Social Inclusion in Australia - Case Study Example

Social inclusion in Australia Name Institution Course Unit Instructor Date Introduction Social inclusion is one of the core subjects addressed by governments, organizations and even non government organizations. It is core component on many governments and organizations social policies. So, what is social inclusion? The World Bank defines social inclusion as process and outcome of empowering people to take part in society (World Bank 2013) while Carson and Kerr (2013) add that apart from taking part in society, it also involves making people feel included and valued. This therefore implies that social inclusion initiatives target people who are socially excluded as a result of varying causes. This paper thus explains the factors that cause or limit social inclusion, the measures that can promote social inclusion and the benefits or outcomes of social inclusion. Demographic factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, religion, population, education level, marital status, family composition/size, among other influence the level of inclusion in a society. The factors are usually expressed in statistical form (Taket et al. 2013). This can thus mean the ratio of youth versus adults or working population as a fraction of total population. In the case of Australia, the statistics on the above factors influence level of inclusion in the society. For instance, the level of social inclusion based on ethnicity has largely addressed the involvement of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders as well as the growing population of immigrants in the Australian social activities (Australian social inclusion board 2012). The department of Australian institute of family studies is mandated with carrying out government social inclusion programs that largely target socially excluded cohorts. Policy issues are also known to cause social exclusion. Various government policies such as education policies, healthcare policies and even employment programs have disadvantaged some people and groups. For instance, previous governments employed a terra nullius policy that strategically alienated the involvement of Australian indigenous communities. Their land was forcibly taken and they were forced to retreat back into the bush. Ever since then, these communities have struggled to keep up with mainstream Australia and current efforts have born mixed results (McGregor, 2011). Low income levels among specific groups limit their social inclusion in respective societies. Low income is associated with many negative incomes especially in the long term. Various social groups especially women and minority groups have suffered from low income despite serving in similar positions to people from mainstream ethnic groups or men in the case of women. According to the ABS (2013) tax forms lodged in 2010-11 financial year in Australia, recorded average wages were $51,923 with males earning higher at $62,699 compared t females at $ 40,312. Younger persons aged 15-34 years also recorded wages below the national average at just $40,055. This lower than average incomes levels in women and the youth affects their economic well being and participation in other social endeavours. Education and literacy levels affect and drive social inclusion. Estimates indicate that the higher the literacy and education levels, the high the social inclusion levels holding other factors constant. Literacy empowers individuals and communities to better have control of their lives and even positions them better in the job market. Studies have indicated that education levels predict adult outcomes at work and even earnings. Other studies have also lined higher education levels with improved health outcomes (Taket et al. 2013). The pursuit of education however, can be limited by physical or mental disability, family factors, economic factors, and locality factors among others. Crime and neighbourhood are clear drivers of social inclusion. In Australia and other countries around the world, crime levels vary with neighbourhoods and sometimes the average income levels in those areas. It is not a coincidence that crime is higher in low income areas or neighbourhoods that have been systematically alienated in manner that promotes crime. This is predicted by the housing and planning in such areas. High populated areas are also prone to high crime levels and thus direct impact on the social inclusion levels of individuals residing in such areas (Daly et al. 2007). Aboriginal communities in Australia have largely been victims of the systemic failures in Australia that have seen most communities living in far flung secluded areas far from civilization. Such areas receive very poor or no social services such as healthcare, school systems, infrastructure and even governance and hence residents are socially excluded (Social Inclusion week, 2013). Healthcare services and physical conditions are key drivers of social inclusion. Health status and healthcare services affects individuals and communities involvement and participation in a society. Serious illnesses and conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and stroke have even managed to attract some level of stereotyping while HIV stigmatised and thus hinder social inclusion. For the physically challenged, involvement in a number of physically demanding and even social activities is hampered where necessary facilities are not provided (Daly et al. 2007). For persons using wheelchairs, ramps are necessary but are not available in many buildings as the law in Australia requires them to be present in public buildings. In other countries, such laws are nonexistent or poorly implemented and thus impact in the social inclusion levels of the physically challenged. Outcomes There have been active efforts to promote social inclusion among socially excluded groups. The country reports a higher life satisfaction than OECD averages with 75% f the Australians being satisfied with life. However, about 5% of Australians are still entrenched hardships and disadvantages (ABS, 2013) with majority of them being indigenous and migrant populations (Indigenous statistics 2014). The Australian Federal government has been centrally involved in majority of these projects with the sole intention of eliminating policies and factors that promote social exclusion given that majority of them have been linked to government policies (McGregor, 2011). President Paul Keating’s Redfern Speech of 1992 has been heavily cited for setting into motion the move to address social exclusion of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia. The speech offered an apology and recognition of the role of past governments in perpetuating policies that disadvantaged these groups in many ways and horizontal inequalities spanning generations. As such, many government policies on health, education, sports, housing, infrastructure, agriculture and culture targeting the aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders can be traced back to the Redfern Speech. All these measures have been encompassed into the Closing the Gap initiative which intended to close the gap between indigenous Australia and non-indigenous Australia (Australian social inclusion board 2012). The current situation in Australia on social inclusion has greatly improved compared to a few years back. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey reveal significant changes in ingenious health, education and social inclusion factors. For the disabled and those facing terminal illnesses, state and commonwealth governments have established schemes and programs to enhance their involvement and participation in the society under the various factors addressed above. Key among them includes disability allowances and equal opportunities laws (Australian social inclusion board 2012). However, these groups and specifically indigenous Australians are far way off compared to non-indigenous Australians. The ABS (2013) notes some positive trends in the growth of wages among indigenous populations noting a 14% increase in weekly wages from 2005 to 2008 among indigenous Australians to $580 which is only 61% of what non indigenous Australians earn. Such differences have been attributed to lower levels of education among indigenous populations which limits majority of them to low paying manual and unskilled jobs. The drive to increase quality and access to education among this group is not just solely intended to increase literacy as a social inclusion measures but also prepare the community for better higher education and better paying jobs. Similar moves have been witnessed in other countries where specific groups and communities have been marginalised for long periods. The corrective measures employed t foster social inclusion for socially excluded groups is making slow but sure progress. Australia as a country that is faced with a dark history on how it has treated its indigenous communities is slowly making progress towards social inclusion and social integration. The country has enacted programs to address social inclusion on various levels. Other minor groups predisposed to social exclusion are also well addressed through a wide range of programs. References ABS (2013). Australian social trends . Retrieved online on 14th Sept. 2014 from, http://abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4102.0Main%20Features22014?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4102.0&issue=2014&num=&view= Australian social inclusion board (2012). Social Inclusion in Australia How Australia is faring. Retrieved online on 14th Sept. 2014 from http://ppcg.org.au/dev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/HAIF_report_final.pdf Carson, E. & Kerr, L. (2013). Australian social policy and the human services. London: Cambridge University Press. Daly, A., McNamara, J., Tanon, R., Harding, A. & Yan, M. (2007). Indicators of risk of social exclusion for Australia’s children: an analysis by state and age group. National centre for social and economic modelling. Retrieved online on 14th Sept. 2014 from http://www.natsem.canberra.edu.au/storage/CSE_NIG_final.pdf Indigenous statistics: quality and availability (2014). Retrieved online on 14th Sept. 2014 from http://www.aihw.gov.au/indigenous-statistics-quality-availability/ McGregor, R. (2011). Indifferent inclusion: Aboriginal people and the Australian nation social inclusion week. Retrieved online on 14th Sept. 2014 from, http://www.socialinclusionweek.com.au/ Taket, A., Crisp, B., Graham, M., Hanna, L., Goldingay, S. & Wilson, L. (2013). Practising social inclusion. Sydney: Routlegde. World bank (2013). Social inclusion Retrieved online on 14th Sept. 2014 from http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/socialdevelopment/brief/social-inclusion Social inclusion Brochure Social inclusion is an important project of our modern society. Perhaps you may ask, what is the fuss about inclusion? Social inclusion is defined as the process of making sure people at risk of poverty, unemployment or other social ills are given the support and opportunities to engage fully in economic, social and cultural activities considered normal in the society in which they live in. Therefore anyone can be able to tell the extent of social inclusion in their societies by just looking around them and identifying whether all individuals and groups are offered equal opportunities to engage in economic and social activities such as sports, education employment etc. Alternatively, any systemic factors that limit you from engaging in the normal activities in the society can mean that you are socially excluded and certain actions should be taken. The Commonwealth Government is committed to pursue social inclusion as an active continuous policy. This has seen the creation of a Social Inclusion Board and Social Inclusion Policy unit under the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The unit is tasked with providing advice to ministers, supporting the Australian Social Inclusion Board and helps to progress the social inclusion agenda across all governments and other sectors. Who’s at risk of social exclusion? Children and youth Homeless Ethnic minorities- ethnic groups such as immigrants and indigenous groups that are not considered part of the mainstream society Neighbourhoods- This is social exclusion based on geographical boundaries and thus may have a wider reach spanning ethnic groups or even different age groups. Terminally ill and older people- People who face disease caused or age caused health difficulties and require specialized attention, medication and care. Impoverished people- A person or household is said to be living in poverty if the total household income and resources (material, cultural and social) are not enough to provide them with a standard of living considered acceptable or decent by the particular society or country in which they reside in. Importance of social inclusion Social inclusion enables these individuals to participate fully in the society. It is not only beneficial to them but also to the society itself as individuals benefits most when all members of society. There are far reaching economic and human costs to social exclusion. For instance, the exclusion of youth and children can imply disaster to the economy as a result of poorly skilled manpower in the future or even decreased production in the industries. As such, social inclusion must be pursued by societies with governments at the forefront as a form of sustenance to the society itself. Social inclusion measures Anti-poverty strategies- e.g. minimum wage requirements Closing the gap initiatives Youth training programs Universal healthcares services Universal education services Infrastructural projects Public awareness and education Constitutional efforts Social support services among others Public awareness of what social inclusion is encourages people, society and governments into pursuing an active social inclusion policy. Therefore, learning institutions address social inclusion as a subject in sociology and also pursues social inclusion in school programs to promote equity and social justice for all. Read More