Friday, April 22, 2011

Can Plans for Achieving Social Justice Succeed only when those Affected give their Approval?

Plans for achieving social justice can succeed only when those affected give their approval.
Describe a specific situation in which a plan for achieving social justice might succeed without approval by those affected. Discuss what you think determines whether or not plans for achieving social justice can succeed only when approved by those affected.
___

Movements toward social justice aim to ensure the equality of all people under the law. More often in undeveloped nations, there exist sectors of society treated as second-class citizens that experience violations of their human rights. These marginalized groups most often include women, children and elderly people. Groups from wealthier countries, such as NGOs from the US, attempt to provoke social change in regions populated by repressed people. These groups may succeed in promoting social justice in the short term by providing legal help, counseling, alimentation, and other types of aid. However, plans to make these changes are not sustainable in the long run without the active support of those affected.

Humanitarian aid groups assist marginalized sectors of society in a variety of ways. For example, some organizations support gender equality in regions where women are viewed as property of men. They provide legal and financial help to victims of domestic violence, influence families to send their girls to school and educate women about their human rights. The active involvement of outside groups may save many lives and inspire some people to achieve goals that, beforehand, did not seem possible. Indeed, these humanitarian groups introduce new ideas to women and provide a seed of hope for their future.

While the humanitarian groups may find success in alleviating some of the struggles of women, their biggest challenge remains achieving the sustainability of their programs. Groups often cannot stay indefinitely in their host regions to help the people. They must be able to change the mindset of the people---for example, by making women believe that they are truly equal to their husbands and should not tolerate abuse. However, victims have often suffered abuse for an extended period of time; they witness their mothers beat up and then expect the same treatment when they get married. Several obstacles prevent women from changing their mindset and expecting different outcomes---from cultural barriers, lack of financial resources, fear and intimidation, etc. On the other hand, if a humanitarian group successfully changes these women's conception about themselves and the world, there is a chance of achieving long term, sustainable change. These women will continue to demand equal rights and may also persuade peers and their own daughters to expect more from life.


Indeed, changing people's long-held beliefs remains to be a challenge in groups seeking social justice. It is easy to provide donated food and clothing or build shelters for people. It is difficult to get people to change habits and mindsets. In order to achieve true social justice, groups should aim to "plant seeds" in people's minds and inspire them to take action to make changes in their own life long after the groups leave.

1 comment:

  1. Your writing needs no further improvement. I am a college business and sustainability professor and your work is outstanding - I would give it an A.
    Your social justice article helped me immensely in understanding a social justice issue I am wresting with. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete