Is Australia Becoming a More Unequal Society - Essay Example

Running Head: AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY Is Australia Becoming A More Unequal Society? Is Australia Becoming A More Unequal Society? Introduction Australia is a country known for freedom and fairness, however many groups such as youth, jobless, aged, and racial groups have a tendency to become marginalized because of their alternative position. Certain groups are marginalized because they are perceived as being different or undeserving of equality in society. This is called stereotyping and it leads to prejudice and discrimination. This essay explores three marginalized groups and discusses some of the reasons why they are marginalized and the effects on those within these groups. Exclusion from areas such as employment and other services and opportunities that other Australian’s take for granted, is a result of the marginality of indigenous Australian’s, woman, and those with disabilities as the following paragraph explores. Disability can be defined as a condition that impedes the functional limitations of the individual, thus impairing the performance and enjoyment of activities of daily living, thereby affecting the individual’s relationship with the physical, economic, and physical environment. According To the Bureau of Statistics, in 1998 19% of the Australian population were living with a disability 87% of which were attempting to cope with specific restrictions in core activities such as mobility, self-care, communication with family and friends, and opportunities to participate in educational and employment opportunities (Ian, 2003). However, not all disabilities involve physical impairments. Impairments of a non-visual nature are also quite common and can largely go unnoticed such as learning disabilities. People with disabilities are victimized by negative stereotypes of dependence and incapacity associated with discriminatory attitudes and practices that result in exclusion and social isolation. Disabled people frequently lack access to employment, public facilities, voting, and other forms of civic involvement due to barriers of stigma, fear, and assumptions, and thus are denied the opportunity to participate fully in society Of the many consequences of their marginality, the exclusion of the disabled from employment within the mainstream workforce remains one of the most difficult issues faced by disabled people. For anybody, being employed can have a crucial impact on their lives. It also has great importance on our social and material well being. Income, self-esteem, identity and sense of independence are just a number of benefits that people can gain from being an active and useful member of the workforce. Yet from a historical perspective, many disabled people have been denied such benefits because of their exclusion from mainstream social and societal activities such as worthwhile employment in particular. Interestingly, disable workers have in the past found themselves welcomed and encouraged into employment during time of shortage of able bodied workers during times of war (Barnes, Mercer & Shakespeare 1999, p.22). Disabled people who do manage to make their way into the work force tend to encounter numerous disadvantages such as advancement and on average earn around one quarter of the income of their able bodied counterparts (Barnes, Mercer & Shakespeare 1999, p.110). In addition, the majority of well paid, high skilled and rewarding positions are commonly taken by non-disabled people (Ian, 2003). It is possible that employers are not interested or unmotivated to make possible changes or allowance for physically disabled people within their organization and may be concerned about whether they will be able to do the job efficiently and if special requirements may need to be catered for. Such negative stigma associated with the disabled may be a direct result of lack of education and poor attitude, or even just a lack of common sense. As stated by Karen Nankervous, senior lecturer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (ed. Healey 2000, p.26), ‘There is a societal perception that in some way a person with a disability is not going to be able to do a job to the same standard as someone without a disability… this has been proven time and time and time again to be totally incorrect.’ This is a point that many employers seem to miss, that people with physical disabilities still possess intelligence, skills, motivation, and a positive attitude to work and other areas of society. These physical and social structures become reinforced by social belief and cultural attitudes. Thus the social environment has enforced the social isolation and dependency of people with disabilities, substantially limiting participation in what most Australian’s take for granted. Although rights based approaches remain necessary to overcome the barriers facing many Australian’s with disabilities, policy strategies that builds on a human variation approach may further aid in eliminating the disadvantaged marginalization. Women have come along way toward proving themselves as just as important to society as men. For example, greater numbers of woman are now in the Commonwealth Parliament and employment roles that were traditionally only for men, such as in management. A lot of frustratingly hard work and perseverance over a long period of time has seen dramatic inroads made in the way women are accepted and treated in what has traditionally been a male dominated world. They do, however, continue to be marginalized as being the least important gender. However, the degree to which women are marginalized based on their gender varies across different cultures. The genders and their roles and functions within societies of differing cultures are defined in accordance with the relevant cultural expectations and traditions (Hurst 2001, p.74). Traditionally, women have been unequal with men on a variety of dimensions, including positions within government, status, employment and wages, and access to services and opportunities from which men have been able to benefit relatively unimpeded. However, changes in the law combined with progressive attitudes towards equality, because of the demands from women, have led to a greater sense of freedom and independence for women in Australia. For the first time, in 1999, woman outnumbered men in undergraduate medical degrees and more women than men complete secondary school (ed. Healey 2001, p.13). Although the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 makes it illegal to discriminate because of sex, marital or family status, and pregnancy, predetermined discrimination, particularly in employment, continues to be an issue as discrimination has become more covert as a necessity to avoid being in breach of the law (ed. Healey 2001, p.3) and most complaints relating to the Act come from within the workforce (p. 4). Although women make up around 42 percent of the workforce, they hold only three percent of the two positions in management. Moreover, of Australia’s top two hundred companies, the top four executive positions are held by men. (Ed. Healey 2001, p.22). Although the social and economic advancements for women have improved steadily, the media continues to hamper the progression towards equality by reinforcing stereotypes such as those that portray women as the family cook, cleaner, and grocery shopper. These images of inaccurate physical and psychological traits have the ability to lock woman into stereotypical roles, reinforcing their subservient position in society (Ruth, 2001, p.87). It is not surprising then, that women often find it very difficult to gain access to employment positions that have traditionally been for men only. Much more needs to be done to educate and change the stereotypical attitudes toward women so that they can reach their full potential. Governments should continue working toward ensuring that woman is given equal status. Disadvantage and marginalization of indigenous Australian’s began with the dispossession of land, displacement of their people, and separation of families. Indigenous Australian’s have difficulty in gaining access, to the same degree, to what white Australian’s have ready access such as housing, employment and general services. Indigenous Australian’s are one of the most disadvantaged groups in this country in social and economic areas such as employment, housing, income, and health. The burden of poor health among aborigines is of particular concern. The health disadvantage of indigenous people begins in infancy and continues throughout their life. The problem appears to become evident right from birth with aboriginal woman twice as likely as non-indigenous woman to have a stillborn baby and twice as likely to give birth to an underweight baby (ed. Healey 2000, p.4). During the period between 1991 and 1996, life expectancy for indigenous people was around 20 years than that of their non-indigenous counterparts. The lives of indigenous people are affected by many other health factors, one of most concern is alcohol related problems that impact on their well-being, family structure, and even aboriginal traditional life because they tend to drink more haphazardly. Some of the health risks to which indigenous people are exposed can be attributed the differences between the health of indigenous and non-indigenous people. Such risks include, poorer living conditions, poor nutrition, alcohol consumption at haphazard levels, and heightened exposure to violence. The Indigenous population access health services at a much lower rate than that of the non-Indigenous population, despite their poorer health. Noel Hayman, manager for the Indigenous Health Services, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Health Service District, Brisbane, QLD, described the barriers to access and treatment in an urban Brisbane community with a relatively large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population (about 8%). He noted that relatively few Indigenous people used the Inala Community Health Centre, a primary care clinic in the community. He also noted several barriers to access including: Lack of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals at the Centre. Aboriginal people felt more comfortable if Aboriginal people were: involved in their care; Perceiving unfriendliness of health centre staff, seeing inappropriate body language, enduring long waiting times in an appointment system that was difficult to adhere to. Lack of understanding about the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people construct reality, their knowledge and values was also an issue as was the difficulty in physical access due to lack of private and public transport (Hayman n.d.). A number of initiatives may improve the likelihood of Aborigine’s seeking health care: Employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as health professionals or receptionists; Purchasing culturally appropriate health posters and artefacts for the waiting room; Providing cultural awareness programs for all staff, including non-Indigenous health professionals; Disseminating information about available services in Indigenous communities. Further, continued efforts to formulate policies that improve facilitation into paid employment, accessible and affordable health care, and access to educational opportunities for all indigenous people are needed to narrow the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australian’s. Australia is believed to be a classless society. But, it is impossible to understand Australia or the lives of Australians without referring to class. It helps to explain everything from ‘lifestyles to accents, from voting patterns to real estate prices, from TV soaps to social climbers to the politics of the labor party, from John Howard to Ita Buttrose to Paul Hogan, from the social makeup of Australian cities to the myths and images juggled by the advertising agencies, to the most profound conflicts within Australian culture’. Therefore to live in Australia, we have to realize and understand that different social classes have different jobs, live in different suburbs, go to different schools, get different incomes, and speak different ways, experience crucial differences in privilege and inequality. There are said to be three main classes in Australia – the upper class, the middle class and the working class. The boundaries between these classes can be disputed. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of a small minority of the population regarded as ‘upper classes. Their wealth is derived from direct ownership of property and capital. (Mary et.al. 2004, p 154) A middle class consists of individuals with non manual occupations. They enjoy the benefits of high income. The white collar workers like secretaries, clerks and shop assistants are ‘lower middle class’. The working class people are defined as having non ownership of production, their role is to provide labor to the dominant or ‘ruling classes. (Ruth, 2001, p.93) The concept of an underclass was constructed in 1987 for people who are unemployed long term and others dependant on welfare payments and aboriginal people. Family break up, drug and alcohol misuse, and crime appear to be the consequences of an underclass phenomenon. Significantly the social disadvantage transfer from generation to generation. According to the functionalist view some form of stratification is inevitable socially. They view society as composed of a complex system of statuses and roles. In order for a society to function those ‘statuses’ must be occupied by well qualified people. The most important positions require extensive training. (Ian, 2003, p.124) Subsequently the person undertaking such responsibility has to be compensated with high rewards and opportunities. Therefore society develops some systems of unequal rewards. Functionalist argues that talents and skills are not equally distributed in society. Thus stratification is necessary to motivate those with necessary skills to occupy necessary positions and maintain stability in the society. This case appeals to the professional class or ‘upper class’ in society but creates inequality. Conclusion In conclusion, people marginalized within minority groups such as disabled people, woman, and indigenous Australian’s, are still disproportionately unemployed and underemployed, and their incomes are below those of people without disabilities. Some of the experiences and characteristics of people within these groups are like those of other groups commonly recognized as minorities, such as racial and ethnic minorities, or gays and lesbians, the aged and youth. These groups are subject to prejudiced attitudes, discriminatory behavior, and institutional and legal constraints. The social environment determines the extent to which stereotypes and social attitudes result in exclusion from mainstream social processes. Australian’s believe in harnessing the skills and talent of all members of our society to build a better future. However, Australian’s from all walks of life, cultural background, gender, and status have a need to feel that they play an equal part in the future of this country, and we all should work towards a country of acceptance and inclusiveness. References Alastair Greig, Frank Lewins, Kevin White. (2003) Inequality in Australia, Cambridge University Press. Barnes, C., Mercer, G. & Shakespeare, T. (1999), Exploring Disability, Polity Press, Malden, USA. Bruyere, S. M. (2000), Civil rights and employment issues of disability policy. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, vol.11, no. 1, pp.18-28. Healey, J. (ed.) (2000), ‘Issues in Society’, Disability and Discrimination, The Spinney Press, Sydney. Healey, J. (ed.) (2001), ‘Issues in Society’, Sex Discrimination, The Spinney Press, Sydney. Healey, J. (ed.) (2002), ‘Issues in Society’, Aboriginal Disadvantage, The Spinney Press, Sydney. Hurst, C. (2001), Social Inequality, Allyn and Bacon, USA. Ian Mcallister, Steve Dowrick, Riaz Hassan. (2003), The Cambridge Handbook of the Social Sciences in Australia, Cambridge University Press. Mary Waters, Fiona Devine, (2004), Social Inequalities in Comparative Perspective, Blackwell Publishing Limited Ruth Fincher, Peter Saunders, (2001) Creating Unequal Futures? Rethinking Poverty, Inequality and Disadvantage, Allen & Unwin. Read More