Social Inequality In Australia Essay

Thus Indigenous Australians have are higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, poor school attendance, poor health, family violence and substance abuse than non-Indigenous Australia (Weatherburn, 2014).

To begin with, a clarification must be made. Although for the purposes of this assessment I will be using the term Indigenous Australians, it is not the most appropriate term to be using, as the technical definition of indigenous is ‘originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native’ (‘Indigenous’, 1987). The more correct term would be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

This burden on the Australian health system is significant and has been increasing its effects since the late 20th Century. The research project will allow for the support of the Australian society in maximising their health, potential and lifetime outcomes (Department of Industry, 2013). The lack of physical activity among adults is a national problem, on an economic scale it is consuming $1.5 billion of government funds to cope with the increased health care impacts (Cahilhac et al. 2011). On top of the economic burden, the social impacts of rising levels of health issues among the public is effecting the quality of life of thousands of Australian’s per year, resulting in as many as 2,000 deaths (Cahilhac et al. 2011). This research proposal will evaluate and uncover potential solutions to combat the problems contributing to an inactive lifestyle. It will also provide an insight Australian decision makers to assist in producing decisions regarding social and economic improvements. The research will enable the promotion of better health practices and prevent disease through a more focused and collaborative effort as guided by the national research priority

A lot of aboriginal students are now graduating high school in the past few years. But, now they seem to rank lower in education, higher rates of unemployment, along with higher rates of smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, which can lead to needing a lot more health care than the average person. (Dr. Chandrakant P. Shah. 2005, page.3)

Understanding how the historical factors have influenced Indigenous Australians helps operationalise the sociological imagination. The history of Indigenous people is important as many of the disadvantages they endure today is connected to the past. A historical awareness influences individuals to understand how organisations and institutions impact the health and wellbeing of a minority (Germov, 2002).The existence of Indigenous Australians well begins before the European invasion and colonisation of Australia. Aboriginal people were the native land owners, as they have been in Australia for over 60,000 years, prior to the British settlement in 1788.3 (workingwithindigenousaustralians.info, 2017). Indigenous Australians have been living off

For a number of years now, the woman in our society have been treated and continue to have the impression of being significantly inferior amongst their male counterparts and in almost all cases, woman of colour, in particular, are looked upon as more inferior than Caucasian women. More specifically in Canada, aboriginal people are perceived as an inferior class of people and in this case, aboriginal women are the most inferior amongst the inferior class (Halseth, 2013). These types of discrimination and obstacles have lead to multiple health-related issues that prevents aboriginal women from prospering in their communities which is an apparent link to their social determinants. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),

Over the last two decades the Australian population has faced a number of economic instabilities that has seen the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ increase. To determine who the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ are an in-depth investigation will be performed examining the circumstances under which the gap can be manipulated. The economic wellbeing of individuals is largely determined by their command over economic resources (ABS, 2009). The wellbeing of individuals who are classified as ‘haves’ are usually people who are asset rich, contain bonds, shares and are fairly affluent. The wellbeing of individuals who are classified as ‘have nots’ are usually the working poor, who have little assets and little investments i.e. bonds. These

     Many of the inequalities in the health of the Aboriginal people can be attributed to the

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major health problem that most of the countries are facing today and one of such countries is Australia. It is estimated that about 1 million of Australian population is affected by cardiovascular diseases and is among the leading cause of death in Australia ("Department of Health | Cardiovascular disease", 2016). It is also observed that the Aboriginal population of Australia is more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than other Australians ("Department of Health | Cardiovascular disease", 2016). In order to examine the health issue such as cardiovascular disease among Aboriginal men and women using social

Colonialism in Australia places a detrimental threat to the health of Indigenous Australians. Inherent in colonialism were scientific racisms, institutional racism and structural violence. These factors continues to persist in the fabric of Australian society today and limits the life chances of Indigenous Australians. This essay illuminates colonialism as a major contributor to the social marginalisation and low socioeconomic status experienced by indigenous Australian. An analysis of Aboriginal infant mortality rate, a health indicator highlights the difference between biomedical and sociological approach and the embedded negative impact of social marginalisation and low socioeconomic status on the health of Indigenous Australians. The

Australian government today recognises that educational policies regarding Aboriginal people cannot be made without considering social and economic policies aimed at improving outcomes for Aboriginal communities in general (TICHR, 2006). Main contemporary issues facing Aboriginal communities are proving land ownership, remoteness, health status, education and employment status and social attitude of Non-Aboriginal population towards the Aboriginal communities (Challenges facing the Indigenous communities today, n.d.). Tackling this issue is not a simple task: the document “National Indigenous Reform Agreement” (2010) which aims to improve outcomes for all Indigenous Australians recognizes that this process needs approach from different aspects, taking into account “seven key building blocks: Early Childhood, Schooling, Health, Economic Participation, Healthy Homes, Safe Communities, and Governance and Leadership” (as cited in DET Queensland,

Western women have traditionally been perceived as the inferior sex, or the domestic partner, subjected wholly to the private sphere, and stripped of legal rights and standing. Meanwhile, men are depicted as the breadwinner, the strong, masculine and dominant partner, who belongs primarily to the public sphere. These historic gender norms have been deeply imbedded within Australia’s social foundation, and although society has gradually shifted away from these roles, evidence suggests that this gender inequality still riddles the modern day workplace. Liberal feminist groups have embraced this issue, and have classified it as being a true barrier to achieving the ultimate gender equality goal. Consequently, these liberal feminists along

Indigenous Australians have a shorter life expectancy, higher rates of infant mortality, poorer health and lower levels of education and employment than any other ethnic group in Australia

Social inequality is a problematic phenomenon that occurs all around the world and affects both the developed and developing nations. It is defined as “the unequal distribution of social, political and economic resources within a social collective” (van Krieken et al. 2013, p. 205). Inequality is closely connected with social stratification, a system of social hierarchy that positions individuals and groups into categories according to social variables such as class or ethnicity (van Krieken et al. 2013, p. 485). This stratification has a significant impact on the opportunity that an individual may have to move up the hierarchy of inequality (Gill 2017a).

Aboriginal communities also face significantly higher incarceration rates, higher rates of HIV infection, and higher suicide rates amongst young adults and youth when compared to their non-Aboriginal counterparts (Gray, 2011). Violent sexual assault rates for Aboriginal women and girls are nearly three times that of non-Aboriginals and statistics on food security for Aboriginals living both on and off reserve land suggest that a startling 83% of individuals go without adequate nutrition, with Aboriginal children suffering disproportionately from malnutrition and other nutrition related health problems (Gray, 2011). Unfortunately, it is Aboriginal children and youth under the age of 14 who are particularly at-risk for nearly all areas of social deficit in Canada (Meissner,