Category: Equality

Background

Globally, women’s overall wellness is compromised by healthcare systems that perpetuate considerable discrimination against them. Diagnosis and treatment modalities are based on male-oriented norms and gender stereotypes that relegate women’s health interests and maintain inequalities. The four lenses of social sciences, history, humanities, and natural and applied sciences, provide insightful perspectives and diverse aspects, which enhance the understanding of women’s wellness issues. For instance, the social science dimension illuminates how human relationships influence women’s perception of well-being, while the natural and applied sciences prism elucidates their likelihood of embracing new technology to improve their health. These personal choices and individual lifestyles ultimately shape how society interprets wellness due to social interdependencies and connections. In this regard, the four lenses offer in-depth viewpoints, which cumulatively enhance the understanding and discernment of women’s equality issues in their overall wellness in modern societies.

The Lens of History

Women’s equality ranks among the prominent contemporary issues in wellness and influences multiple dimensions of modern feminine practices and habits. Notably, an enhanced understanding of this concept can be obtained by viewing the concept of well-being through a historical lens. According to Shai et al. (2021), a significant proportion of modern women’s wellness practices are influenced by dominant historical experiences, which continue to shape multiple aspects of healthcare. For instance, in previous decades, materials such as artifacts, magazines, newspapers, books, photographs, and diaries elevated slimness as the ideal body for women. This attribute has been idealized and contributes significantly to the stigmatization of some body shapes and overweight in women (Palmeira et al., 2020). Consequently, the historical emphasis on slenderness as the ideal body shape for women continues to influence modern feminine practices, compelling them to embrace habits designed to enhance weight loss. However, men do not experience these stereotypes, stigma, and negative body perceptions due to the historical absence of emphasis on masculine body shape and weight issues.

Additionally, traditional societies were fundamentally patriarchal, and health practices were conceived and practiced for the benefit of men. Consequently, the healthcare system continues to perpetuate discrimination against women. For instance, gender biases are prevalent in diagnosis and treatment, primarily based on male-centered research. This implies that, historically, female subjects have been excluded from numerous biomedical studies (Bierer et al., 2022). According to Cottingham and Fisher (2020), females are underrepresented in the testing of investigational drugs and other clinical trials. These biases exacerbate inequalities in women’s health and wellness and increase the likelihood of misdiagnosis and adverse health outcomes (Steinberg et al., 2021). In this regard, this historical lens provides insightful perspectives on the foundations of inequalities and gender biases, which continue to impact women’s wellness.

The Lens of Social Science

The social science lens interrogates how people’s behaviors are shaped by the social environment in which they inhabit. Across many societies, cultural norms, ideals, and conditions are embedded with notions that continue to perpetuate gendered inequalities, which disadvantage women on various issues, including wellness. Helse et al. (2019) contend that cultural practices impede the improvement of women’s wellness, particularly regarding their reproductive health. For instance, in predominantly patriarchal societies where women have limited levels of autonomy, men hold leverage over decision-making, directly or indirectly influencing the extent to which women access and utilize healthcare services. According to Mochache et al. (2020), these sociocultural contexts with gendered value systems also determine when women’s healthcare needs deserve medical attention. Kapoor and McKinnon (2021) note that menopause, maternity, and menstruation issues are considered taboo in many societies. For instance, cultural biases and prejudices negatively affect the uptake of iron and other critical nutritional supplements at the onset of menstruation.

Additionally, such traditional cultural practices and norms as son preference are deeply entrenched in many societies. These phenomena have significant health implications for girls and women, which limit the realization of equitable wellness in society. According to Le and Nguyen (2022), these societal preferences ultimately shape the health disparities between sons and daughters in early childhood and men and women in adulthood. For instance, Banerjee and Chatterjee (2021) contend that these perspectives undermine the ability of women to enjoy their reproductive health rights since they are forced to continue childbearing until they give birth to a boy. In such societies, women’s reproductive options are limited and undermined by traditions and norms held by society. In this regard, the lens of social sciences provides insights into how society and traditional practices affect women’s wellness and perpetuate health inequality.

The Lens of Natural and Applied Sciences

The lens of natural sciences departs significantly from the other perspectives and introduces unique insights into the application and adoption of modern approaches that enhance the quality of life. Notably, this perspective uses scientific knowledge and processes as a strategy for achieving a defined practical outcome. A significant proportion of these approaches are based on gendered frameworks, which entrench gender inequalities against women. For instance, biased and exclusive scientific processes reinforce gendered identities and stereotypes, which constrain the behaviors of women through a mechanism that perpetuates inequality in wellness. According to Poczatkova and Kribikova (2017), the underrepresentation of women, particularly in the fields of science and research, is reproduced in the outcomes of the findings of studies and the subsequent applicability. This implies that the gender conceptions formed by societies and cultures are replicated implicitly or explicitly in scientific studies. Consequently, the application of the findings obtained from those surveys reproduces gender inequalities in wellness. This implies that the outcomes of those surveys generate male-oriented developments, which subsequently influence self-seeking behaviors among men and women.

Moreover, the fields of medicine, science, and technology are male-dominated, and the outputs of these sectors reflect gendered perceptions. Denend et al. (2020) argue that these perspectives ultimately impact such other aspects of wellness as the acceptance of medical technology and devices. From this perspective, the lens of natural and applied science provides insights regarding the prevalence of gender disparities in women’s wellness. Notably, these disparities compromise the overall well-being and health of women since they are developed by men and based on male-oriented studies, which ignore the anatomical and physiological differences between men and women. As a result, these technological and scientific findings continue to advance and entrench perceptions and notions, which impede the overall wellness of women.

The Lens of Humanity

The lens of humanity explores the distinctive aspects of human behaviors and actions. An exploration of women’s habits and practices illustrate how these tendencies continue to undermine their overall wellness. For instance, multiple studies indicate that women work for longer hours and experience adverse burnout effects compared to men. Similarly, the societal expectations of women impose a heavier burden on them than on their male counterparts. Notably, women and men also define their healthy work and actions differently. For instance, women apportion significant emphasis on issues with a relatively higher impact on their well-being compared to men. Consequently, females experience such frequent internalizing disorders as depression and psychological distress (Matud et al., 2019). From this dimension, using the humanities lens provides in-depth perspectives on specific work behaviors and actions, which expose women to poorer health outcomes than men.

Additionally, wellness inequalities, as viewed through the lens of humanities, can be explained by systemic disparities in education and vocational training. The gendered dimensions in these systems reinforce biases and segregation, which adversely affect the overall well-being of women. Further, the disparities are reproduced in other workplace aspects, including promotion, wage differentials, and mental health consequences. For instance, Rosemberg & Gallagher (2022) and Bilodeau et al. (2020) contend that these gender-based differences are associated with such outcomes as heightened economic insecurity, reduced access to critical services, and more exposure to work-to-family conflicts. As a result, the overall health status of women is compromised by these disparities, increasing their susceptibility to mental health problems. From this perspective, the lens of humanities offers an in-depth outlook, which enhances the understanding of the poorer wellness outcomes among women than men.

Integrating the Four Lenses and the Impact on the Professional and Personal Context

The four lenses of history, natural and applied sciences, social sciences, and humanities play an integral role in enriching the understanding of wellness from multiple dimensions. The diverse viewpoints and unique perspectives offered by each of the lenses enhance the development of a holistic view. The combined insights are fundamental in creating a new approach to viewing the problem and formulating comprehensive solutions. For instance, the lens of history illuminates the background and explains the cultural and historical bases of a particular behavior. Similarly, the lens of social sciences provides the context in which a given problem exists. For instance, a healthcare practitioner obtains in-depth insights and background information to provide contextually and culturally competent care.

Additionally, the four lenses impact the professional and personal context of practitioners by enriching their understanding of society, culture, and traditions. They also facilitate the development of new and innovative approaches to healthcare and wellness management by allowing professionals to learn about the past and utilize such knowledge to understand the present. These lenses provide the essential tools and instruments that deepen the professional and personal practice.

How Social Practices have been Shaped by Issues and Events in Wellness in Modern Culture

Wellness and social practices are interconnected loops that influence each other in forward and backward patterns. From this perspective, modern cultures have significantly influenced social practices by promoting the adoption and application of beneficial health practices. Similarly, modern culture has challenged some social conventions, resulting in the widespread embrace of such practices as workplace equality.

Benefits and Challenges of Addressing Issues in Wellness

Addressing issues in wellness is characterized by multiple benefits and challenges. Among the benefits is empowering people to make more healthy choices, discard unhealthy practices, and disregard detrimental societal practices. Ultimately, these benefits reduce the disease burden and improve the overall wellness of communities. However, addressing issues in wellness is also challenging since it encompasses questioning traditionally held practices. Moreover, people may be reluctant to embrace the newly developed perspectives, which depart from their historically established norms.

How Analyzing Wellness Help Interactions with People of Different Cultures, Viewpoint, and Perspective

Analyzing wellness issues provides diverse insights and knowledge, which are critical in dispelling negative stereotypes and biases about different groups. Additionally, it broadens horizons and deepens people’s ability to have meaningful interactions with others, which ultimately promotes social cohesion. In healthcare practice, these different viewpoints, cultures, and perspectives encourage the acknowledgment and acceptance of diverse behaviors and habits, which is essential in the provision of culturally competent care.

References

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Bierer, B., Meloney, L., Ahmed, H., & White, S. (2022). Advancing the inclusion of underrepresented women in clinical research.Cell Reports Medicine, 3, 1-5. Web.

Bilodeau, J., Marchand, A., & Demers, A. (2020). Psychological distress inequality between employed men and women: A gendered exposure model. SSM – Population Health, 11, 1-8. Web.

Cottingham, M., & Fisher, J. (2020). Gendered logics of biomedical research: Women in U.S. Phase I clinical trials.Social Problems, 1-18. Web.

Denend, L., McCutcheon, S., Regan, M., Sainz, M., Yock, P., & Azagury, D. (2020). Analysis of gender perceptions in health technology: A call to action. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 48(5), 1573–1586. Web.

Kapoor, A., & McKinnon, M. (2021). The elephant in the room: Tackling taboos in women’s healthcare. Journal of Science Communication, 20(1), 1-10. Web.

Le, K., & Nguyen, M. (2022). Son preference and health disparities in developing countries.SSM – Population Health, 17, 1-9. Web.

Mochache, V., Wanje, G., Nyagah, L., Lakhani, A., El-Busaidy, H., Temmerman, M., & Gichangi, P. (2020). Religious, socio-cultural norms and gender stereotypes influence uptake and utilization of maternal health services among the Digo community in Kwale, Kenya: A qualitative study.Reproductive Health, 17(71), 1-10. Web.

Matud, M. P., López-Curbelo, M., & Fortes, D. (2019). Gender and psychological wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 1-11. Web.

Poczatkova, B., & Kribikova, P. (2017). Gender inequality in the field of science and research. Journal of International Studies, 10(1), 267-276. Web.

Palmeira, C., Santos, L., Silva, S., & Mussi, F. (2020). Stigma perceived by overweight women.Revista Brasileira De Enfermagem, 73(suppl 4), 1-9. Web.

Rosemberg, M. A., & Gallagher, S. (2022). Infected versus affected: Gender disparity and the service industry workforce during Covid-19. Workplace Health & Safety, 70(1), 50, Web.

Shai, A., Koffler, S., & Hashiloni-Dolev, Y. (2021). Feminism, gender medicine and beyond: A feminist analysis of “gender medicine”.International Journal for Equity in Health, 20, 1-11. Web.

Steinberg, J., Turner, B., Weeks, B., Magnani, C., Wong, B., & Rodriguez, F. et al. (2021). Analysis of female enrolment and participant sex by burden of disease in US clinical trials between 2000 and 2020. JAMA Network Open, 4(6), 1-13. Web.

Introduction

During the course of recent decades, the promoters of the concept of welfare state in Western countries have largely succeeded in convincing many citizens that they are being automatically entitled to a variety of social services by the mere fact of their existence. According to them, it is the responsibility of society as a whole, to make sure that all of its members enjoy an access to free Medicare, that they never have to struggle with trying to satisfy their basic physiological needs, and that their children are being given a chance to obtain a good education, at the expense of a state. The conceptual essence of this idea has been articulated in Richard Titmuss’s book “Commitment to welfare” with utter frankness: “The rights of the consumer to certain services are irrespective of their morals and patterns of behavior” (Titmuss 1976, p. 81). Throughout his career as a social researcher, Titmuss continued to promote the idea that the proper functioning of a modern state should not be discussed in terms of geopolitics, but rater in terms of sociology.

Discussion

Unlike classical theorists of a statehood before him, such as Thomas Hobbs, Titmuss believed that the idea of social fairness should not only correspond to citizens’ ability to enjoy equal opportunities of socio-economic advancement, but that they should not even be required to strive towards attaining social prominence, in order to be able to enjoy high standards of living. According to Titmuss, the realities of 20^th century’s living in Western countries were defined by the fact that, unlike what it used to be the case, during course of earlier centuries, the amount of socially generated wealth in these countries increased in exponential progression to the flow of time. Moreover, this process has been closely followed by a dramatic increase of social awareness among society’s members. For example; whereas, in late 19^th century’s Britain, the idea of social fairness had only been shared by comparatively few citizens, closely affiliated with Marxist agenda, in late 20^th century this was no longer the case. Throughout the second half of this century, more and more citizens were coming to realization that there was no logical explanation to the fact that, despite Britain being considered as one of the richest countries in the world, a substantial number of country’s citizens continued to experience a hard time, while trying to meet ends.

Therefore, the ideological premise, upon which Titmuss had based his theories, can be referred to as being simply a sublimation of poor people’s anxieties in regards to the issue of poverty. As practice shows, there are virtually no socially underprivileged citizens, who would be willing to admit that their low social status serves as an economic reflection of their existential inadequateness – it is always somebody else’s fault. As Titmuss had put it in his article “Social administration in a changing society”: “The problem of poverty is not a problem of individual character and its waywardness, but a problem of economic and industrial organization. It had to be studied first at its sources, and only secondly in its manifestation” (Titmuss 1951, p. 186). In its turn, such his assumption had brought Titmuss to conceptualize the idea of a welfare state as the only acceptable form of social organization. In his other article “The welfare state: Images and realities”, Titmuss cites Gunnar Myrdal’s definition of a welfare state as being nothing short of a paradise of Earth: “The State, in all the rich countries in the Western world, has become a democratic Welfare State, with fairly explicit commitments to the broad goals of economic development, full employment, equality of opportunity for the young, social security, and protected minimum standards as regards not only income, but nutrition, housing, health, and education for people of all regions and social groups” (Titmuss 1963, p. 4). As it appears to form this article’s context, Titmuss fully agreed with such a definition. However, given definition’s utterly utopic sounding, Titmuss had rightly concluded that institutionalization of a welfare state cannot occur naturally, while coming up with a suggestion that, in order for citizens to be able to realize their full existential potential without experiencing socially constructed limitations, equality must be forcibly imposed upon them by the mean of governmental intervention. Therefore, the fact that in modern Western states governmental bureaucracy continues to expand the range of its social, economic and social responsibilities is being considered by Titmuss as something utterly beneficial to these states’ well-being: “In all Western countries the state intervenes, regulates, and directs to a far larger extent than in the past. It does so for many public purposes and uses a variety of methods: budgetary, credit, fiscal, and other controls for maintaining the balance and full working of the economy” (Titmuss 1963, p. 5). Such Titmuss’s stance of the issue is absolutely explainable – apparently, the author was able to rightly conclude that there are no independently existing preconditions for the establishment of a welfare state. However, such his conclusion also accounted for numerous logical fallacies, contained in Titmuss’ discussions as to how government should proceed with enforcing social fairness within a particular society.

For example, in his article “The welfare complex in changing society”, Titmuss suggests that providing disadvantaged members of society with health services should serve a purpose of helping these people to restore their health: “The accepted purpose of the health service is to treat the individual who has some malfunction in such manner as to restore him to health, and that must involve the individual’s mental, emotional and social functions as well as his physical functions” (Titmuss 1967, p. 11). Yet, in the very same article, author implies that it is namely citizens affected by genetically-based diseases, who should be able to benefit from having an access to affordable Medicare more then anybody else: “This blurring of the hitherto sharp lines of demarcation between home care and institutional care, between physical disability and mental disability, between educationally backward children and so-called “delinquent” children, and between health needs and welfare needs, is all part of a general movement toward more effective service for the public”(Titmuss 1967, p. 11). Given the fact that people’s severe mental disabilities are being biologically predetermined, they cannot be addressed socially (unless social policies in regards to the issue are being concerned with sterilization) – apparently, such an idea had never occurred to Titmuss.

Had Titmuss been a Christian moralist, such his stance on the issue would have made sense. Yet, he never ceased positioning himself as a social scientist, without being able to draw a line between the concepts of solidarity and charity, simply because; whereas, the concept of solidarity implies purposefulness, the concept of charity can be discussed as anything but as such that relates to the notion of purposefulness.

This explains the fact that, even those critics who favor Titmuss’s promotion of the concept of welfare state, would never refer to his works as representing an objective academic value. In his article “Richard Titmuss”, T. Marshall states: “One must ask whether the altruistic gift or service is necessarily voluntary and unpaid; whether the professional social worker of today is less altruistic than the voluntary social worker of the past… Titmuss was certainly aware of these issues. But whenever he broached them he referred back to his facts and found them inadequate to sustain his argument… So what he (Titmuss) gave us was a moving and convincing declaration of faith, and a rich store of ideas for future research” (Marshall 1973, p. 139). If an individual bases his supposedly scientific theories on “faith”, it automatically deprives these theories of an academic soundness. Had Titmuss possessed a basic knowledge of physics, biology and history, he would know that the concept of a welfare state can never be realized in practice, because if being practically implemented, it would eventually destroy the economy of such a state – the history of socialist movements in 20^th century fully substantiates the validity of this suggestion.

There can be no doubt that Titmuss was absolutely sincere, while promoting the concept of social fairness, but there can be also no doubt that he remained utterly incompetent, while pursuing with such his agenda. For example, in the article “The welfare state: Images and realities”, from which we have already quoted, Titmuss strived to distance the concept of welfare state from the political doctrine of Communism, without being able to realize that it was namely in the Soviet Union, where implementation of a welfare state concept had been brought to its logical conclusion: “The welfare state has evolved as a particular manifestation of Western democratic societies. The Communists disdain it, perhaps because Stalin regarded equality as a bourgeois prejudice (!)” (Titmuss 1963, p. 2). This statement alone points out as Titmuss as someone who simply lacked education, because if it was not the case, he would know that in Stalin’s USSR, people were even forbidden to wear colorful clothing – all for the sake of equality. What was the ultimate reason for the collapse of Soviet Union? It is the fact that such collapse has been predetermined by the very abbreviation of USSR (Union of Socialist Republics), because the doctrine of social egalitarianism transgresses the laws of nature in most blatant manner. Let us explain this suggestion at length.

The reason why universe exists in the first place is that its energy is being unequally distributed throughout universe’s entirety. Therefore, it is namely the differentiation in energetic potentials, which makes life possible. According to the Second Law of Thermo Dynamics, the amount of entropy in the universe is geometrically proportionate the degree of energy’s dissipation throughout the cosmos. Given the fact that human societies are essentially material, The Second Law of Thermo Dynamics applies to them as well. In human societies, energetic differentiation is being defined by the lack of resources (inequality), experienced by its members, which serves as the primary force behind civilizational progress.

On the other hand, the ultimate goal of a welfare state is to equally distribute resources between society’s members, due to considerations of fairness – when this happens, the continuous social, cultural and scientific progress in such state becomes impossible, simply because the notion of equality is synonymous to the notion of energetic death. In truly fair society, people will be totally deprived of a stimulus to indulge in socially-productive activities. After all, those unwilling to work would still be able to enjoy comfortable living – the government will take care of them by forcing employed taxpayers to simply share the riches with “underprivileged” social parasites. This is exactly what Titmuss’s ideas are all about in the nutshell.

Throughout the course of his life, Titmuss never ceased promoting an idea that citizens’ ability to have an access to a variety of social services should be thought of as their right. Moreover, this British sociologist had repeatedly suggested that it was up to the government to redistribute nation’s wealth among the citizens. Unfortunately, Titmuss’s theories do not provide us with the answer as to what is going to prevent governmental bureaucrats, in charge of redistributing wealth, from being temped to abuse their executive powers, while on the line of duty.

Apparently, Titmuss seriously believed that such vaguely defined concept as altruism must serve as metaphysical foundation, upon which the process of designing socio-political policies in Britain should have been based. Yet, as we have pointed out earlier – one’s belief is one thing, but the reality is another.

It appears that history had not taught anything the contemporary promoters of equality – just as it was the case with their ideological predecessors, they believe that there is nothing wrong with their desire to impose fairness upon citizens, despite these citizens’ actual will. How do they propose this could be achieved? By subjecting economy’s functioning to governmental control, of course. In his book “Perspectives on welfare”, Alan Deacon states: “Government must offer a framework for market-steering which results in better and fairer market transactions” (Deacon 2002, p. 75). What individuals like Deacon and Titmuss could not understand though, is that when government begins to meddle in economic affairs with too much enthusiasm, the economy’s effective functioning comes to a halt. It is important to understand that the subjects of economy are millions and millions of people – each with its own economic interests. Just as one’s body, economy is an organism, consisting of operational cells. This means that it is only economy as a whole, which can be thought of as objectively existing phenomenon. Just as a particular cell of one’s body cannot steer the rest of cells, government cannot steer economy, because it never ceases to remain economy’s subject. While trying to govern economy, socialist-minded politicians simply act as cancerous cells – they destroy the whole body of economics.

Why was Titmuss unable to understand that if being deployed, his ideas would cause the collapse of British economy? The reading of John Welshman’s article “The unknown Titmuss”, provides us with the answer to this question – apparently, it never occurred to Titmuss that people are being subjected to biological laws of evolution, just as it is the case with plants and animals, which is why he continued to insist that people’s existential inadequacy is being environmentally rather then biologically predetermined: “He (Titmuss) argued that as standards rose, and became more discriminatory and demanding, the more intolerant society became of its ‘ineffectives’. These included older people, ‘problem families’, delinquents, psychotics, and the ‘feeble-minded’ who were variously retired, segregated, punished, and institutionalized. As the dependencies of these groups were emphasized and their employment opportunities restricted, needs were created. It was the task of the social services to meet these needs” (Welshman 2004, p. 238). Is it really so? It is a well known fact that banks prefer giving credits to those who do not really need any money, as opposed to those who claim that, without being given a monetary credit, their lives would be destroyed. The same applies to “people in need” – the more they seem to require assistance, the less likely are the chances that they would be able to benefit from it. This is why individuals chronically dependent of social security programs, as the way to make living, represent such an acute social problem. And, as it appears – people like Titmuss actively contribute to this problem becoming even more acute, simply because they are being utterly incapable of subjecting their emotions to their sense of rationale. This is why in Titmuss’s books; there are no references to logic. The only reason why author would suggest that disadvantaged people should not feel as being disadvantaged is that he irrationally believed that it should have been the case, with considerations of common sense being quite unknown to Titmuss.

Apparently, the only thing Titmuss used to be concerned about, throughout his career, is maintaining his reputation of a progressive individual, with the idea that it would make a lot of sense to analyse the possible consequences of his proposals, never even occurring to him. However, given the fact that Western societies become increasingly feminised, as time goes by, the full extent of mental inadequacy, on the part of promoters of welfare state concept, often goes unnoticed. In its turn, this explains why Titmuss continues to be considered as a legitimate political scientist, despite clearly nonsensical essence of his philosophy. The same can said about contemporary proponents of a welfare state concept, who make money on publishing books about “inequality”.

For example, in their book “The widening gap: Health inequalities and policy in Britain”, Mary Shaw, Daniel Dorling, David Gordon and George Smith come up with a suggestion that government officials should increasingly rely upon a popular vote, as the mean of legitimizing their intention to turn Britain into a welfare state: “What matters first is for the government to change the direction of trends making for increased poverty and inequality. This depends on mobilizing popular support for a number of principled measures, and introducing more institutions at the same time as strengthening existing ones” (Shaw et al. 1999, p. xiv). Had authors familiarized themselves with what had brought about the collapse of California’s economy in 2003, they would know that it is was namely the overwhelming support for governmental institutionalization of more and more social services, expressed by ordinary Californians during the course countless referendums in the past. People are illogical beings – they simultaneously strive for reduction of taxes, on one hand, and for introduction of new welfare policies, on another. Therefore, “people’s will” is the last thing; responsible politicians should take into consideration, while designing social policies. In the next part of this paper, we will provide readers with additional proofs as to the fact that the realities of post-industrial living in Western countries had deprived Titmuss’s concept of a welfare state of even remains of its formal validity.

As we have shown earlier, the conceptual soundness of Titmuss’s faith-based theory could not have been seriously discussed, even in time when British society remained culturally and racially homogenous. However, when welfare state is being established to serve the needs of a multicultural society, then the nonsensical essence of his theory becomes apparent even to people without formal degrees.

For example, it has traditionally been assumed by welfare state theorists that people’s dependency on social assistance programs is not genetically predetermined. In their book “Cycles of disadvantage: A review of research”, Michael Rutter and Nicola.Madge state: “At least half of the children born into a disadvantaged home do not repeat the pattern of disadvantage in the next generation” (Rutter & Madge 1976, p. 120). However, such authors’ suggestion only remained valid until the time when the policy of multiculturalism had attained an official status in Western societies. The contemporary realities of multicultural living in such countries as Britain, U.S., France and Germany, leave no doubt as to the fact that the overwhelming majority of representatives of ethnic minorities in these countries (with probable exception of Chinese) became fully specialized in relying upon governmental assistance, as the way to meet ends, regardless of whether they belong to first, second, third of fourth generation of ethnic immigrants. Why work if gullible White taxpayers, instilled with the complex of historical guilt, do not mind taking care of these people’s expenses. While in U.S., all the average Mexican couple has to do, in order to qualify for thousands and thousands of dollars in monthly welfare payments, is to conceive 4-5 kids, without even being required to look after these kids’ upbringing. In Mexico, these people would be required to work hard for even one hundredth of the money they receive from American government on monthly basis, by simply residing in America.

Another example – in their book “Tackling inequalities: Where are we now and what can be done?”, Christina Pantazis and David Gordon provide us with the insight on how New Labor government of Tony Blair had gone about addressing the issue of inequality in Britain: “The New Labor government has responded to the increasing spatial concentrations of poverty and inequality by introducing a plethora of area-based policies to deal with the lack of opportunities in deprived areas” (Pantazis & Gordon 2000, p. 16). When translated into intelligible language, authors’ suggestion can be articulated as follows: while being presented with the challenge of combating poverty in ethnic ghettos, Blair’s government decided to tackle the problem by taking money away from hard working Britons and distributing it among ethnically unique welfare recipients, so that they may continue celebrating diversity by holding demonstrations against British imperialism in the center of London and by bringing explosives into London’s subway.

We can only wonder as to why sociologists who believe that equality and altruism should be given a status of state-based policy cannot grasp the counter-productive essence of such their belief. The same applies to many politicians in Western countries’ highest offices, who think that there is nothing wrong about them propagating essentially Marxist ideas. In his article “The exploration of social problems in the field of social policies”, Robert Page quotes from Gordon Brown’s speech, during the course of which British Prime Minister had referred to his own country as an oppressive state, which denies many of its citizens an opportunity to attain social prominence: “What people resent about Britain today is not that some people who have worked hard had done well. What angers people is that millions are denied the opportunity to realize their potential and are powerless to do so” (Page 2001, p. 24). The very context of this suggestion implies that people who work hard have no reason to complain about being denied an opportunity to realize their potential. Apparently, Brown is being ignorant as to the fact that nowadays, there are millions of Britons who go about realizing their potential by never ceasing to complain about such an opportunity being denied to them, simply because it pays good money!

For example, when British citizens of Pakistani descend are being asked to consider the possibility of becoming employed, instead of continuing to rely on social assistance, they respond back by instigating race riots and by setting cars on fire at night – as the result, these people’s welfare checks become instantly “fatter”. This is exactly how welfare state works – instead of trying to reduce the levels of social entropy within a society by eliminating the agents of such entropy, welfare state does something entirely opposite. It instills citizens with the sense of existential irresponsibleness – after all, according to Titmuss, it is individual’s humanity that matters the most, and not his or her ability to function as a productive member of society. The problem is – while continuing to pay for underprivileged people’s food and social services, working citizens would eventually get tired of it. When this happens, the economy of a welfare state will sustain a heavy blow – the fact that in early nineties Soviet Union had collapsed just like a stack of cards, substantiates the full validity of such our suggestion.

Conclusion

Thus, the conclusion of this paper can be formulated as follows: it is not only that the concept of welfare state had been deprived of any practical significance, but it had also lost the remains of its theoretical validity, due to an ongoing process of Western countries’ multiculturalization. Despite the fact that many Western countries are now believed to be functioning as welfare states, the gap between poor and rich in these countries continues to widen at alarming speed. The very notion of multiculturalism implies the absence of national solidarity, as a consolidating force within ethnically diversified society. Moreover, due to the process of Globalization, we cannot even discuss the concept of statehood as the essential part of today’s geopolitical reality, as it still used to be the case throughout sixties and seventies. Nowadays, national governments are being only formally responsible for the process of designing socio-political policies in their countries, with World Trade Organization being in charge of this process de facto. Therefore, there is not even a single reason for us to consider Titmuss’s theoretical legacy as such that represents any practical value, whatsoever.

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Ryan, W. (1976) Blaming the victim. NY, Vintage Books.

Shaw, M. et al. (1999) The widening gap: Health inequalities and policy in Britain. Bristol, Policy Press.

Titmuss, R. (1976) Commitment to welfare. 2^nd ed. London, Routledge.

Titmuss, R. (1951) Social administration in a changing society. The British Journal of Sociology, 2 (3), pp. 183-197.

Titmuss, R. (1963) The welfare state: Images and realities. The Social Service Review, 37 (1), pp. 1-11.

Titmuss, R. (1967) The welfare complex in a changing society. The Milbank Memorial Fund Quarterly, 45 (1), pp. 9-23.

Wilson, W. (1987) The truly disadvantaged: The inner city, the underclass, and public policy. Chicago, Chicago University Press.

Wilson, W. (1997) When work disappears: The world of the new urban poor. NY, Vintage.

Inequality can be traced back to several centuries ago when society favored some people over others. However, some traditionally marginalized groups have tried to fight for their space by advocating for equal opportunities and rights within the systems. Although it has not been easy and people have been killed, many vulnerable people such as women have gotten a fair share of their rights though there are still challenges. It is even more challenging if you are a woman who is physically challenged and a lone parent.

Morning

At 24, Jael Hazel was happily married and expecting their firstborn child with her husband, Bernard. Then, one morning in 2015, she got fatigued and thought it was a result of expecting a baby. Otherwise, healthy, she was not bothered because she knew it would disappear within a day or two. Furthermore, the baby was due in 3 weeks, according to the doctor. She finished her shift at Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin, where she worked, canceled a late lunch with her husband, and went to bed. Little did she know that it was the last time she would walk on her two feet.

Afternoon

Bernard came home at 3: 15 P.M. only to hear a groaning and agonizing sound. To his surprise, Jael could not even move her body an inch. Without hesitation, he quickly called an ambulance, which came within a few minutes, readily equipped to take Hazel to the hospital. The paramedics had to carry her from her bed into the parked ambulance. A spinal code diagnosis revealed a potentially deadly infection of bacteria. Meningitis is a type of disease that affects a person’s neurology system (McGill et al., 2016). Hazel’s kidney began to stop functioning as she became sicker. As a result, she was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) at The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin.

Night

While her friends and husband were helplessly waiting for the doctors’ feedback, desperately hoping that she would emerge victorious over the disease, Hazel was unconscious. “I believe I just had a normal disease, and everybody was overreacting,” she recalls. “I had no idea of the aftermath of the event.” Although she survived the ordeal, the results were disappointing to everyone. She was to go a surgery, which led to her legs and fingers’ amputation on her right hand. Her recovery was to take two years, which implied that she had to give birth while still battling the body pains.

Unfortunately, Jael’s husband died in 2018 in a road accident. After her husband’s burial, she went to her original workplace and requested the management to get her former position back. Although the officials were initially reluctant owing to her physical condition and the nature of work she was to perform, they allowed her to try. It is quite unfortunate the management still wanted her to do the same tasks in the same manner and speed. Her physical state had slowed her, and life pressures dragged her performance. Later that year, she rendered her resignation letter and left the company. The work environment was not conducive for her; there was no room for lactating mothers to breastfeed their children. The spaces between the grocery shelves were small hence could not accommodate her wheelchair, yet her salary was deducted if products were damaged as a result of her movement.

Jael is not the only person experiencing inequality at her job place in Ireland. Mary has been struggling to get employment ever since she graduated in 2016. Although most job adverts state that physically challenged persons will be given priority, she has lost all her job interviews to others who are fit physically. “It is hard competing with normal people, especially if you are a mother with children to take care of,” Mary acknowledges. The majority of incapacitated people in Ireland often finish college with the hope of getting direct employment, but they are always disappointed (Nolan and Gleeson, 2017). According to Sherry, statistics indicate that physically challenged people are more likely to be discriminated against (2016). Research conducted by the Economic and Research Institute (ESRI) indicates that 26% of lone and disabled parents are likely not to get jobs in Ireland (ESRI, 2018). Van Aswegen et al. also assert that although the Irish laws require unfit people to be incorporated, most are still excluded from the job markets. Jael recounts that “even though sometimes we are given an opportunity, the work environment does not take into consideration the challenges we experience”. She sometimes feels frustrated with her situation and sympathizes with lone parents who experience the same challenges.

In conclusion, society has not entirely accepted individuals who are physically challenged. Based on Jael and Mary’s accounts, many people are discriminated against on the job market when they are not well fit. This is even when worse when they are lone parents and have to take care of their families’ needs also. Although there are guidelines for promoting equality, Irish institutions are still not ready to embrace these changes. The work environment does not support equality, even if the hiring process was fair. Hence, there is a need to ensure that labor policies are well implemented.

Reference List

ESRI (2018) ‘’Significant gap’: Lone parents and those with disabilities among the most deprived in Ireland. ‘The journal. ie. Web.

McGill, F. et al. (2016) ‘Acute bacterial meningitis in adults.’ The Lancet, 388(10063), pp. 3036-3047.

Nolan, C. and Gleeson, C.I. (2017) ‘The transition to employment: the perspectives of students and graduates with disabilities.’ Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 19(3), pp. 230-244.

Sherry, M. (2016) Disability hate crimes: Does anyone really hate disabled people? Routledge.

Van Aswegen, J. and Shevlin, M. (2019) ‘Disabling discourses and ableist assumptions: Reimagining social justice through education for disabled people through a critical discourse analysis approach.’ Policy Futures in Education, 17(5), pp. 634-656.

Many have heard of Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for the rights of black citizens in the United States, but few people know how his life developed and what contribution to history was made by a Baptist preacher. Monuments have been erected in honor of the civil rights activist, streets named, and songs were written. And, perhaps, if not for the tragic murder, Martin would have changed the life and stream of thought of even more people. The below research aims to show that Martin Luther King had a significant impact on society, providing evidence from his development as an equality activist, his activities and achievements, and the way Martin’s life was ended.

Martin Luther King was born on December 15, 1929, in Atlanta to a Baptist pastor. The future wrestler took exams as an external student, and at the age of 15, he won a public speaking competition. At one time, Martin doubted which profession to give preference to – medicine or law, everything was decided in favor of the ministry of the church, which influenced the education and literacy of the future leader. In 1955 he graduated from Boston University and received a doctorate in theology. In 1953, King married Coretta Scott. The couple became known as some of the first African American Baptist leaders. After the death of her husband, Coretta continued his work. They had four children who also became social activists and fighters for human rights (Carson).

As a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama, King led the protests against skin color separation on public transport. At that time, there was a ban for people of color: it was not allowed to sit at the entrance of white passengers. In case of disobedience, proceedings could follow at the police station. The protest in 1955 turned into a bus boycott that lasted 385 days and was led by King (History.com Editors). As a result of these actions, Martin Luther King achieved the recognition of the illegality of such a division by the authorities and became widely known as an ardent spokesman for civil rights. It should be noted that during the protests, a bomb was planted at the King’s house; by a lucky chance, no one was injured. King also held sitters in public places; several times, Martin was charged and arrested, but he was released in the absence of substantiated charges.

His speech “I have a dream” brought great fame and recognition to Martin. In 1964, Martin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to racial reconciliation (“Martin Luther King Jr.: Biographical”). Many people have noticed and continue to notice the extraordinary personality of Martin Luther King, which is expressed in Christian concepts that were the basis of his speeches. The position of the leader was based on Christian love, in which he believed unconditionally. He struggled with the problems of unemployment, hunger, and poverty among the black population but did not have time to draw up a plan to address such issues. King’s views were multifaceted: he also opposed the Vietnam War, which considerably affected the societal consciousness of the time.

On April 4, 1968, at 6:01 pm, King was fatally wounded by a sniper while standing on a balcony in a Memphis motel. The bullet went through the right side of the neck and throat, then, passing through the spinal cord, stopped in his shoulder. He was urgently taken in serious condition to the hospital of St. Joseph, where doctors opened his chest and performed a direct heart massage. At 19:05, the death of Martin Luther King was announced. At the autopsy, doctors said, the 39-year-old equality fighter’s heart was like that of a 60-year-old (History.com Editors).

Given the above research, it might be concluded that Martin Luther King had a substantial influence on society. It is evident from his essential struggle against racism, the Noble Peace Prize, and his global recognition. Moreover, if he had not been an influential person who directed the public mind, there would be no assassination undertaken against him.

References

“Martin Luther King Jr.: Biographical.” The Noble Prize. n.d. Web.

Carson, Clayborne. “Martin Luther King, Jr.”Britannica, 2021. Web.

History.com Editors. “Martin Luther King, Jr.” History.com, 2021. Web.

There have been numerous attempts to realize the multiple factors that lead to injustice. One of the most problematic issues concerning the inefficiencies of the legal system is the relatively low investigation rate of specific murder cases. The analysis of the phenomenon helps to understand the complicated complete picture featuring inequality as one of the significant factors. Thus, the legal system has proven to systematically neglect the investigation of criminal cases with a specific type of victim.

Analyzing the lack of equality and various types of discrimination in the legal system is a complex undertaking featuring multiple controversies. Meadows (2018) claims that incompetence and inefficiency demonstrated by various people employed by the system often lead to injustice. At the same time, it has become vivid that the public itself also shows less interest in tragic cases involving people from certain demographic groups. “Less dead” has become a widely used term that is inappropriate, as it undermines the ability or the motivation of the legal system to investigate certain types of crime. Sex workers, drug dealers, and different types of minorities are the groups that are sometimes referred to as “less dead” by journalists and writers.

Emerging evidence suggests that the legal system, in general, tends to undermine the importance of certain types of criminal activity. Moreover, they do it deliberately by putting less effort into analyzing murder cases where the victim can be labeled “less dead”. The professionals who are expected to protect and serve often do not care about groups exposed to the most significant risks. Therefore, the term “less dead” is inappropriate and should not be used, as it seeks to explain police investigators’ lack of motivation to protect the most vulnerable people who often become victims.

Reference

Meadows, R. J. (2018). Understanding violence and victimization (7^th ed.). Pearson.

The struggle for equality in various fields has been a prevalent topic lately. Supporters of such campaigns seek to overcome existing injustices and establish a more fair, equal order. This applies both to social movements and to the order within various organizations and business enterprises. However, there is a significant difference between equality and equity, and in my opinion, the latter approach is much fairer and provides more benefits. This essay aims to develop this thesis and analyze what the concept of equity means to me personally.

From my perspective, simple equality is an attractive but flawed idea. Its primary disadvantage is that even with equal resources, people can still have unequal access to the system (“Equity vs. equality,” 2020). Creating an ideal structure in which all individuals can achieve the same position with equal opportunities is extremely difficult. However, it is within the power of organizations to reallocate resources, recognize that all members of society come from different backgrounds, and adjust policies and procedures as necessary. This practice is ultimately not only fairer but also an investment in future success. Equality means treating everyone equally, which in some way averages out the achievements of a company or society. Equity, in this context, allows creating conditions for each person in which they will demonstrate the best performance.

As a result, equity means much more to me than equality. From my perspective, adopting such a system by a company sets up its participants for a constant process of self-improvement, in which the organization helps the individual. Thus, the enterprise shows its interest in each employee and their personal growth, which I consider essential for any person. A company can create an environment where people can comfortably exist, knowing that their weaknesses will be supported. In addition, such a policy allows exploring what strengths and weaknesses a particular community has, while a system based on equality does not consider the characteristics of an individual.

From my point of view, such an approach to doing business or interacting in society can significantly improve the morale of its members, as well as the productivity and overall efficiency of operations. For me, the factor of morality, attention, and lack of disregard for personal characteristics is crucial. It allows me to devote myself to my favorite business without fear entirely. Therefore, for me, equity is the idea that both society and various organizations should strive to achieve.

Reference

Equity vs. equality: What’s the difference? (2020). Milken Institute of Public Health.

The black females have been observed to be detained by their fellow males in various ways; in which the rates of incarceration vary from one region to another. Black females have also experienced various levels of discrimination by males which has impacted them, their families, and the entire community in different ways. The rates in which the black females are incarcerated by males vary based on the level of education that the women have, and also the level of civilization that the Africa women are in (Tawanda 3-10).

The detention of African women by males is more based on the traditions and the cultural values that exist within their respective communities. It has often been observed that African women seem to regard their males with very high esteem; to a point of ignoring any mistreatment that they receive from them. This tendency of males detaining females in their homes and neglecting them the chances of associating with different people from various places; makes the African women to be confined in their social cocoons which discriminates their ability to serve within the society (Lymn 26-64).

On this basis, therefore, the levels of employment in Africa for females remains very low because many women are denied educational rights by their males; which in the long run leads to very high levels of illiteracy among African women. As it has been revealed from various instances in Africa, the factor of educational denial to women by males has led to the significant low employment levels for African women (Tawanda 3-10).

For example in Ojuola’s case; being an African woman from Nigeria she explains how she was determined to go to the university and later become a banker or an accountant; as an effort to show how African women are devoted in their education, but only barred by their oppressive traditions and cultures. In the interview with Ojuola, she explains, ‘my ambitions were to become a banker or an accountant…’ clearly depicts how she was such a bright girl in her primary and secondary education; only to come to realize that all her efforts were useless as her marriage had already been arranged, and no one was ready to take her back to the University for further education (Lymn 26-64).

This male incarceration of females in Africa leads to very high levels of illiteracy among the African women, resulting in the lack of employment to the African women; which further affects various parties in different ways. From the individual’s perspective, the women whose rights to education are denied consequently lead to the lack of focus in their life; which further makes these females feel isolated or left out within the society (Lymn 26-64).

The women who find themselves in situations where they can not continue with education due to the oppressing traditions; further frequently find themselves at the dilemmas of deciding whether to follow the traditions which seem to favor men or not; leading to their alienation from the males within the society. In the article of the interview with Ojuola from Nigeria, she exclaims, ‘my parents had arranged for my marriage when I was ten years….’ which clearly shows how women had no choice in their marriages (Peter 5).

The families of the women who seem to face the problems of being denied their education rights also suffer the loss of the priceless human resource, which the given woman could have made in the case she was educated. In Africa for instance, educated women have played very significant roles to their families; where they have helped raise the status of their families and helped alleviate poverty among other deeds. For example, Pauline who is a Rwandan and an educated African woman helps her family by providing them with the essentials, through which the family benefits a lot from her. From her case, she even finds her husband a very good job, in which they both earn good salaries which they use to uplift their family’s status (Tawanda 3-10).

Society in general benefits a lot when their women are educated; as these women play a fundamental role in ensuring the welfare of the society. In Africa, this was well depicted by Pauline who on becoming a minister for women’s affairs and culture; was capable of providing the whole community with social amenities and as well as food. In the article women’s work, Pauline is brought out as one of the African women who is liberated out of education in which goes further to engage herself in works similar to those for men by becoming a minister (Lymn 26-64).

Black heterosexism refers to the act of blacks marrying their opposite sexes; while black LGBTQ refers to the act of blacks marrying or engaging in love affairs with their fellows of the same gender. In Africa, heterosexism is the most preferred mode of relationship and the one which is traditionally advocated for. In this case, the act of people of the same sex engaging in love affairs in Africa is an awkward act, and the people involved are regarded as outcasts in society. In an interview with Ojiola who is a woman from Nigeria, any act of engaging people of the same sex was regarded as bad to the extent of being considered a curse to the people involved (Peter 11).

Generally in Africa, the act of getting involved in love affairs with people of the same sex is highly discouraged and even described as going against the traditions. Lesbianism and homosexuality in Africa is an act that the people of Africa discourage, and even leads to the abandonment of the individuals who engage themselves in such acts by society. In this perspective, therefore, the Africans seem to put most of their privilege in heterosexism and try as much as possible to avoid lesbianism and homosexuality among their communities (Peter 7).

The prospects of the future for black women in the current trend are very promising following the civilization that is taking place among most of the countries in Africa. This civilization as brought by the colonizers took place through that they adversely broke most of the African traditions; thus playing a crucial role in ensuring that the women in this society are recognized and given positions in leading their respective societies. This was well explicated by Pauline from Rwanda, who was a very strong African woman leader in whom she displayed the good qualities of leadership by offering the society necessities like food among others (Peter 9).

More specifically, due to the enlightenment that is taking place globally, most of the women who had been previously oppressed by the cultural beliefs and traditions in their communities; are positively responding to the women’s global trends which ensure the right to education for everyone regardless of their sex (Lymn 26-64).

The current civilization among the various communities in the world is doing a lot in ensuring that the future of black women is well promising. On this basis, therefore, there are high levels of inter-racial marriages which enhance the destruction of these oppressive traditions to women; from which liberalization is ensured once the black women are married to the white men or those from other races; who in turn give them the freedom to express and realize their dreams (Oyeronke 7).

In addition, more efforts are made by the already educated women in Africa to promote and put more emphasis on girl education; in which the girls and the boys are given equal rights and access to education. This would lead to the future of African women being very promising, and shortly the issue of males preferring male children alone would be a thing of the past (Tawanda 3-10).

The issue of most Africans preferring male children more than female children has also greatly affected the position of women in Africa. It has been revealed that most males in Africa seem to prefer male children over female ones; based on which the perception of women in the society has been lowly appraised. For instance, in the interview with Ojiola from Nigeria, most men in the country preferred women who could give birth to as many male children as possible, while those women who could not give birth to male children were abandoned by their husbands (Tawanda 3-10).

The behavior of many males preferring male children was based on the idea that male children would always remain in the family and ensure security for the family. In this perspective therefore most males preferred their women to give birth to more male children than females; on the basis that the more the males the higher the security within the family. As Ojiola asserts in the article, ‘ The birth of a male child is still the source of pride and honor in Nigeria while that of female is seen as a failure…’ (Peter 9).

As it has been observed, many women today have been liberated by the current civilization globally which has led to the promotion of education among African women; leading to high literacy levels among the women of various communities. As a result, this has placed women in respective high levels of acquiring jobs similar to the ones males have in various parts of the world; as it has been evident in Pauline’s case from Rwanda who based on having education became a minister. In this case therefore African women, from the impacts of civilization can now assume similar positions as their white cohorts in other developed countries.

Works cited

Peter, Landsman.” Woman’s Work.” New York Times. 2002: 1-21. Print.

Oyerenko, Oyewumi. “The White Woman’s Burden: African Women in Western Feminist Discourse.” Chicago Times 2002: 1-18. Print.

Lymn, Thomas. “Ngaitana (I Will Circumcise Myself): The Gender and Generational Politics of the 1956 Ban on Clitoridectomy in Meru, Kenya”. London: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1999):26-64.

Tawanda, Sanyikonye. “The Africa Feminism Debate: A Brief Overview”. Cape Town: Swallow Creations. 1999: 3-10.

This paper is a summary of the article on whether affirmative action advances racial equality. The article was written by Glenn, C and Williams, W, with Glenn supporting the contention that affirmative action advances racial equality while Williams is against this view. According to Glenn, the prudent use of “race-sighted” policies is essential to reducing the harmful effects that are brought about by race stigmatization, with particular emphasis on the sense of “racial otherness” which is still in existence in the United States. Williams on other hand argues that using race as a preference leads to a reversal of the gains that have been made as a result of the civil rights movement; since it penalizes people and ends up causing more harm to those it is intended to help.

Those who support affirmative action say that there should be a continuation of debate on the issue of racial justice even though there is no formal discrimination anymore. Glenn adds that the use of race–based instruments is characteristically the result, and not the cause, of the widespread racial awareness in the society. Therefore, saying that people should be blind to race is essentially a superficial moral idea. By not recognizing race because we fear others will start thinking in racial terms is living in denial. It is therefore impossible to understand the social orientation that defines the country without referring to race because these categories are embedded in the people’s consciousness and cannot be wished away. It is therefore important for people to be mindful of the race issue as they conduct their public affairs since race is more of a matter of cognition than normative.

The opponents of affirmative action, on the other hand, argue that affirmative action penalizes innocent people simply because they are white, and in most cases, the result is that it leads to people who are not qualified being employed which results in more harm than good to blacks. Williams argues that the civil rights agitation for blacks is over and won. According to Williams the same rights that are enjoyed by whites, are also provided to the African Americans. They are treated equally within the law, can make contracts, sue and be sued, vote and associate, and travel freely. These were rights they did not enjoy previously. They further argue that previously, civil rights activists were against making race a basis for hiring, access to public facilities, and private organizations. Presently, they are fighting for restricted access. To Williams, civil rights groups have stopped focusing on the true meaning of justice and freedoms, especially those related to the association. Racial preferences in resource allocation often result in a zero-sum game, in that while the blacks end up gaining, the loss is transferred to innocent and deserving whites. For instance, affirmative action in university admissions often leads to blacks with lower marks being given admission to prestigious universities at the expense of highly qualified and deserving white and Asian cases. Furthermore, leading colleges that have used affirmative action to recruit blacks have produced disastrous results with the majority of the blacks recruited failing to graduate from those colleges.

I support affirmative action efforts aimed at giving more opportunities to racial minorities. Currently, there is skewed access to resources like education, health care, and job opportunities among the racial minorities, especially African Americans. This can be attributed to historical factors like slavery and government policies that discriminated against racial minorities and gave whites more privileges and opportunities. Therefore, affirmative action should be encouraged because it will help in reducing institutional discrimination and bring about more equality.

There has been an ongoing debate on establishing specific rights for individuals in order to create and maintain an equal society. Equality presumes that each person is endowed with the same number of rights regardless of their age, sex, race, and other factors. One of such privileges is health insurance, which remains under discussion since not every citizen can receive it. However, if people demand equality, health coverage and other forms of assistance need to be provided for every individual as a fundamental human right.

To my mind, any kind of government assistance should be granted to each state’s citizens despite their socio-economic status (SES) and demographic peculiarities. It would be unfair if a 50-year-old pensioner could receive fewer benefits than a 25-year-old woman working two jobs. Alleviating access to obtaining insurance or other social needs as financial aid or a loan program can be beneficial in terms of establishing equity. In my view, the accessibility to such services must be equal for every population layer and should be appointed by the law. This access to social assistance programs should become a fundamental human right, since it will protect vulnerable groups and ensure that no one is deprived of anything.

As a result, if the state wants to guarantee equality for each society member, its representative should entitle citizens with equal rights to accessing different social and health services. Since equality is at the heart of human rights, the government should contribute to its growth by lawfully establishing the same rights for every person regardless of their SES, age, race, and other features. Enhancing equity is the key priority of any country to ensure stability and prosperity.

The philosophy of equality and inclusiveness are the basic principles of equality. It is worth noting that these aspects, although they have similar tasks, differ in the aspect of implementation. Thus, the basic principle of the philosophy of equality is that all people are equal, regardless of their characteristics. The main reason for this is the fact that one does not choose the traits one is born with. Primarily, it includes appearance, race, and gender.

Inclusion implies the involvement of a person with special needs in a common collective, thereby emphasizing equality. However, the philosophy of inclusion is based more on the consequences of introducing a person with disabilities into the environment. At the same time, the philosophy of equality is based on the fundamental principles of equality. These two aspects are demonstrated through interaction with students and daily activities through the processes that take place during the interaction.

While training, students often interact with each other for a variety of reasons. It is this interaction that demonstrates this philosophy, as well as its tasks. The purposes include making it clear to the individual that one is the same as all. When a person performs common tasks with a team, it enhances the understanding of interaction with the team. In this way, it promotes bonding and equality, as one does not feel separate and, therefore, not equal. Finally, it is effective in terms of long-term consequences. For example, inclusiveness reinforces the understanding of a person with disabilities that one is entitled to the same services as the rest. It contributes to the improvement of moral well-being, for example, in the case of disability, and, accordingly, to recovery.