Social Ills in Society - Term Paper Example

Heading:  Social ills in society Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Introduction Dr Sarah Wise in her research work studies the negative implications of continuing social ills in societies. She is very much against the levels of rising inequality and disadvantages in societies. She argues that human beings do not conform comfortably to inequality as it breaks healthy cultural relations. She observes the enormous divide between high and low income earners in America and the societal problem involved therein and points out that Australia is at the cross roads to heightening inequality and social breakdown. Advance Australia fair, the national anthem of Australia, exult the freedom and the many reaches found in Australia. This is ironical as many marginalized groups in the society continue receiving disadvantages that segregates them from the rest. This essay looks into the various social inequalities and breakdowns in Australia and argues that to improve the genuine quality of life in society is to improve the social quality of social environment such as reducing the income scale and status differences that people have. Social-economic Inequalities in Australia In Australia, there is enough evidence to prove that inequality has been on the increase over the last 3 decades. This has been because of unjust distribution of resources. Most researchers has focused on levels of disadvantages shown to many areas in Australia which had made them to experience serious problems such as unemployment , poverty, and housing imbalance throughout generations (Kate 2010, 15). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are examples of marginalized groups in Australia (Knudsen 2004, 20). These marginalized groups have been isolated, disconnected and they lack the freedom to choose a meaningful life. Most do not have enough income to support their families and these have been serious problems across generations of many families. Findings has revealed that most of these marginalized groups and families also experience a host of other problems that lead to failing in schools, health problems, post trauma , and homelessness . For example, youths in such marginalized areas perform poorly in academics and this gives a clear picture of lost chance for youths and children in such areas to make in life (Mason, Reid & Perry 2003). Hence, in my own argument it is the time for Australian government to address the inequality issue, which as widened the gap in opportunities existing between high-income earners, average income earners and the marginalized ones. Marginalized groups in Australia experience many aspects of inequalities including education, housing, health care transport and communications, income inequality and social segregation. Income inequality is recognizable and easily measured. According to Ruthven (1992, p. 4), the variations in income levels are so big that low-income families are unable to enjoy the basic standard of living. This has forced them to live a simple live and to take part in wider community. High-income earners live extravagantly; they enjoy their lifestyles to incredible levels. Income inequalities leads to other inequalities as described. According to Moreton (2003 p. 27), high income is not the remedy for this. Providing education to poor families, affordable medical services, low cost housing and low cost of vital services can ease the pressure of need for higher income. Unfortunately, in Australia, the cost of these essential services has escalated and hence their availability to low income earners has reduced. This has forced low-income households to inter-generational difference. This is evident in unequal-employment opportunities that limit such households to low incomes. Due to lack of employment in rural areas most employers exploits their workers by overworking tem and finally paying tem poorly. Thus, it is a common phenomenon for employed people in the rural areas who cannot afford basic needs including better health care. Inequality in income describes the degree of uneven distribution in income amongst the residents. Increased inequality means that a small number of people receive the total income while majority only get a very small share (Frank & Jordan, 2007, p. 16). The existence of inadequate education opportunities is signals that the economy is under performing. In Australia, there is a remarkable variation in education performance between high, middle and low-income earners (Leeman & Reid 2006).This variation is mainly due to deviation in academic resources and opportunities. This clearly shows that Australian government does not invest keenly on the education of the disadvantaged and the marginalized. Many youths from these marginalized groups are ineffective to make sound choices because they often lack the necessary knowledge on the economic returns accruing from various courses offered in higher institution of learning. They are also unable to pursue their choices of interest because of the restricted resources. On the other hand, employees are not ready to train low experienced employees because of the high training cost coupled with the risk of poaching. Hence, the education market works imperfectly to raise utility. Therefore, in my own argument, to promote the quality of life in the society the government should focus and address the education inequality issue by increasing education access to the all citizens .This is so because access to education enhances political well being of the society, as voters are able to make informed decisions and to involve themselves in political, social and community life through balance of choices. Secondly, access of education to many brings down social hostility resulting from comprehended inequalities in education and other opportunities. Finally, the government has a reason to campaign for broader access for quality education to raise the efficiency in the labor market and engagement in employment. This is because technological shift and globalization calls for well-trained and flexible labor party. This cannot happen if we confine access to education to financial considerations. Thus, I can assert that youths of same capability in school be given equal opportunity in educational institutions and in employment regardless of their family background, power or status. This is because more access to education increases the nation’s production potential per hour that raises the gross domestic product and hence the economy performs. Although the Australian government has made commendable improvements in health sector, High mortality inequalities IS evident in Australia amongst the various population sub-groups, such as mortality inequalities through sex, geographical location, economic and social disadvantage. Critical analyses of the social gradients in health with societies in Australia reveal that there are extraordinary clear health gradients across societies. This is because the life expectancy in marginalized areas is very low in comparison to the high life expectancy for the rich. From1998-2000 the mortality rate was very high for the low economic earners in Australia than it was for the rich. This gap however increases with time. The government disowned these research findings and responded with deceit. This has remained its mode of operation since then. This report also highlighted that millions of workers in Australia were in shocking social conditions due to the harm caused by the failing of the public health system. This was in agreement with the report produced by the government, which found that in the year 1998-2000 government was to save over 23000 lives by making the poor population to access the same living conditions as the rich. Also during the same period, the life expectancy of males and females was 3.9 years and 2 years respectively than the poorest. This deviation was very pronounced between male and females at any point in lifetime this gap began at birth. From this report, mortality rates were higher in social-economic disadvantaged areas, which acted as the major causes of death. Surprising enough was the slow response in the health inequality issue that speculated the broadening of the gap between the rich and the poor. Low economic earners and the marginalized could not access affordable health care and this accounted for doubling of deaths from heart diseases and cancers. The death rates reported in remote areas were significantly higher this is because they were socially-economically disadvantaged. Marginalized indigenous communities living in Australia are disadvantaged social inequality especially during their access to health care facilities. In additional their lives and well-being are generally affected by their geographical area. The research depicted Rural Aborigines as the most suppressed people in Australia because of isolation resulting to impoverishment. They had limited access to basic vital services such as education and health care. Finally, the report also established that there were high deaths with manual worker that it was for those employed in professional areas such as managerial and administrative positions. This gap was very identifiable with deaths resulting from lung cancer digestive disease, suicides and accidents. The financial status is the major determinant in the quality of health care which these marginalized groups get. In addition, lack of education contributes to poor health. Every person dreams to become a homeowner. Issues relating to housing in Australia are wanting. Higher cost of housing in urban areas as only favored privileged members of the society forcing low-income earners to live in poor housing conditions. This pressurizes people, families and communities from lower social economic backgrounds to battle for accommodation as they maintain the status quo. Such effects are evident in Australia where the rich displace low economic by buying houses in cheap housing areas (Collins & Reid 2009,). This led to a reduction in access of cheap housing in areas that used to be dwelt by low-income earners due to increased rents and house prices. This has in turn reduced admittance to vital services and employment within the city for poor people who relocate resulting to detrimental psychological impact to those who relocate. The relationship between transport inequalities in Australia and social exclusion are very evident. Lack of access to good transport facilities is one of the major factors limiting the participation of marginalized people in social and economic life. This is by posing limitations on the life opportunities of marginalized Australians. Hence, this calls for a need to address issues relating to transport inequalities. In most marginalized areas infrastructure such as roads, communication systems and public social amenities are limited (Jim 1986). The few existing are exploited or overworked hence they provide services inefficiently. Poor means transport observed in marginalized areas makes it even difficult to makes it difficult to access social amenities. This often results to demises and consequently, it makes it difficult for farmers in marginalized areas to ferry their farm produce to market in time owing to unreliable and inadequate means of transport (Flood & Berry 2007). These results to increased poverty as the reach are able to hire personal planes to ferry their farm produce, thus they are able to reap more from their efforts. Most of these marginalized groups have a great potential of improving their livelihood were it not for the poor allocation of natural resources .Efforts by the government has not emphasized assigning more resources to these marginalized groups increasing disparities between rural and urban communities. Thus, it is very clear that the government should first address social equality between the various groups in its efforts towards bridging the gap. To bridge the persistent gap and to reduce the rising inequalities between the rich and poor in Australia the government should to come up with a combination of policies and programs to deliver opportunities for the marginalized individuals. This policies should focus to empower the poor and the marginalized by involving them in economy and education (Reid 2009). These policies should also ensure the existence of a whole community model at work places. This makes remarkable change especially to community coherence and individuals well being. These policies should first focus to reform and give the necessary support to those people at risk of failing in their academic life and to those facing economic exclusion. Secondly, they should enable them to acquire resources, self-confidence and acquisitions to ensure that they do not come down such that they make a worth contribution to the society (Reid, C, Sproats, E & Singh, M 2006, 33). One way of investing in the marginalized groups is by making them to understand that they are responsible for their well-being despite the various restraints they are facing. This would arouse them to be more hygienic and in the process subdue most illnesses such the issue of access to health care. Conclusion From this essay it is very evident that economy under performs when social-economic inequalities and marginalization issue persists in a country. In Australia, this is a breach of the ‘fair go’. This essay also asserts that it is in the choice of the government to save all Australians form poverty by mobilizing all its arms. This can only be achieved by coming up with strategies to ensure fairness for all. Thus from this essay I can assert that to reduce gap and inequalities observed in societies the government should focus to increase quality of social environment including reducing the income scale and social status. Read More