Social_Inequality

Does Social Inequality Matter' Australia is a society characterized by ethnic inequality, like many nations Australia’s history is shaped around racism and social inequalities. Social inequality occurs when groups in societies do not have the same social status and are treated differently due to their ethnicity. An ethnic group is composed of people whose perceived cultural markers are deemed socially significant. Ethnic groups differ from one another in terms of language, religion, customs, values and ancestors [1] This essay will explain the affects that inequality can have on individuals, on the Australian society and how people of ethnic backgrounds are perceived, for example how Indigenous people are now stereotyped after the events of the “Stolen Generation” and also how migrants struggle to assimilate to Australia. Australia’s first federal Department of Immigration was established in 1945. Since then, almost six million migrants, including over 645 000 refugees, have settled in the country[2]. Australia is known as the “multicultural” country yet not everyone is being treated equal and are being discriminated against because of their ethnicity “We are all part of a society which is denying basic rights and freedoms to some of its members on the grounds of colour, ethnicity, or national origin.” [3]The effects of inequality can have a major impact on individuals of ethnic backgrounds. Although they have made the change to leave their familiar territory and move to another country, they face a detachment or division in their new country, not knowing where they exactly fit in. The migrants that enter Australia generally are poorer, less educated, cannot speak English. The migrants and non Australians are working in poor conditions often working longer hours and for lower salaries, living in commission houses and facing the day to day degradation of Australians looking at them with their judging eyes. Not only does the immigrant have to assimilate into the new society and face a daunting new culture, but the immigrant may be feeling alienated in their new society and as if they are losing their cultural identity and values. Migrants are expected to conform to the new society until they are accepted. For example “Ethnic community cohesion and cultural difference were frowned upon. With assimilation in their case believed to be relatively easy, given a common European racial and cultural heritage, the character and identity of Australia and Australians was not at stake” [4] The flow of migrants into Australia is an ongoing problem that doesn’t seem to be getting fixed anytime soon. The horror of detention camps and illegal immigrants coming into the country is overwhelming. There is constant debate in the media about the growing population in the media and the affects it has on Australia, “Not everyone thinks bigger is better. There are worries the environment won't be able to support so many people; that we might run out of water or not have enough land to grow the food we need.” [5]But migrants continue to play important roles in terms of population and workforce growth, and in contributing to our culture and society in many ways. “More people means more businesses, more buying and selling and building and that keeps the economy growing.”[6] Although the government is trying to make the assimilation process easier by funding services for immigrants for example ethnic radio, grants to ethnic schools, anti-discrimination tribunals, advisory committees, community language teaching and inter-faith dialogues, the individual may still feel alienated by the Australian people. Social inequality in relation to ethnicity affects our society in a number of ways. Bias and stereotypes have been passed down from generation to generation to give the people of today ideas of other ethnicities and backgrounds and thus continue the discrimination toward ethnic groups. “This moral panic has reinforced negative stereotypes about minority communities, is reinvigorating racism and prejudice and, as a consequence, is threatening the social cohesion in one of the world’s most successful multicultural societies” [7]Migrants coming from a low socio background can be linked to crime rate and violence. The pressure from superior “white” Australians on ethnics can have a profound affect on their pride, and influence the migrant to go to extreme lengths to be seen as equal. “Racism is a barrier to our achieving the goals of our freedom and equality, and generates divisions and tensions within our society which are expressed through violence, poverty and degradation.” [8] Australia’s history is based on inequality. One of the major examples of this is the “Stolen Generation.” The “Stolen Generation” was the forced removal of Aboriginal children in early 1900’s. One victim asks “Why me; why was I taken' It’s like a hole in your heart that can never heal”[9] The removal of aboriginal children and the racism aboriginals faced is still profound in their culture today. Because of the events of history, aboriginals have not been able to recover and a strong bias has been made toward them. “The new disease, the alcohol and the new pressures of living were all introduced. True acknowledgment cannot stop short of recognition of the extent to which present disadvantage flows from injustice and oppression…” [10]The events of the Stolen Generation have caused problems today for aboriginal housing, employment, education, health, land rights and imprisonment, thus creating a typical stereotype among white Australians that aborigines are “dole bludgers” or “lazy.” These racist attitudes are still strong within Australian society when reported in 1994 that the spokesman from the National Party in Queensland disapproved Aborigines for living in a tourism hotspot like the Gold coast[11]. The healing of aborigines and their culture could not begin until their pain was recognised “it is apparent that recognition of the need for appropriate redress for present disadvantage flowing from past injustice and oppression is a prerequisite of reconciliation.” [12] A National “Sorry” Day was held on February 13th 2008 where Kevin Rudd presented an apology to all Indigenous Australians. “We apologize especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. “For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.”[13] The “Stolen” generation in Australia is just an example of the many horrors humans have faced due to their ethnicity. The anguish migrants and ethnic people have faced due to being “different” in Australian society has a major impact on Australia and the migrant individually. The anxiety to assimilate to Australian “standards” despite services can be daunting and alienating for the individual. Inequality matters not only for individuals suffering but also for the whole of Australia, the treatment of people due to their ethnicity can have a profound affect on our nation and until everyone is treated equally despite their ethnicity Australia cannot grow and develop into a greater country. ----------------------- [1] Fruze. B and Savy,P and Brym,R and Lie, John. Sociology In Todays World 1st ed. Australia: Cengage Wadsworth, 2005, pp 365 [2] Millbank.A and Phillips. J and Bohm. C. Australia’s settlement services for refugees and migrants (2006) Retrieved 13th May from http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/sp/settlement.htm [3] Mcconnochie.K and Hollinsworth.D and Pettman. J. Race and Racism in Australia 1st ed. Australia: Social Science Press, 1988, pp 2 [4] Docker. J and Fischer. G. Race, Colour and Identity in Australia and New Zealand 1st ed. Printer Griffin Press. 2000. Pp 26 [5] Larsen.S. Population Debate (2009) Retrieved 12th May from http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2876851.htm< [6] Rudd.K. Population Debate (2009) Retrieved 12th May from http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2876851.htm< [7] Collins.J. Ethnic Minorities and Crime in Australia (2005) Retrieved 12th May 2010 from http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/publications/Seminar/Ethnic_Minorities_and_Crime.pdf [8] Mcconnochie.K and Hollinsworth.D and Pettman. J. Race and Racism in Australia 1st ed. Australia: Social Science Press, 1988, pp 1 [9] Lavarch.M. Bringing Them Home. 1st ed. Australia: Sterling Press.Ltd. 1997, pp177 [10] Lavarch.M. Bringing Them Home. 1st ed. Australia: Sterling Press.Ltd. 1997, pp4 [11] Ling.E (1997) Social Inequality in Australia. Retrieved May 11th from http://www.angelfire.com/in/roachworld/Aus3.html [12] Lavarch.M. Bringing Them Home. 1st ed. Australia: Sterling Press.Ltd. 1997, pp4 [13] Rudd.K (2008) The words Rudd will use to say 'sorry', Retrieved 14th May 2010 from http://www.abc.net.au/canberra/stories/s2160871.htm