The Importance Of Social Cohesion

Australia’s greatest aspects are its embracement of cultural diversity and the embracement of customs and cultural differences. But are we really an accepting country?

Unfortunately, many migrants that come to Australia find themselves in this situation, struggling to feel included and comfortable with their changing identities. However, these differences make it harder to belong to one group; they can also strengthen bonds with one another. The most immediate and obvious indicator of difference with migrant is that of

Stan Grant’s speech ‘Racism and the Australian Dream’ (2015) effectively reminds the Australian population of the racism and harsh inequalities indigenous Australians have faced in the past and still face today. In reminding us of this reality, Grant engages us to discover issues of civic participation in Aboriginal people and in doing so perpetuates a need for social change. More?

The Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment, Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures Bill 2017, introduced by Mr Peter Dutton, minister for Immigration and Border Protection proposed to reform the requirements of citizenship. The bill incorporates a number of integrity measures to ensure migrants are capable of upholding Australian values and subsequently, prepared to be full, active members in Australian society. To maintain social cohesion and facilitate social progression, the bill suggests stricter application requirements, fundamental to determine whether an individual acquires Australian values measured through new imposed testing. Currently, Australia is a combination of diverse cultures, religions and consequently, it is considerably difficult to define the values of Australian citizens as a whole. Therefore, the underlying motives of the Australian Citizenship Bill 2017 are highly controversial.

The concept of being a ‘nation of immigrants’ is at the center of Australian identity.

We 're all Australians, regardless of our ethnic background, political and religious beliefs (NSW Department of Education, 2015).

Present day Australia is met with the issue of outlining a sense of a nationwide community, after the breakdown of the British race patriot idea in the mid-1960s with the introduction of multiculturalism. The Euro-centric perception of Australia was annulled and it was incapable in playing a significant part in Australian policies and priorities. It triggered a calamity of national identity and meaning. The credence that Australian’s were apart of Britain, united by history, tradition and blood needed to be revised. A people who had recognized themselves so strongly with the British race now had to accede their race awareness and apprehend the notion of being a now multicultural society. The dawn of multiculturalism also provoked a quandary for balancing a respect of the British heritage with the abating relevance of the British connection and to construct a new language of community from the residues of the old British ways.

Reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003a, 2003b, as cited in Ashman & Elkins, 2009, p. 7) show 25% of the Australian population is currently made up of migrants from around 200 countries. This fact demonstrates Australia, on the whole, has a tolerant and inclusive society. A society can be identified as a collection of people who live together in a relatively ordered community (Ashman & Elkins, 2009, p. 7). It could be said, Australia has one of the most inclusive societies on the planet; however, this was not always the case.

This article gives the reader an inequitable view of Indigenous Australians, defending Tony Abbot’s point of view and the audience is encouraged to agree with mainstream media in regards to whether or not Tony Abbott is racist. Article B from the Koori Mail condemns Tony Abbott’s viewpoint as not only racist but he is insulting the very culture that he is representing. Article B states that Tony Abbott does not understand Indigenous culture and how important land is to them “Connection to country is everything to Aboriginal people – defines Aboriginal people and sustains us in a cultural and spiritual sense and can play a vital role in building economic independence, self-determination and healing” (Greg Cromelin, Article B). With Article B the audience is encouraged to get angry at Tony Abbott’s comments and make him out to be racist.

The third ingredient of the social structure theory is the Culture Conflict Theory. This theory is also known as the cultural deviance theory. This can be defined as the “social clash” between the different social groups when looking at what is described as acceptable and proper behavior. Two types of culture conflicts exists; the primary conflict and the secondary conflict. The primary conflict is regarded as the clash between cultures while the secondary conflict takes place when values of smaller cultures belonging to a larger culture clash.

6). The Diversity and Equity policy (DET 2013) was created to respond to the growingly diverse Victorian Community. Many Victorians face issues of racism and bullying and due to cultural and religious backgrounds, as well as socio-economic status, many do not experience equal or equitable opportunities. This is due to the emergence of our society as neo-liberal. Neo-liberalism means that ‘the agenda of economic and social transformation’ (Connell, 2013, p. 99) has moved from public agencies to ‘companies selling services in a market.’ A society modelled under neo-liberalism is skewed to support those with money and privilege, a majority of which, in Australian society, are middle class Anglo-Australians. As a result, the issues of equity and diversity within a neo-liberal society leave those affected at a marked disadvantage in comparison to the majority of Australians. The Diversity and Equity policy (DET 2013) is an attempt to improve the disadvantage experienced by the

Australia has always been centered around diversity and change, specifically with the vast multiculturalism and migrant culture throughout the nation. The specifics of Identity hold an important role in shaping our identity as students and as a nation. Australians pride themselves on being a land of the free and full of diverse culture. This is specifically referred to in our national Anthem; “For those who've come across the seas, We've boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine,”(McCormick, 1984). Displaying Australia’s open attitude towards immigrants and contributes to the diversity present within our society today. Even before this, much of Australia’s Identity was associated with caucasian culture (Originating from British Settlers). Which is the dominant perception of Australia through the media with australian representation being present through the stereotypes of Bogans, which was made popular through shows like Kath and Kim (ABC, 2007). Also, represented through the popular depiction of Australian people - the bushman made popular by movies like Crocodile Dundee (Faiman, 1986) and through famous real life bushman; Steve Irwin. An important aspect of Australian identity which is consistently neglected is the culture and representation of the initial owners of the land; the aboriginal people. Throughout history the constant mistreatment and neglect of the indigenous, has lead to a massive gap in privilege between the aboriginal people and our

When there are various ethnic groups within a community often, they find it difficult to co-exist due to the difference in their culture. In those communities, part of what made them places of identity and empowerment were elements of ethnic solidarity. "Aspects of religion,

Individuals create friendships, bonds, and relationships in society to strengthen not only that individual’s social cohesion, but the social cohesion of the collective community. Social cohesion is used to maintain the structure and integrity of a society. There are many aspects of society which draw individuals and groups, either closer, or further away from other individuals or groups. However, many times social cohesion depends heavily on the act of inclusion and exclusion of certain individuals from a given society or community. Exclusion or inclusion depends greatly on financial status and resources an individual has. In recent years researchers have seen variant decreases in social cohesion, and have seen governments take action in order to prevent the downfall. In general, social cohesion is created through means of communication amongst a society, along with the relationships, connections, and bonds formed within the society (Berger-Schmitt, 2002, p. 405).

There are many different ideas about humanity and how it works and what things make it work the best. There are some sociology theorist have a more positive view on humanity and believe that humanity works best when people have relationships and more human interaction thus creating society and its regulations as we know them. There are many benefits of social cohesion, but there are also downfalls of this as well according to some theorist and these are referred to as social control. Social cohesion is when those in a social system identify with it and feel bound to support it, especially its norms, beliefs, and values. Social control is how a community or society regulates a person’s behavior. Ultimately, the benefits of social cohesion outweigh the dangers of social control. Without the benefits of social cohesion, the dangers of social control would be intensified because of the lack thereof.