Running head: DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUP ANALYSIS

Dominant and Subordinate Group Analysis Reflection Paper

Natoya Scott
Georgia State University

DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUP ANALYSIS

Abstract
Students were encouraged to focus on different social identity groups. These different social
identity groups are the dominant group and the subordinate group. The subordinate group is the
group that is being oppressed by the other group/ dominant group. This paper talks about these
different populations and how they are being marginalized and discriminated against. While the
dominant group is the group of individuals which are being the oppressor. In society, the
dominant group is the group of individuals that are lucky enough to be privileged or in other
words advantaged. This paper looks at a black South American female and the different ways in
which that individual is being oppressed or oppresses by those dominant to the social identity
group. Another thing mentioned in this paper is the importance of education and the significant
role in which it plays in one being either dominant or subordinate.
Keywords: Dominant, Subordinate, Privileged, Oppressed, Advantaged and
Disadvantaged

DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUP ANALYSIS

Dominant and Subordinate Group Analysis Reflection Paper

Students were encouraged to focus on two particular social identity groups. Adams et al.
(2013) states that these social identity groups are the dominant group and the subordinate group.
When thinking about different groups, it is essential for individuals to understand that it is
possible to be a part of a dominant group as well as a subordinate group. When thinking about
the term domination, the first thing that comes to mind is the term privileged. To be privileged
does not mean to be right, however, what it does mean is that one individual or a group has a
particular advantage over another person or a group. Whereas when thinking about the term
subordination what comes to mind is the term disadvantaged. One group or individual is being
oppressed by another group or individual. This means that one person has power over the other.
Subordinate Group
Privilege is what isolates people. The concept of identity is one that is quite difficult for
individuals to understand. Being put in different situations gives people the opportunity to
understand their role in society. While many may feel that certain things are not an issue the
oppressed population beg to differ. The three different social groups in which will be looked into
in terms of subordinate are race, nationality, and gender. Belonging to these subordinate groups
being black, South American, and a female; the dominant group is presumed to be the white,
American, and males.
Black. There is great pride in being a black individual. However, when you place a black
individual alongside a white individual, that particular person somehow becomes subordinate to
the dominant group. As a member of this social groups, it is safe to feel quite incompetent when
it comes to dealing with the dominant group. The reason for this is because of the different
experiences that black individuals encounter. Being black in a country dominated by whites show
that something as small as the color of ones skin can make them unfortunate. For example,
blacks are always being ridiculed by people for things in which this group cannot control, like
the color of ones skin.
South American. Immigrants are constantly being criminalized. Of the many minority
communities existing as a whole within the United States of America, the immigrant community
seems to be the one that is most plagued with problems too insurmountable to solve. It
sometimes seems as though these individuals as a community are invisible when it comes to
education or anything empowering. Being a South American individual experiencing life in a
foreign land makes one subordinate to the citizens of that nation. For example, a citizen of the
land is more than likely to qualify for a job without certain document. However, that South
American immigrant is forced to present documentation to prove that they are legal in the
country and eligible to work.
Female. Men hold the power and the privilege in society. The oppression of women have
been evident ever since the beginning of time. A woman is seen to always be dependent upon a
man whether that man be her father or her husband. According to James (1999), Societal
normsexpect women to be seen and not heard. Many females may have great ideas. However,
the mere fact that this woman is not a male, the subject is made to feel powerless and without
significance. With being a part of any subordinate groups with unequal powers, the main thing
for these groups is survival. Even if it means to ignore those who are dominant in order to protect
themselves (Adams et al. 2013).

DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUP ANALYSIS

Dominant Group
Inequality is inevitable. Being Christian, a college student and a naturalized citizen could
make an individual dominant in the United States of America. Many times, the subordinate group
is assumed to be an Islamic individual, a college dropout and an undocumented immigrant. In
many cases, the dominant groups has a set of guides and resources in which are put in place to
keep them in control of the subordinate groups. There are many ways in which the culture of the
dominant groups is setting standards. These norms are only considered to be norms because of
the people that they were set by and the position in which they hold. People with power in most
cases makes rules to exert their influence upon the subordinate groups.
Christian. According to Voorst (2013), Christianity is the largest and most popular
religion in the United States, with 78 percent of those polled identifying themselves as Christian
in 2009. Being a member of the most common and recognized religion in the United States of
American makes one aware of privileges they have. There are many prejudices against members
of different subordinate religious affiliations, for example, Islam. When a Muslim individual
walks down the street in their traditional dress and head scarfs heads turn. In the case of the
Muslim individual, this is not necessarily a good thing because of the fear that symbolic religious
attire instills. However, when looking at Christian individuals, that is not the case in America.
Christianity is one of the most dominant religions within the American society and because of
this Christians are more than likely safe to feel empowered and of significance substance.
College Student. Many may underestimate the power of an educated woman. As a
member of the dominant group, the college student is seen as an object of domination to the
individual that had previously dropped out of college. It is safe to say that in more ways than one
that college student is a quite privileged individual in the American society. Even though it is not
white privilege it is still the privilege. Some of these privileges may include but are in no way
shape or form limited to societal class and educational rights because they give individuals many
different access to opportunities. The opportunity of another kind is the racial privilege; this
helps to show different character types and roles of different individuals of other races.
Naturalized Citizen. The dominant groups are powerful as compared to the subordinate
groups because of the opportunities in which are available to them. Being an immigrant in the
United States of America is at most times seen as being a part of a subordinate group. However,
this is not the case when looking at these individuals as compared to other minority groups
within America, for example, undocumented immigrants. Two oppressed groups yet when
looked at together, one is in a more dominant position than the other. Even though these
individuals are singled out for not being Americans there are a lot of jobs and other life
opportunities that are open to them than are open to the subordinate groups in this case. There are
many institutions in which are primarily used to exert this power that the dominant group is
trying to maintain, for example, schools, medical institutions and also social welfare
organizations. At a group level, these systems are used to exert power from one group to another.
Because the dominant group makes rules and tries to make, it seem as though these rules werent
created.
Reflection
According to Adams et al. (2013), a social group is identified as a sense of identity.
However, these different characters constitute different attributes. It is possible to be in both a
dominating and a subordinate position at the same time. For example, when thinking about

DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUP ANALYSIS

domination and subordination it is safe to look at marginalization, discrimination, exploitation,

and migration. Immigrants are disproportionately portrayed as the subordinate group. As a black,
South American female education is of great value and is the key to success. These different
subordinate and dominant relationships change depending upon the society, circumstances and
the situation in which people are put in. At least that is what the dominant groups has made as a
norm within the US.

DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUP ANALYSIS

References
Adams, M. (2013). Readings for diversity and social justice. New York: Routledge.
James, V. (1999). The feminization of development processes in Africa current and future
perspectives (p. 95). Westport, Conn.: Praeger.
Voorst, R. (2013). RELG: World (Student ed., p. 286). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.