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Essays on social exclusion
Social exclusion
Notes on causes of social exclusion
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Social exclusion can be defined as the failure of society to provide individuals and groups with access to those rights that are normally extended to its members, such as the right to education, employment, adequate housing, healthcare, technology and the justice system. Hence, social exclusion can occur individually and collectively at micro and macro levels of society, and is a reflection of inadequate social cohesion and integration. Whilst Australia is often referred to as an egalitarian nation, social exclusion occurs on a daily basis, exemplifying the way in which the mythof egalitarianism continues to be perpetuated in one of the most unequal societies in the developed world. At an individual level, social exclusion reflects the lack
Class is a key idea related to inequality, prejudice and discrimination in Australian society. It has been considered out of fashion, because some Australian people think that there is no class difference between people in Australia, everyone enjoys equality in society. In fact, the recent de-regulation of the workplace, and the widening gap in access to hospitals, schools and employment opportunities between the rich and poor, have made class more visible in Australian than ever before. Class is "a category of people who have generally similar educational histories, job opportunities, and social standing and who are conscious of their membership in a social group that is ranked in relation to others and is replicated over generations" (Kent, 1998:87). This essay argues that class cause continues to inequality in Australian society. Firstly, class structures labor market inequality. Secondly, class shapes the quality of a person's life. Thirdly, class inequality produces continuing class differences into the next generation. Finally, class has becoming a debate in Australian society, because class inequality encourages the `right' people to work more efficiently in the workforce and helps people to identify themselves in society, but continuing relevance of the concept of class is a matter in contemporary Australia.
Throughout the world, in history and in present day, injustice has affected all of us. Whether it is racial, sexist, discriminatory, being left disadvantaged or worse, injustice surrounds us. Australia is a country that has been plagued by injustice since the day our British ancestors first set foot on Australian soil and claimed the land as theirs. We’ve killed off many of the Indigenous Aboriginal people, and also took Aboriginal children away from their families; this is known as the stolen generation. On the day Australia became a federation in 1901, the first Prime Minister of Australia, Edmund Barton, created the White Australia Policy. This only let people of white skin colour migrate to the country. Even though Australia was the first country to let women vote, women didn’t stand in Parliament until 1943 as many of us didn’t support female candidates, this was 40 years after they passed the law in Australian Parliament for women to stand in elections. After the events of World War Two, we have made an effort to make a stop to these issues here in Australia.
Another issue which commonly affects the Aboriginal population, inhibiting the experience of good health, is culture clash which consistently lead to social exclusion and societal assimilation. Urquhart (2009) identifies social exclusion as the fourth of ten social determinants of health and is often a result of culture clash. It is very important to recognise that culture clash is a cultural issue which gives rise to certain discrepancies that highly influence Aboriginal health. These discrepancies are complex and interspersed factors such as ethnocentrism, segregation and oppression, which all result in the social exclusion and societal assimilation of Aboriginals. Ethnocentrism is described as the tendency to view one’s own culture as superior to all other cultures (Cooper, 2012). Crisp and Taylor (2008) endow that “All people are inclined towards ethnocentrism” and this was reiterated by the Storti (2012) who stated that “Not only is judging natural, it is essential to function effectively in society”. Although, whilst it is a common issue, ethnocentrism becomes a problem when it is exhibited by people whom hold a position of power and who also have the ability to overrule those with lesser power (Crisp & Taylor, 2008). Ethnocentrism is an important factor because it has the potential to develop into such social exclusions as segregation and oppression, especially when it is exhibited by people who hold such positions of power as community or Government leaders. Such was the case when the Aboriginal population began to raise at the beginning of the 20th century (Crisp & Taylor, 2008). The Government powers, influenced by ethnocentrism, developed the policy of segregation which ultimately impacted on many facets of Aborigina...
The myth that Australia is a classless society is still, till this day, circulating. With education opportunities differing, depending on your status in society and socioeconomic background, not all Australians share the same opportunity of education. Whether being a middle class citizen or an “elite” or from working class, all education opportunities offered, will be influenced by your financial status and hierarchy in society. Power can influence the outcome of an individual’s life.
A social problem is an issue that is defined by society to be exactly that; an issue. This can range from issues such as murder; which is commonly agreed on in Australia, or to issues such as smoking or loud music being played in parks, where only certain individuals in society see it as a problem. Unemployment in Australia is considered to be a social problem, due to it affecting around 6 percent of Australia’s population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2014). If unemployment only affected a few people then it could be said that those individuals being lazy or could not hold down a job, but due to it affecting a majority of society it then becomes a social problem.
Again, one must clarify what ‘social exclusion’ is. As defined by Gordon and Townsend (2000), they believe that ‘social exclusion’ is not a state but a process. In December 1997, the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) was set up for two years in the first instance, based in the Cabinet Office and reporting to the Prime Minister. The aim of the Unit is to develop coordinated policies to address social exclusion, described as joined-up policies for joined-up problems.
Social exclusion is the exclusion of an individual from the current social system, their individual rights and privileges. This is usually a result of a person living in poverty due to circumstances he or she has no control over, or their own human error. Becoming socially excluded can also be the result of the individual belonging to a minority social group. Social exclusion refers to individuals whom are excluded from certain aspects of social life such as employment and social relations. This can be due to reasons such as whether or not the individual would like to participate in social activities, or whether he or she is unable to participate in social activities for reasons which are beyond their control, such as a disability (Burchandt et al. 2002). Social exclusion can be a major problem, studies have shown that being socially excluded from a group/s in fact activates particular areas of the brain, areas which would usually only be activated by physical pain (Eisenberger et al, 2003). Not only can social exclusion have negative effects on an individuals mental health and wellbeing, but it can also cause exploitation, oppression and marginality. Social exclusion also prevents equality, fairness and social justice.
During the Celtic Tiger, Ireland had a booming economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. The government’s success in economic and employment growth slowed migration and transformed Ireland into a prosperous nation. However, due to the recession that followed the inevitable collapse, many demographic groups have been excluded from participating in, and benefiting from, a healthy and inclusive society. Social care practitioners work in a direct person-to-person capacity with service users. This puts social and community workers in the unique position to promote equity, participation, social justice, and wellness among individuals, groups, or families on the programme, organisation or community-advocacy levels. (Prendergast, 2012) With this in mind, the notion that tackling poverty, deprivation, and exclusion is exclusively the preserve of the government can be dismissed. Collaborative work among the various disciplines involved in social care, e.g. community development workers, social care practitioners, social workers, and welfare officers, is found to work most effectively when promoting inclusiveness. (Dorsner, 2004) Social exclusion is of increasing interest because it has gained a primary role in official documents and in the political debate in Ireland and throughout Europe. (Geddes, 2000) This essay will set forth a definition of social exclusion. A summarization of how older people within society are excluded will be given; with focus on four main themes. It will set forth the best methods for minimising social exclusion, with regards to the four themes identified. Finally, it will give an account of two ways to diminish social exclusion, and thereby promote inclusion.
Whatever the term deviance creates , in general it is popularly assumed that 'deviants' are individuals who are somehow less capable, less socially responsible, less adjusted, and consequently less useful to society than their more fortunate, upright and 'normal' fellows ( Social Deviance in Australia, p 4). In the case of Aboriginal drinking, alcohol is the main source of criminalisation and incarceration. This public labelling gives the individual an entirely new status- one which tends to dominate the person's self conception. Once this assumes a 'master status' it becomes the major reference for personal identity and relegates all to other 'normal' characteristics to a subsidiary status. This process insures that characteristics such as sexual preference, comes to intrude upon and influence almost their entire existence. Once identified publicly, (homosexuals), the person is treated differently and expected to behave differently (Study guide p18). The creation of deviance according to Merton is seen as the responsibility of society ( or the law abiding and respectable members of society) and of the official agents of social control ( police, magistrates, social workers, teachers, judges, doctors and psychiatrists) ( Social Deviance in Australia p 5). Merton draws attention to the causal significance of social, economic and cultural factors of all kinds in pushing or pulling certain types of individuals into courses of action which involved rule breaking. Interactionists', however, like Becker are primarily concerned with the role social control plays in the social production of deviance, which may take two main forms- rule making and rule enforcing. As Becker (1963:9) writes: 'social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitute deviance... and by applying these rules to particular people and labelling them outsiders. While Quinney states that crime is created. He refers to the social definition of deviance, to the fact that the system of government we have created for ourselves was and is constructed by those who have titled authority and power. Control is exerted through a variety of institutions run by and for the elite (Mass media, education, religion). It is those who are in power who define what is seen as deviant behaviour.
This essay will explore the socio-economic background affecting Regina and the circumstances she faces within her life. In addition to this, I will examine the Sociological model of Social class in comparison to why Regina finds herself in the specific social position that she is in, as well investigating the contributing factors that are associated with social class and health issues. The definition of Sociology described together with the Social Class Model itself. Firstly I will provide a brief picture of Regina’s situation; Regina is a 23 year old single mother of a two year old son. She lives on her own in council accommodation in Bridgeton. Since the age of 8 she has suffered from arthritis, this can be extremely painful at times and needs on-going help from her mother and best friend to care for her child. Due to her health conditions Regina is unable to work therefore receives state benefits. The benefit reform is causing worry for Regina. Additionally Regina and her ex-partner are disputing child visitation issues. Although Regina receives multi-disciplinary help for her arthritis, she is concerned about the instability of her illness and now feels socially isolated and depressed.
Social exclusion is a contested term with multiple definitions, it is complex, multifaceted and has a variety of dimensions. Social exclusion is ‘the dynamic process of being shut out, fully or partially, from any of the social, economic, political and cultural systems which determine the social integration of a person in a society’ (Walker and Walker 1997:8). There’s no one universal definition of social exclusion, however lack of participation in any dimension of society is at its core. Therefore, social exclusion is subjective and leads to a lack of agency, which results to the feeling of alienation and isolation from society. Hence, ‘social exclusion is a complex and multi-dimensional process… it affects both the quality of life of individuals
Mental illness shapes the lives of many Australians and leads to both positive and negative experiences. Stigma and discrimination impacts negatively on the lives of individuals affected with mental health illnesses. An anti-sigma campaign (Time to Change, 2016) states that stigma occurs, “when we make assumptions about how mental health problems will affect someone’s behaviour, this makes it more likely that they will be singled out, or labelled as different, dangerous or strange”. There are many negative influences of stigma that precedes the lives of individuals suffering with mental illness, and this paper will discuss several effects. Mental health consumers have abundant opportunities in life, yet self-stigma may generate feelings of
The stolen generations, the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children that occurred in the late 19th Century to the 1970s have had effects on Indigenous people of Australia today. The 1997 report Bringing Them Home, from the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, reports that up to one in three Indigenous children were forcibly removed during this time period. The vast number of indigenous children stolen and the immense amount of sorrow that had been caused has left a lasting impact in today’s Indigenous society. The physical, emotional and sexual abuse that was faced by the overwhelming number of members of the stolen generations has left some incapable of loving and maintaining relationships, leading to
Discrimination is a significant issue that many employees are facing in their work place. Discrimination is the unfair treatment of one particular person because of their gender, religion, nationality, ethnicity, culture, race, or other personal traits. It is unlawful to refuse to hire a potential employee based on one of the attributes listed above. Discrimination in the workplace generally falls into two categories, direct and indirect discrimination. Direct discrimination is when a person is treated less favourably due to their personal traits, while indirect discrimination involves actions that may involve an imposition of a condition, requirement or practice in which one class will be able to comply with, while another class of employees will fail to do so. Discrimination is an important aspect of Australian workplaces, as Australia is known for its multiculturalism.
According to Sherwood (2001) ‘96% of Buddhist organisations are actively involved in education and social welfare activities.’ There are many social welfare activities that Buddhists contributes in Australia by which are based around nine categories: education of the adult public, education of children, working with the sick in hospitals and hospice, working with the sick and dying in the community and in palliative care, visiting prisons, working with drug addicts, fundraising for the poor and needy (in Australia and overseas), speaking up for human right and against oppression, and compassionate activities on behalf of non-human sentient beings.