Which of the following best describes unearned privilege?

Which of the following best describes unearned privilege?

• A. Achievements that individuals earn through hard work
• B. Advantages that are automatically given to certain cultural groups
• C. Opportunities that everyone has regardless of background
• D. Access to certain cultural resources that require effort to obtain

Answer: (B)

Unearned privilege refers to advantages that individuals have based not on their own actions or achievements, but due to their membership in particular social or cultural groups. These privileges can manifest in various ways, such as access to resources, societal recognition, or systemic advantages that are often unrecognized by those who benefit from them. Option B accurately captures this concept, emphasizing that these advantages are automatically conferred to specific cultural groups regardless of merit or effort. The other choices do not align with the definition of unearned privilege. The notion of achievements through hard work reflects a meritocratic view, which is fundamentally different from the concept of unearned privilege. Options describing opportunities available to everyone or access to resources that require effort to obtain focus on merit and effort rather than the inherent advantages linked to one’s social identity.

Unearned privilege refers to advantages that individuals have based not on their own actions or achievements, but due to their membership in particular social or cultural groups. These privileges can manifest in various ways, such as access to resources, societal recognition, or systemic advantages that are often unrecognized by those who benefit from them. Option B accurately captures this concept, emphasizing that these advantages are automatically conferred to specific cultural groups regardless of merit or effort.

The other choices do not align with the definition of unearned privilege. The notion of achievements through hard work reflects a meritocratic view, which is fundamentally different from the concept of unearned privilege. Options describing opportunities available to everyone or access to resources that require effort to obtain focus on merit and effort rather than the inherent advantages linked to one’s social identity.