The Role of Social Policy in the Issue of Inequality among Blacks and Minority Ethnic Communities - Term Paper Example

Name Course title Date The Role of Social Policy in addressing the issue of Inequality among Blacks and Minority Ethnic Communities Abstract In this paper the challenges of social policy are discussed by exploring the various ways in which social policy has impacted our societies. The discussion on this paper seeks to evaluate the strategies implemented to enhance social policy as well as resolve the issues arising from some policies. It evaluates how the society defines social policy and how it uses social policy in the socio-economic contexts of a community both in developing and developed countries. The impacts of social policy on particular groups of people such as the black community and minorities in the European Union and America are further explored. Information and data from previous studies is used to examine the perceptions of the black people and the minority ethnic communities by highlighting how social policies influence their lives at home and at work. The arguments presented in this paper conclude by acknowledging that the challenges of social policy such as poverty and inequality can be overcome by enacting democratic and moral views in respect to the dignity of all people. Keywords: Black People, Minority, Ethnicity, Social Policy, Policies, Social Exclusion, Inequality Introduction Social policy involves the study of human wellbeing, the social relations necessary for wellbeing and the systems by which wellbeing may be promoted (Schneider, 2000). Social policy has been used as a major tool in advocating for social change and introducing new developmental strategies. Selmi (2005), argues that social policy have been used in creating awareness on how national policies implemented by governments, fail to address the increasing needs of socio-economic and political challenges. This is because the existing approaches of national policies have limited opportunities shallow depth. Social policies adopt the use of competent research so as to be able to connect with the issues faced by a community. Therefore the concept of social policy mainly pays attention in examining the individual experiences of the affected group because the priorities and experiences of these individuals may vary or differ from the policies and practice of social policy. Social policy practitioners engage with ethnic diversity and use the knowledge gathered to understand the central role of social care workers and policy makers in respect to the wellbeing of the human anatomy. Social policy workers are undertake through training which exposes them to new scenarios that eventually builds their confidence. Moreover, social policy workers are able to use their own ideas, beliefs and assumptions to impact change in a society or community (Rowntree & Ponemory, 2010). The approach used by governments worldwide to implement policies that address social problems as well as meet human needs present ideas and interests that are contradicting. Social welfare policies focus on: Poverty, unemployment, accessibility to adequate healthcare, social and economic inequality and the wellbeing of children and the elderly. Therefore, the main responsibility of social policy is to examine how social challenges and issues of inequality influence a community. Social workers are further tasked with the role of using the knowledge one has acquired on human needs and provide relevant information that will assist the national officials in the process of policy making (Shelmi, 2004). Social policy as an important feature of the historic, social and economic growth of developed and developing nations is often overlooked. Critiques argue that this is due to the fact that social policy focuses on the development of strategies recommended for developing countries which are viewed as less attractive by international donors. Specific social policy ideas, such as universal health care, which is identified as an important unit for development and social cohesion in developed countries, is overlooked with the excuse that it is a luxury for first world countries due to their economic status. As a result, policy makers implement social policy programs as a remedy for the adverse social problems arising from economic instability with an aim to promote stability and growth (Stiglizt, 2012). The black people and the immigrants that occupy European nations are viewed as members of the community that do not have enough rights to enjoy the resources in these countries by some Europeans. For instance, restrictive migration laws have been implemented in some member states which has created tension and has led to the rise of great concerns. Additionally, there has been an increase on racial attacks against ethnic minority groups and immigrants. Expressions that are anti-ethnic and racial have contributed to social instability within black communities and the minority leading to poverty, inequality and stereotyping. Literature Review A theoretical approach applied in social policy is coined from the definition of Anderson et al. (2006) which he terms as a historical arrangement of development that is “structurally disequiliberated and socially exclusionary.” Silver (1994), views social exclusion in Europe as an emerging issue arising from poverty, poor welfare systems and unemployment which further hinder economic growth. Economic restructuring in Europe since the 1970s, has directly influenced social policies through policy makers who are inclined to evaluate how these policies benefit the minorities in the society. Evans (1998) discusses social inequalities as important aspects of the society that contribute to the ecological problems of the minority and the irresponsible social behavior of the majority in a community. The desire for economic and social growth among the minority in society promotes social vulnerability and hinders the collective mobilization of a community to preserve national capital. Ecological inequalities have become the new focus of social policy as they are viewed as part of social injustices. The social ecological link formed has become a source of influence that examines political factors that affect the black people and the minority (Anderson & Agrawal, 2011). According to Palmer and Kenway (2007) ethnicity embodies the different aspect of culture, history, religious, social and political beliefs. These features of ethnicity further reveal how social policy is influenced by the contradicting aspects of ethnic identity. A report by UNDP (2011) argues that ethnic identity may be a source of pride for the minority while at the same time it defines social exclusion for the majority. As a result, black people and the minority are able to use ethnicity to advocate for the implementation of social policies that celebrate their rights and promote equality (Margai, 2010). Social policy confronts ethnicity as a collective unit that fights against discrimination and oppression on the basis of ethnicity and demands for equality in policy making and the political process (Anderson et al. 2011). The minority ethnic communities in most European nations are characterized by the variances in social and economic status, origin, political stand and views on social citizenship (Vertovec, 2006). Policy makers are therefore faced with challenges in implementing policies that respond to the social and cultural complexes in a society (Mir, 2007). Vertovec (2006) argues that the diverse nature of the European Union needs social policies that redress socio-economic plans that place the minority group at a disadvantage compared to the majority in a country. The Role of Social Policy in Addressing Social Problems Social policy plays an important role in maintaining stability in the society. The complex nature of modern society is mainly characterized by diversity, has directly contributed to social challenge faced globally. Social exclusion, inequalities, poverty and poor medical services are some of the social challenges arising from the diversity of socio-economic interactions of countries and people from different ethnic groups (Anderson, 2006). Therefore, social policy aims at implementing sustainable theories that will correct some of the dependencies generating from contemporary society. Social policy makers, strive to come with basic concepts that will assist in developing the social, economic and political wellbeing of a society. The field of social policy further focuses on the challenges facing human beings and introducing ways in which people can access resources and opportunities to improve their lives (Mirza, 2000). In order to effectively address the challenges faced within a society, policy makers target the affected groups of people and provide solutions that match their issues. Thus, social policies identify the problems within a society, how they come about and in what way they are legitimized. Social workers use the knowledge gained on the understanding of human anatomy to influence the policy making process in order to benefit the affected individuals. Ethnicity, family settings, gender and culture are used to influence policy making as major societal dynamics that affect the quality of life led by individuals. Social policy enforces certain norms and practices as a strategy to approach challenges faced in a society and redress some of the social problems. Additionally, social workers encourage interests groups to lobby for support in the implementation of policies that will benefit their interest groups. Social workers in partnership with policy makers focus on creating safety nets for disadvantaged groups to ensure that they have dynamic social, economic and cultural contexts that allow them to thrive and lead productive lives (Barley & Salway, 2009). Social policy puts more emphasis on inclusive, sustainable and pro-economic factors that directly contribute to the creation of more opportunities for the marginalized groups. Policies endorsed by social policy advocate for substantial and committed structures that contribute to the economic growth through the creation of productive employment opportunities. Nonetheless, social policy employs the use of tools that assess, monitor and manage the role of each policy on the on economic, social and cultural rights. For example, a developmental agenda that was endorsed in 2015, suggested mechanisms that monitor the social influences of previous and future policies. These way policy makers are able to reduce any negative issues that may arise and enhance positive ones. Social exclusion Division of people in social groups is in most instances determined by race and ethnicity which are viewed along cultural and political boundaries. There is rising concern about black communities and the ethnic minority groups such as the immigrant population which has revealed that normative issues are their main worry. According to Silver (1994), social exclusion has been defined by the high rates of unemployment in Europe, which further prevented the economic growth of developing countries and led to increased poverty. Social exclusion has placed the black and minority ethnic groups (BME) in Europe at a disadvantage. It has contributed to the increased rates of unemployment among the black minority ethnic communities while contributing to a stunt growth of the economy. Silver (1994) affirms this by stating that socio-political restructuring has contributed to the negative challenges faced by black and minority ethnic group in Europe. The issue of discrimination and unequal employment among the black minority group varies depending on the member states. A study by Salway and colleagues (2009a) revealed that England provided laws that protect the minority from racial discrimination within its borders but these laws are not applicable in other countries in the European Union. For instance, Britain has drawn p legislations that protect workers from racial discrimination whereas Ireland does not have any domestic laws regulating racial discrimination (Salway et al. 2009a). Research has revealed that the issue of social exclusion in workplaces is significantly high contributing to the high numbers of unemployment among the black minority ethnic group (Social Exclusion Unit, 2000). For example, during the process of hiring and recruitment, employers tend to use negative stereotypes when selecting their employees. In the EU there is a rise in non-comparable regulations in most of the member states subjecting black and ethnic minorities to limited approaches to amend the rules against racial discrimination (Arai, 2006). The irregularities of anti-discrimination laws in the European Union press for the implementation of universal social laws that will protect the black minority ethnic group. This will create employment opportunities as well as advocate for fair wages and alienate poverty and crime (Craig et al. 2010). Social welfare policy and programs have been implemented in various European Union nations to encourage black minority and ethnic groups to participate in the policy making process. This way they are able to use their ideological and theoretical understanding to redress the issues arising from social exclusion. According to Craig and colleagues (2006), the development of a single European Market is aimed at introducing fairness in the job market and providing the minorities with an opportunity to participate fully. However, the economic constraints arising from this policy unravels the non-existence of a common law which is against racial discrimination due to the high numbers of ethnic minorities penetrating the EU work force. In a bid to redress this form of biasness in the workplace, each European member state is encouraged to formulate legislations and laws that govern and protect the minority from segregation and racial discrimination. Social workers and policy makers incorporate cultural, religious and ethnic diversity in the implementation of policies that are against social exclusion. This enables social practitioners to offer multi-dimensional care and support to black minority ethnic communities in a diverse manner that does not focus on the cultural perceptions and stereotyping (Salway et al. 2009b). The issue of poverty arising from social exclusion is evident as the black minority ethnic communities face unequal access to opportunities and funds in the labor markets (Evans, 1998). As a result, policy makers have introduced measurable ways that allow the black minority ethnic groups to closely work with other communities and implement long term polices that will address the issue of resource allocation. Therefore the issue of racial discrimination and unemployment arising from social exclusion is consciously resolved through a well-organized system. The theory of social exclusion has become widespread in both developing and developed countries. Well established institutions such as ‘The International Institute for Labor Studies’ has used its role in educating countries on the need of implementing policies that discourage social exclusion and promote social cohesion. UNRISD (2010), state that, “Social protection is concerned with preventing, managing, and overcoming situations that adversely affect people’s well-being”. It is however important to note that, political factors heavily contribute to the issues associated with policy making, which further requires political influence in order to make the suggested strategies effective. Social policy and social security concepts have been adopted as holistic approaches that protect the black minority ethnic communities from social exclusion. This way social policies use a comprehensive measure to protect the minority group of people and the risks they tend to face in socio-economic and political arenas. Social protections support the black minority ethnic community to prosper by focusing on reducing poverty, risks and vulnerability. Hence, states are inclined to offer social protection to its citizens based on the political philosophy to offer equal opportunities to all regardless of their racial background (UNDP, 2006). Thus, social exclusion incorporates different factors of poverty and inequality and examines the complex and intricate nature of the threats posed as well as the ways in which individuals become excluded as a result of these factors. Inequalities The issue of inequality among the black minority ethnic group continues to pose threats in social policy. This is because policy makers have identified it as one of the key challenges in policy making which has rapidly increased over the years. Inequality is defined as the disparities in monetary resources between people of different socio-economic contexts or population (UNDP, 2006). Shipley (2004), argues that the issues of inequality have contributed to the growth of poverty due to the way in which resources are allocated in both developing and advanced nations. The level of wealth concentration in developing and developed nations is only visible in specific communities or people making it hard for minority groups to access it. Shaxson et al. (2012), affirm that wealth inequality is closely related to income inequality. The majorities are able to access resources easily and take advantage of opportunities for economic growth present. On the other hand black minority ethnic communities are hindered by different forms of discrimination and stereotyping that makes it had for them to receive equal opportunities like the rest in their societies. As a result their economic status and that of their offspring is poor since the family can hardly afford a meal. Stiglitz (2012) argues that the blacks and minority ethnic groups are placed at a disadvantage since they are expected to pay their taxes despite the high levels of discrimination and inequality they encounter. Inequality, social exclusion and poverty are distinct topics in social policy which are closely interrelated. Areas where there is a high level of inequality tend to have increased rates of poverty making its citizens live below considerable standards of living. Due to the issue of increased unemployment rates amongst the black minority ethnic population, there are high levels of poverty. This is due to the fact that most of these households are unable to afford the human basic needs. Most black ethnic minorities are subjected to economic environments that do not allow them to freely access resources to increase their wealth. As a result these people are unable to afford secure housing, food and proper medical care, as they subjected to inconsiderable standards of living (Walby, 2007). This explains the harsh realities of black minority ethnic communities that are subjected to instances of inequality forcing them to adapt and cope with the challenges arising. The cycle of poverty in relation to inequality is evident as children are forced to grow up in under privileged households, whereas in some cases these children are abandoned to fend for themselves. The divided focus of social services in regards to racial discrimination against black people, violence and the function of social capital in protecting the minority. In the United States of America, the rate of racial inequality over the years has grown increasing the population of black Americans living in poverty (Stiglitz, 2012). Social policy reforms have been implemented in the last decade to restructure employment laws that provide black minority ethnic communities with better opportunities in securing employment. This is meant to assist black minority ethnic communities globally in securing jobs that are favorable and provide improved working conditions. Racial desegregation in learning institutions has been implemented in developed countries as a means to mend the laws governing social inequality. This has presented major struggles for black people especially in the last decade where black communities fought for equal learning opportunities as the white people. Therefore, policy makers have implemented policies that promote cohesive school environments which encourage racial and social diversity (Stiglitz, 2012). Stiglitz (2012) affirms that social policies have implemented the use of micro-economic structures to assist in sustainable, productive and decent employment opportunities for black and the minority ethnic groups. This way, social policies are able to fight inequality by ensuring that there are enough employment opportunities created to meet the growing numbers of new entrants in the job market. Additionally, social policies redress the issues of inequality by focusing on reducing the growing numbers of unemployment so as to reduce vulnerable individuals in marginalize groups. According to Walby (2007), the implementation of legislative reforms and laws on the issues of inequality among the black people and minority ethnic groups, has worked effectively in reducing inequality. Social policies use these legislatives to address discrimination, segregation and stereotyping which have heavily contributed to inequality. These measures have been successful in addressing social exclusion and recourse strategies by disadvantaged groups, enabling individuals to be able to reclaim their rights. Challenges Faced by Social Policies in the Process of Implementation Social policy has encountered numerous setbacks in the implementation of new policies. The current global changes directly impact the process of policy making as they interfere with the effectiveness of these policies. Climate change and conflicts have brought about setbacks in social policy as they negatively influence the comprehensive objectives of these policies. As a result, policy makers are unable to fully address social inequalities faced by the black and minority ethnic communities. For instance the world population has grown rapidly exposing more individuals to different forms of racial discrimination. Therefore, to consider the black community as the only minority ethnic group that is placed at a disadvantage seems unfair. Statistics reveal that at least 1.5 billion people live in unstable countries which are affected by civil war forcing them to migrate into foreign lands. In Europe, immigrants face various social and economic challenges which present them with unstable environments to receive equal and fair treatment. Issues of poverty and conflicts globally, increase the level of physical and psychological problems faced by children, women and men from the affected areas (Schneider, 2000). Moreover, international policy makers are unable to come up with universal social policies that will tackle the increasing social challenges associated with conflict, disease and poverty epidemics. According to a study by the Schneider (2000), the issues of conflicts and poverty in developing nations have risen and is now intra state adding to 90 per cent of the affected population worldwide. Such circumstances make it challenging for social policies to focus on some issues and they end up neglecting the ultimate roles and purpose of social policy. Walby (2007) argues that the relationship between social, economic and environmental factors is vital for the development and performance of social policy. These three aspects of social policy produce challenges and risks such as poverty, social exclusion and inequality that are closely related. Social policy must employ a comprehensive approach that closely examines the positive and negative consequences when implementing a policy. For example, in societies whereby the community has opted to embody a green economy, low income workers and the marginalized groups may be affected negatively leading to the increase of poverty levels in a community. Additionally, the introduction of alternative sources of energy such as carbon, can contribute to shortages in food production eventually leading expensive food items for the minority. On the other hand, energy policies that put additional costs to domestic households push low income workers to spend more than they can afford. The gaps in policies, legal frameworks and opportunities, hinder the conceptualization and implementation of social principles. It is rather challenging for social policies to socio-economic sectors and at the same time support the political views of changing concepts of social justice. National and global understanding of social policy main objective is in the formation of universal and independent policies that support the social welfare of all people (Stiglitz, 2012. According to Stiglitz (2012) social protection programs by the national governments tend to protect individuals solely against high rate of declines in income generation due to recession, sickness, market risks or old age. However, social policies must be keen to protect the marginalized group persistently due to their low incomes and structural conditions. Conclusion Social protection, improved proper health administration and social inclusion play a critical role in establishing social policies that are divergent, broad and open for new developments for the human life. Social policies aim at establishing transformative programs that expand the knowledge of policy making and expand modern tools to develop sustainable policies. Transformative approaches in social policy present conclusive guidelines that are diverse and positively influence the institution of social policy. International lobby groups need to enforce changes in laws and legislations that govern social policy so as to ensure that black and minority ethnic groups receive fair and equal opportunities. The new policies must be positively promoted, implemented and enforced to ensure that the minority communities are the globe are not discriminated on the basis of cultural differences. Additionally, social policy needs to adopt temporary measures that will foresee the implementation of universal social policies which promote and accelerate the idea of equality and desegregation. Critiques argue that universal social policies will play an important role in fighting against social exclusion and inequalities in different nations. However, it is important to note that human perceptions on social and cultural patterns need to be revised so as to eliminate the rising issues of prejudice and practices against the black people and minority ethnic groups. Social exclusion and various types of inequalities arise due to the differences in cultural and socio-economic practices of people. Thoughtful efforts must be implemented to make sure that the minorities in every country receive socio-economic, political and cultural equality. Access to public amenities and economic resources must be made available for the development of these groups of people and expansion of freedom enjoyed in these communities. References Anderson B (2006). Imagined Communities, Verso, London. Anderson, Beverly, Ruhs, M., Rogaly, B. and Spencer, Sarah. (2006). Fair enough? 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