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Sociology

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Feb 20, 2024

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Article 1: Ontario Boosting Social Assistance to Help People Get Ahead According to NewsroomOntario (2017) article, the government has announced an increase in social welfare benefits for low-income individuals and families. This decision reflects the concept of social welfare policy, which involves government actions aimed at promoting the social and economic well-being of its citizens (NewsroomOntario, 2017). In continuation, by increasing social welfare benefits, the government acknowledges the need to address income inequality and provide support to those in need (NewsroomOntario, 2017). Reflecting on the article, I believe this decision is a step towards reducing poverty and improving the overall well- being of vulnerable populations. One concept from the text that can be applied to this article is social justice. According to Durst (2017), social justice refers to the fair distribution of resources and opportunities in a society. Overall, by increasing social welfare benefits, the government is taking a step towards achieving social justice by providing assistance to those who are economically disadvantaged. (NewsroomOntario, 2017). This policy decision would create a more equitable society where everyone has access to essential resources and support systems. Article 2: Childcare Centers Face Financial Strain Due to Lack of Government Funding Pattnaik and Lopez (2023), sheds light on the financial strain faced by childcare centers as a result of inadequate government funding. The concept of social inequality can be applied here, as the lack of sufficient funding disproportionately affects low-income families who depend on affordable childcare services (Pattnaik & Lopez, 2023). This disparity in access to quality childcare perpetuates social stratification by limiting opportunities for children from
disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their full potential (Pattnaik & Lopez, 2023). The article highlights the need for increased investment in social welfare programs to address systemic barriers that limit social mobility. Additionally, the article touches upon the concept of the welfare state (Pattnaik & Lopez, 2023). Welfare states are characterized by government policies and programs that aim to promote social welfare and reduce inequality (Pattnaik & Lopez, 2023). The situation presented in the article indicates a failing welfare state, as the insufficient government funding for childcare centers reveals a failure to adequately protect the rights and well-being of children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds (Pattnaik & Lopez, 2023). In my opinion, equitable and accessible childcare services are essential components of a functioning social welfare system. Article 3: Volunteers Organize Food Drive for Homeless Shelters: We need collective action, innovation to end homelessness This article highlights a volunteer-led initiative to organize a food drive for homeless shelters in the community (The Seattle Times, 2023). The concept of social capital is relevant here (The Seattle Times, 2023). Social capital refers to the networks and relationships that individuals have within a community, which can be leveraged to mobilize resources and support for social welfare initiatives (The Seattle Times, 2023). In this case, I believe the volunteers are utilizing their social networks to gather donations and support for homeless individuals. Thinking vividly, their efforts demonstrate the importance of community engagement and social relationships in addressing social welfare issues.
Additionally, the concept of collective action can be applied to this article. Collective action refers to the efforts of a group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal (The Seattle Times, 2023). In my opinion, the volunteers are collectively organizing the food drive to address the issue of hunger among homeless individuals by coming together and pooling their resources, and, they are able to make a larger impact and provide necessary support to those in need. This article exemplifies how collective action can drive positive change and improve social welfare outcomes in a community. Article 4: New Healthcare Plan Aims to Improve Access to Medical Services for Low- Income Individuals This article discusses a newly proposed healthcare plan that seeks to improve access to medical services for low-income individuals, illustrating the concept of healthcare as a human right (Government of Canada Publications, 2019). It further recognizes the socio-economic disparities that often limit individuals' access to proper healthcare and strives to bridge that gap ( Government of Canada Publications, 2019). Government of Canada Publications (2019), states that by prioritizing healthcare as a human right, the plan acknowledges the importance of equal access to medical services, regardless of an individual's financial status. In my opinion, this reflects the concept of social justice, as it aims to create a more equitable society by addressing the disparities in healthcare access. Furthermore, this article relates to the concept of social determinants of health. Social determinants of health are the socio-economic factors that impact an individual's health outcomes (PubMed, 2019). The lack of access to medical services due to financial constraints is a prime
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example of a social determinant of health (PubMed, 2019). Overall, the proposed healthcare plan recognizes the importance of addressing these social determinants by providing low-income individuals with improved access to medical services. Article 5: Youth unemployment rate spikes amid pandemic This article discusses the alarming levels of youth unemployment that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the concept of social exclusion ( Canada’s National Observer, 2020). Youth unemployment not only denies young individuals the opportunity to acquire practical work experience, but it also hinders their integration into society (Canada’s National Observer, 2020). Furthermore, it was recognised that without adequate employment opportunities, young people can face limited social mobility and higher risks of poverty and societal exclusion ( Canada’s National Observer, 2020). The article further emphasizes the importance of implementing policies and programs that address youth unemployment to ensure their successful transition into the workforce ( Canada’s National Observer, 2020). Moreover, the article touches upon the concept of social investment. Social investment refers to policies that prioritize proactive interventions to prevent social issues before they occur or worsen (Postan-Aizik & Strier, 2020). The high levels of youth unemployment experienced during the pandemic highlight the need for social investments, such as job creation programs or education and training initiatives (Canada’s National Observer, 2020). Overall, by understanding the concept of social investment, one can recognize the significance of early interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of youth unemployment and promoting social welfare for future generations.
Reference Lists Canada’s National Observer. (2020). Youth Unemployment Rate Spikes Amid Pandemic . https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/05/08/news/youth-unemployment-rate-spikes- amid-pandemic Durst, D. (2017). Social Welfare and Social Work Education in Canada: Slipping to the Right . https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229054096_Social_Welfare_and_Social_Work_ Education_In_Canada_Slipping_to_the_Right Government of Canada Publications. (2019). Building on Values: New Healthcare Plan Aims to Improve Access to Medical Services for Low-Income Individuals . https://publications.gc.ca/site/archivee-archived.html?url=https://publications.gc.ca/ collections/Collection/CP32-85-2002E.pdf Newsroom. (2017). Ontario Boosting Social Assistance to Help People Get Ahead. https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/46052/ontario-boosting-social-assistance-to-help- people-get-ahead Pattnaik, E., & Lopez, M. (2023). Childcare Centres Face Financial Strain due to Lack of Government Funding . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10108782/ Postan-Aisik, D., & Strier, R. (2020). Social Development, Asset Building, and Social Investment. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi? article=4241&context=jssw PubMed. (2019). Social Determinants of Health and Related Inequalities: Confusion and Implications . Volume 7 – 2019. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00011
The Seattle Times. (2023). Volunteers Organize Food Drive for Homeless Shelters: We need collective action, innovation to end homelessness . https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/we-need-collective-action-innovation-to-end- homelessness/
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