Equality+and+Difference-+Jackie

__ **EQUALITY AND DIFFERENCE** __ Focus on how to approach the two equality and difference questions on the 2001 HSC Specimen Paper //Analyse// is the word that is used in the Depth Studies Section of the paper. The Board of studies defines //analyse// as; ‘identify components and the relationships between them draw out and relate implication.” To make clear that you are analysing use key words or phrases eg “the identifiable components of...”, “A significant relationship between... and ... is...”, and “A possible implication of... is...”. Using such staments makes it clear to the marker that you know what you are talking about and that you are clearly focused on the question. The Equality and Difference topic has three key that are required to be analysed. The opening sentencesof these paragrpahs may begin with the following: ·  ‘In analysing the **identity** of the elderly it is important to...’ ·  ‘There are significant **effects of discrimination** on the diabled including...’ ·  ‘**The degrees of equality**, especially differential access to society’s scarce resources, have a negative impact on...” You will need to of the three underlined factors affects the underclass, then, how the factors are related, and the implications of these factors on members of the underclass. Craig McGregor and Belinda Probert in her Deakin Lecture discussed the emergence of an underclass in Australia including the following groups: Some migrants face great hurdles due to limited English skills and an **unfamiliarity with some cultural patterns**. Limited access to much needed resources has brought about the poor social and economic conditions of indigenous people in Australia, such difficulties for the Aboriginies and Torres Strait Islanders although well documented have not been adressed well. Belinda Probert believes that this group may include more than two million people. The working poor category consists of what is believed to be four main sub categories; involuntarily working less than full-time, those employed in temporary jobs, those employed on a casual basis, those whos hours are decided by their employer. In a series titled “Advanced Australia where” published last June (2000) in **The Australian** it was suggested that women made up an increasing proportion of this group. It seems that women with high incomes are outsourcing domestic duties such as cleaning, childacre and gardening such jobs are offered to other women but these jobs have relativly poor conditions. Some single parents live in good conditions others live in poor conditions. The question needs to be asked in relation to these single parents; //With marital break ups bringing financial hardship to many what will be the long-term consequences of increasing divorce rates?// Many other individuals are becoming part of this underclass including; some disabled, some elderly people, some individuals with cronical illnesses and some retrenched workers Three aspects need to be assatained in order to answer this question. **A) Determinants of Class** Probert argues that the defining factor of this group is their relationship with employment eg casual, part time, full time ect usually not enjoying the benefits of being a worker in Australia.  This group have low income levels, also hugly affected by the constant contesting and challenging by the government of their welfare support. The decrease in charity support is also largely affecting them. It is suggested that //Australian’s are becoming less generous. Are we becoming less compassionate? If so, could growing individualism, and a diminishing sence of community help explain this change? Is an Australian society becoming ‘disconnected’? Do the upper, middle and working classes feel that they, have little in common with the underclass?//  A sence of not beloning to some members of the underclass mean that they fail to see the true value and benefits of education. Limited aspirations are not because of limited ability but because of limited or no contact to other classes. Anne Katrin-Eckermann from UNE’s Centre for Research in Aboriginal and Multicultural Studies-some indigenous students feel lost and isolated in mainstream schools. // Do our schoolsstill reflect the dominant culture to the detriment of other groups? Are the different learning styles of students from minority group adequately addressed? // The different ways the different classes are treated and the different rights that they have. The identity of underclass is sometimes identified by how others view them. **There is still more to come... There is LOTS!!!!**
 * Structure of the Question **
 * Question 7 **
 * a)   **** Analyse how identity, the effects of discrimination, and degrees of inequality affect ONE group in a society.  **
 * Identity **
 * // Migrants: //**
 * // Indigenous people //**
 * // The working-poor //**
 * Single Parents **
 * What is the identity of this underclass? **
 * i) employment **
 * ii) Income **
 * iii) Education **
 * iv) Power **
 * 1) __  Describe the general topic area  __
 * 2) __  What argument is being made regarding inequality?  __
 * 3) __  List evidence presented in paper to support the arguent  __
 * 4) __  Of what use is this article for a student of S&C?  __
 * 5) __  What criticism would you make of the article?  __