Monday, February 28, 2011

Poverty

What is Poverty?
It is having no power, no control of your life and you live life as if it is your last. A country may not be able to support itself economically and so can lead to war or civil unrest. Poverty is often experienced by certain people of society e.g. certain social groups.
Absolute Poverty:
Absolute poverty measures the number of people living below a certain income threshold or the number of households unable to afford certain basic goods and services.
Relative Poverty:
Relative poverty measures the extent to which a household’s financial resources falls below an average income threshold for the economy. Although living standards and real incomes have grown because of higher employment and sustained economic growth over recent years, the gains in income and wealth have been unevenly distributed across the population.

The cycle of poverty has been described as a phenomenon where poor families become trapped in poverty for generations.
Because they have no or limited access to critical resources, such as
·         Education and
·         Financial services
Subsequent generations are also impoverished.
There are multiple cycles of poverty-based on among other things,
  • economic
  • social
  • spiritual and
  • geographical factors
Many cycles overlap or perpetuate new cycles and therefore any attempt to depictthe cycle of poverty will be far more simplistic than realistic.



The figure below shows-in very simplistic terms-how a cycle of poverty related to hunger keeps a person or household poor in one of the world's developing countries

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Social Justice: Catholic Themes

Social Justice
Social Justice concerns itself with our responsibility to ensure that all people are given a ‘fair go’.
Some issues that social justice aims to cover are;
Ø  Poverty
Ø  Child Labour
Ø  Refugees
Ø  Homelessness
Ø  Hunger
Dignity of the Human Person
Dignity- human dignity is the foundation of Catholic Social teaching. This is based on the idea that the person is made in the image of God.
Question
2. In your own words explain what is meant by human dignity?
Human dignity is having self –respect and decency in yourself and for others.
Common Good and Community
Humans are sacred and social, we have and achieve together, and humans must be valued in the wider community.
Option for the Poor
Society must consider and help the poor. Governments especially, must help the poor.
Questions
1. Give an example of a community that you are a part of.  
I’m part of the Stella Maris community, netball team and futsal team.                                                                         
2. How is the community both sacred and social?
The community is sacred and social because as one we are stronger, able to support each other and live out the word of God together.
3. What is the major test of a moral society?
The society should be democratic, people with special needs should be given attention and wealth should be distributed equally.
4. In what way does our community look after the poor?

Donations are given and charity organisations are helping the poor.
Rights and Responsibilities
Human dignity can be protected only if human rights and responsibilities are met. These rights include food, shelter, clothing employment, health care and education. Our responsibilities are to one another, our families and to the larger society.
Role of Government
People have the right and responsibility to participate in political institutions s the government can achieve its goals and human dignity can be promoted.
Economic Justice
In the economy workers have a right to productive work, decent/fair wages, safe working conditions, to join/organize unions, economic initiative and private property; people aren’t allowed to amass excessive wealth when others lack basic necessities.
Stewardship of God’s Creation
When we use the world’s goods we have to respect them as God’s gifts. We have a responsibility to care for these goods as stewards and trustees, not as mere consumers and users.
Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
Peace and justice is dependent upon right order among people. "Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.”
Participation
It is a demand of justice, requirement of human dignity and a right that everyone should be able to participate in economic, political and cultural life in the community.
Global Solidarity and Development
Global development must respect and promote personal, social, economic and political rights. Countries should be equally developed and wealth should be shared.
Questions
2. Why is it wrong to exclude people from participating in society?
Because there should be equality in the world, everyone should have equal rights and be able to have a say on what happens in their community.




Social Justice Prezi: Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is a major issue, especially in third world countries. The physical qualities and historical responsibilities of each gender attribute to why there is inequality between sexes.

In many countries women aren't given or able gain any powerin the government which makes it difficult to change the situation. Approximately 70%  of the World's poor people are female and in Niger, 1 in 7 women die of maternal death. In Third world countries, women are treated differently to men and poorly in terms of education, health and legal rights. In the past more so, but still now in poorer countries women are often paid less than men, forced to marry, not given the same education opportunities, forced to work as a slave or sexually/physically abused.

Gender Equality refers to the equal valuing of men and women and their contribution to society. It allows each gender to overcome prejudice and have fair opportunities in life. There are many people and organisations helping to reduce gender inequality and promote gender equality.

Some things that are being done about gender inequality include:
  • International Womens Day highlights equal rights for women
  • International day for the elimination of violence against women
  • The Australian agency for International development is working with other countries to address inequality
  •  Goal 3 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals is to promote gender equality and empower women

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Lady of Justice

The time honoured symbol of justice in the West is the Lady of Justice (adapted from Greek and Roman mythology) depicted as a blind-folded woman with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other. 

This stands for equality in the dispensation of Justice or prejudice.

The scales the Lady of Justice holds symbolise fair and unbiased justice and law enforcement and the sword symbolise the power of those who make these decisions.

Introduction to Social Justice

The protection of the rights of all human beings, irrespective of
  • race
  • colour
  • religion
  • nationality
  • language


Is central to any conception of justice.

Justice can be defined as
                             
                           'the morally correct state of persons and their affairs.'

From a practical point of view, justice demands
  • equality
  • objectivity
  • fair dealing