CHAPTER 6: Human Rights and Social Justice

Oppression

Putting extreme limitations and constraints on some person, group, or larger system

SOCIAL INJUSTICE: "-ISMS"

Universal human rights, civil rights, and citizens' rights to social welfare contribute to the vision of social justice PEOPLE EXPERIENCE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF: -RACISM -ELITISM -SEXISM -HETEROSEXISM -AGISM -HANDICAPISM

HUMAN RIGHTS

intrinsic rights that protect human life, ensure freedom, and secure personal liberty >>UNITED NATIONS- "those rights which are inherent in our nature and without which we cannot live as human beings." -Fundamental entitlements that are necessary for personal development and human potential Fall within 3 categories: -Civil and political -Social and economic -Collective, 'people's'

Civil Rights

protect citizens from oppression by society or societal groups

Acculturation

socialization of one culture into the ways of another culture

Ageism

Prejudice toward any age group, however, more commonly identified as negative attitudes toward aging

Hetero-sexism

Presumes a heterosexual orientation, including sexuality as an aspect of personal identity

Discrimination

"the act of treating people differently based on the fact that they belong to some group rather than on merit"

Marginalization

"the condition of having less power and being viewed as less important than others in the society because of belonging to some group or having some characteristic"

Ethnicity

-Based on an affiliation with a group that shares common characteristics, such as race, national origin, religion -Is often related to cultural issues (community life patterns passed on through generations) and group values/norms -Often used to understand group behaviors (based on relationships and socialization NOT genetics) -Ethnocentrism: refers to one's own culture as the norm or "right way"

Race

-Based on common descent and genetic origin -Often based on physical characteristics -More often based on genetic and biological markers -Does not explain behavior (but is sometimes related to pre-dispositions towards certain health conditions)

Sexism

-Belief that one sex is superior to the other -Has roots in gender socialization, which shapes how we perceive our roles and define our self-identity

Social Justice

-Foundational value of social work profession -A 'just' society is one in which all members share the same rights to societal resources and benefits and who contribute to the resources of society -SW profession regards equality and fairness as core aspects for policy and direct practice

Handicapism

-Prejudice and discrimination directed against people who have mental or physical disabilities >>The WHO defines disabilities as the consequences of impairments that restrict or prevent people from undertaking activities within the range for people without impairments

Effects of Social Injustice

-Results in discrimination, oppression, and victimization -Stereotyping reinforces prejudicial attitudes toward minority groups -Overstated characterization and simplified generalization of a minority group based on selected traits -Interpersonal Dehumanization results from being perceived as an inanimate object -Caught up in repulsive attitudes and actions, emotional separation -Personal Victimization occurs when people blame themselves, have feelings of inferiority and dependency -Learned Helplessness is a sense of powerlessness; one's sense of lack of control

Citizen's Rights

-promote quality of life through citizens' rightful access to the resources of society >In last half of 20th century, reform laws governing employment practices, access to education, and housing have given further guarantees for these rights. >Provide fair, just, reasonable dealings between government and individual citizens - and amongst citizens

Elitism

Also known as -> Classism - prejudicial attitudes that presume people in lower socioeconomic classes are 'slackers' who are less worthy and competent that those in upper classes

The "-isms"

ISMS: doctrines, causes, or theories which within the social work profession, typically imply negative attitudes or beliefs regarding a specific population of people, although they can connote positive belief systems as well

Assimilation

adoption of a majority group cultural practices by a minority group

Accommodation

efforts of a majority group to make changes to enable a minority group to live within a society