Social Policy Theories And Concepts: Social Policies Stigmatize People
Social Policy Theories and Concepts Essay
What do you understand by ‘Stigma’ and do you agree that social policies can stigmatize people? If so, what is the solution?
In this essay I will discuss what my understanding of the word ‘Stigma’ is, whether I agree or not if social policies stigmatize certain groups of people and if so, what are the solutions to these stigmas attached to these groups. “Stigma is a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart. When a person is labelled by their illness they are seen as part of a stereotyped group. Negative attitudes create prejudice which leads to negative actions and discrimination” (www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au). In modern society, stigmas are nearly almost of a negative kind. They have a negative …show more content…
When discussing stigma, it is important to mention the Poor Law. The stigma of the Poor Law is renowned. In the past and in many cases still today, people often judged others who claimed money from the state in the form of benefits and there was a policy that marked these people off from others in society. This left us with the debate whether or not welfare should be provided, to whom it should be provided and what kind of welfare? This concept of the “undeserving” and “lazy” public who refused to work was thought to be ethically corruptible by people relying on the state and not seeking to improve their independent source of income or by any policy of substantial kindness. The last remnants of the Poor Law were scrapped in 1948. “The stigma of pauperism, which had seemed to be the result of a conscious policy, has proved resilient to eradication.” (Spicker, Paul, Stigma and Social Welfare, 1984, p 9) over the past few years, people have begun to move away from the idea of the Poor Law and have begun to accept how social policies deal with groups of people who do not receive adequate independent income, although there will always be slight stigmas attached to these groups. It is hard to understand why this is so, when cautionary policies have been deserted, right to benefits established, and the administration of benefits has significantly
What do you understand by ‘Stigma’ and do you agree that social policies can stigmatize people? If so, what is the solution?
In this essay I will discuss what my understanding of the word ‘Stigma’ is, whether I agree or not if social policies stigmatize certain groups of people and if so, what are the solutions to these stigmas attached to these groups. “Stigma is a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart. When a person is labelled by their illness they are seen as part of a stereotyped group. Negative attitudes create prejudice which leads to negative actions and discrimination” (www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au). In modern society, stigmas are nearly almost of a negative kind. They have a negative …show more content…
When discussing stigma, it is important to mention the Poor Law. The stigma of the Poor Law is renowned. In the past and in many cases still today, people often judged others who claimed money from the state in the form of benefits and there was a policy that marked these people off from others in society. This left us with the debate whether or not welfare should be provided, to whom it should be provided and what kind of welfare? This concept of the “undeserving” and “lazy” public who refused to work was thought to be ethically corruptible by people relying on the state and not seeking to improve their independent source of income or by any policy of substantial kindness. The last remnants of the Poor Law were scrapped in 1948. “The stigma of pauperism, which had seemed to be the result of a conscious policy, has proved resilient to eradication.” (Spicker, Paul, Stigma and Social Welfare, 1984, p 9) over the past few years, people have begun to move away from the idea of the Poor Law and have begun to accept how social policies deal with groups of people who do not receive adequate independent income, although there will always be slight stigmas attached to these groups. It is hard to understand why this is so, when cautionary policies have been deserted, right to benefits established, and the administration of benefits has significantly