Equal human rights for all seems like it would be simple enough. However, there are vast social justice issues that plague countries around the globe. Learn what social justice is and how it has morphed over the years, as well as explore several examples of social justice issues affecting our world both historically and today.
Examples of Social Justice Issues Facing the World
Advertisement
Global Social Justice Issues
When you look at social justice, it is all about equality. To be socially just, every individual must be treated equitably and fairly by society.
Unfortunately, around the world, this utopian ideal is far from reality. Social injustices can happen at small and global scales, in schools and by whole diverse groups. Whether it is the segregation of an entire cultural group or bullying in the hallways of a school because of your sexual orientation, social injustice is everywhere.
Changing Face of Social Justice
With the modern era, the face of social justice has changed. While rallies and marches are still prevalent, the Internet is also used to bring social justice issues to light. This can be seen through movements like #blacklivesmatter and the #metoo movement against sexual harassment. These campaigns work to expand issues into bigger movements that rally activists together.
Now that you know what social justice is and how it's changed, it's time to take a look at a few historical and modern examples.
Racial Discrimination
While several global organizations are looking to provide equal rights to all, racial discrimination is still a hot topic. There are laws in place around the world, but incidents still happen to illustrate that racial discrimination has not been irradiated. Here, explore a few specific examples of racial discrimination.
Slavery
An ultimate example of racial discrimination was slavery, which was abolished in America in 1865. African Americans and people of color were forced into servitude on homes and farms, and they were treated deplorably.
You would think that slavery was a non-issue in current culture. However, it is still a social injustice issue found around the world. As of 2017, according to Free the Slaves, 40 million people around the world were still trapped in some form of slavery, including marriage slavery and forced labor.
Stereotyping
Stereotyping is something that can happen to any racial group. While there is positive and negative stereotyping, both can have consequences in a society. For example, since 9/11, Muslims have faced discrimination and prejudice in America, sparked by fears of terrorism and acts committed by the Taliban.
Advertisement
Segregation
A famous historical example was the segregation of Black Americans in the U.S. via Jim Crow laws. Black Americans were required to use specific schools, houses, and medical services, among other institutions and facilities, that were separate and of lesser quality than white Americans.
Another famous example of segregation was apartheid in South Africa. Many civil rights movements were founded on the unequal treatment and segregation of a cultural or racial group.
Ageism
Discrimination comes in all shapes and sizes. The number of birthdays that you have accumulated is another example. Ageism, where the elderly are discriminated against, creates negative stereotypes of the elderly being weak, feeble, or unable to change. A few examples include being denied work and or being seen as a burden to society.
Denied Work
Many times, the elderly are forced into retirement or looked over for work. For example, workers that are over 60 years of age may be asked to retire from their career. They may be laid off to bring in younger, less experienced workers. Those who do contractual work, like farming, may be looked over because of their age, leaving them with little way to support their families.
Seen as a Burden
An older individual might also be seen as a burden by their family and their society. For example, many neighborhoods tailor themselves to younger generations through playgrounds and new-age restaurants. Those of advanced age may be put into a nursing home or retirement community the moment that society sees them as being no longer useful. However, Senior Lifestyle has shown that children who grow up with an older individual can benefit tremendously.
Advertisement
Sexuality and Gender
Beyond discrimination based on age, other hot topics both currently and historically are gender and sexuality. In recent years, gender has morphed into a complicated topic that goes beyond the binary designations of male and female. Explore how these issues can affect work life, school and even your home.
Wage Gap
When it comes to wages in the workplace, there is a noticeable differentiation between men and women. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), in 2018, the gender pay gap from men and women for the same job was 82 percent. Stated simply, women make 82 percent of what men make doing the same work. This can be further broken down into a pay gap for minority men and women.
LGBTQ Oppression
When it comes to oppression and human rights, individuals of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Queer (LGBTQ) community face several forms of social injustice and oppression. For example, same sex marriages are outlawed in some states and countries. Additionally, transsexual students often face discrimination and bullying within school settings.
Education System
Globally, steps are being made to close the education gap between male and female students. However, there are still several areas around the world where girls may never set foot into a classroom at all. UNESCO notes that more than nine million girls never go to school, compared to only six million boys in areas of Africa.
Advertisement
Child Welfare
Social workers and human rights activists are working tirelessly to combat issues relating to children and their welfare. Despite their efforts, there are still several problems children face that are harmful to their health and mental wellbeing.
Forced Child Labor
Laws are in place around the world to ensure a safe work environment for children. These laws were drafted from historically harsh and dangerous working conditions for children. While many would like to believe that child labor is a thing of the past, it persists in some areas around the globe.
As an example, India still has children working in forced labor, producing carpets, clothing, footwear and yarn. Not only are conditions unhealthy and unsafe, but the work hours are also very long.
Child Abuse and Neglect
Thousands of children globally are being neglected. They're also being physically, sexually and emotionally abused. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that as many as a quarter of adults have been abused as children. This abuse has both social and economic impacts that include mental health problems.
Civil Rights for Exceptional Students
Many laws have been passed over the years to help enable students with special needs, like those with autism or ADHD. This wasn't always the case, however. Prior to laws like No Child Left Behind and Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), many children were simply neglected in their education or they were shuffled into special schools and asylums if they had learning disabilities.
While the world is making progressive steps toward equality for exceptional students, many point out how labeling and stereotyping a child based on their disability can have lasting, negative effects. Additionally, many countries around the world lack any adaptive services or special education for exceptional children.
Advertisement
Poverty and Economic Injustice
Poverty and economic injustice is a pressing issue for human rights and social justice. Not only do men, women and children in the U.S. and abroad lack access to housing and food, but many also lack access to the basic human necessity of clean water. Dive into social injustice issues created by poverty.
Lack of Resources
When you think of poverty, you might think of having little food or maybe living in a homeless shelter. However, the sad truth is that many individuals don't have access to food, clean water, schooling, healthcare or even sanitation at all.
According to The World Counts, more than 485,000 children die from lack of food, shelter or clean water each year. Within the U.S. alone, more than two million children lack clean water, especially Native Americans.
Quality Healthcare
Poverty and disease go hand in hand. Access to quality healthcare is harder when your income is lower, but access to quality food is diminished too. This means heart disease and diabetes are more likely among impoverished individuals.
While there are programs in America for those in poverty, these programs are far from perfect. This means that many poor individuals will go without basic care. Globally, among poorer communities, finding access to healthcare or doctors is nearly non-existent. The World Bank and WHO state that nearly half the world lacks essential health services access.
Social Justice Warrior: Not Always a Good Thing
Looking at the term "social justice warrior," you would think that it is a good thing. According to its most basic definition, a social justice warrior is someone who fights social injustices around the world.
However, the term itself has taken on a negative connotation recently because of the types of people who are called social justice warriors. These are typically online bloggers or activists who jump on the bandwagon of the most recent social injustice. They then get into overzealous debates that appeal to emotions over logic.
A social justice warrior is seen as a self-righteous individual, someone who is looking for online attention rather than promoting the actual cause.
Advertisement
Human Rights for All
Creating human rights for all isn't as easy as one might think. Rather, it is a long, involved process with new social justice issues coming to the surface daily. When it comes to social justice, explore examples of courage to see how you can make a change. You can also explore customs, traditions and values from different cultures, like the meaning of the Kwanzaa holiday, to better understand others. From there, you can choose a social justice topic for an essay that dives deeper into the idea.
Jennifer Betts
Staff Writer
FAQs
What is an example of a social justice issue? ›
There are so many social justice issues out there that you can help with, such as voting rights, refugee crises, workers' rights, economic justice, healthcare, hunger, education, gun violence, and more. And these issues often overlap with each other and touch the people we care about.
What are social justice issues in the world? ›The Biggest Social Justice Issues We Face Today
The Black Lives Matter movement has brought issues such as systematic racism, police brutality, and social inequity to the forefront once again. Issues such as wars, food insecurity, poverty, and climate change are more important than ever.
“Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.” National Association of Social Workers.
What is the biggest social injustice in the world? ›Racial inequality is one of the most common social justice issues in the world. Most nations have a history of racial discrimination and prejudice of some kind. As an example, the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow persists in the United States.
What are three examples of social injustice? ›Three common examples of social injustice include: discrimination, ageism and homophobia.” According to Quora.com, “Social injustice issues would be things like unfair labor practices, racial discrimination, discrimination due to gender, orientation, ethnicity, age.
What makes a social justice issue? ›Social justice is a type of justice rooted in the idea that all people should have equal rights, opportunity and treatment. Definition of social injustice: Social injustice is when actions are taken that infringe upon a group's rights, marginalize their opportunities or treat them unfairly.
Is education a social justice issue? ›While at first social justice centered mostly on wealth and property, it now encompasses more areas such as the environment, race, gender, and education.
What are the 4 types of social justice? ›This article points out that there are four different types of justice: distributive (determining who gets what), procedural (determining how fairly people are treated), retributive (based on punishment for wrong-doing) and restorative (which tries to restore relationships to "rightness.") All four of these are ...
Which event is an example of justice in a society? ›Which event is an example of justice in a society? Someone who commits a crime is punished in the same way as another person who commits the same crime.
What is social justice for students? ›Social justice is about distributing resources fairly and treating all students equitably so that they feel safe and secure—physically and psychologically.
What are ethical issues of social justice? ›
Ethical issues may arise when social workers are engaged in social justice activities. These ethical issues can include challenges to boundaries, creation of perceived or actual conflicts of interest, concerns regarding client privacy and confidentiality, and perceptions of unprofessionalism.
How does social justice help fight social challenges? ›However, some ways in which social justice could help to fight social challenges include by promoting equality and fairness, by working to end discrimination and oppression, and by ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities to thrive in society.
How can social justice help fight social challenges Brainly? ›Answer. Answer: Social justice can help to fight social challenges by providing society with equal opportunities to overcome its problems.
What are the types of social justice? ›- Race.
- Gender.
- Age.
- Sexual Orientation.
- Religion.
- Nationality.
- Education.
- Mental or Physical Ability.
Poverty, unemployment, unequal opportunity, racism, and malnutrition are examples of social problems. So are substandard housing, employment discrimination, and child abuse and neglect. Crime and substance abuse are also examples of social problems.
Is smoking a social justice issue? ›Tobacco is not an equal opportunity killer. Black Americans and vulnerable populations targeted by the tobacco industry – including LGBTQ individuals, women, youth, members of the military and those with mental health conditions – have long faced a disproportionate burden from tobacco-related diseases and death.
How do you write a social justice essay? ›- Brainstorm creatively. The quality of your paper depends a lot on the quality of your topic. ...
- Narrow your topic. Once you identify a topic you want to write about, it's time to narrow its scope. ...
- Have a purpose. ...
- Highlight your strongest argument. ...
- Be specific. ...
- Consider collaboration.
Some of America's most pressing social issues are refugees and immigration, poverty and economic insecurity, racial discrimination, climate change, and rising healthcare costs.
What are the 5 principles of social justice? ›- Access. Access to resources is a fundamental principle of social justice. ...
- Equity. It's easy to confuse the terms 'equity' and 'equality,' but those things which are equitable are not always equal. ...
- Diversity. ...
- Participation. ...
- Human Rights.
Poverty is injustice.
And the principles of social justice are simple: All people are equal. All people deserve the same rights. And all people deserve to be treated with dignity. Each day, we can choose to ignore inequality.
Why should students learn about social justice? ›
Research says, working for justice, engaging in activism, helps students build skills like leadership and critical thinking, and it correlates positively with their political participation and their civic engagement and their commitment to their communities later in life.
What are social issues essay? ›It refers to an unwanted situation that frequently results in problems and continues to harm society. Social issues can cause a lot of problems that can be beyond the control of just one person. Through an essay on social issues, we will learn why they are harmful and what types of social issues we face.
What are examples of justice? ›An example of justice is someone being set free from prison after dna evidence shows they are innocent. Justice includes the notion of upholding the law, as in the work of police, judges and the court.
What are social issues? ›Social issues are topics or subjects that impact many people. They often reflect current events but also represent longstanding problems or disagreements that are difficult to solve. Beliefs, opinions, and viewpoints can be strong, and debate on these topics is a natural outcome of public discourse.
What are some social justice issues for kids? ›These characteristics include race (racism), age (ageism), gender (sexism), religion, and sexuality (heterosexism). Social justice issues happen on a global scale, meaning they affect people all over the world. They can also take place in one particular country or city.
Is abuse a social justice issue? ›Therefore, child abuse should be regarded as a social justice matter that requires the efforts of not only governments but also other actors in society. Social justice ought to promote equality, non-discrimination, and respect for human dignity for all including children.
What is an example of social justice in social work? ›Social justice examples in social work include making sure the children get equal opportunities, participation in decision making, and that they are provided with the necessities to thrive. By promoting social justice in social work, social workers also enhance the social welfare of their underage charges.
Is food insecurity a social justice issue? ›As we have defined food insecurity as a symptom of a “social disease,” we suggest the solution to cure and prevent this disease includes policies that encompass both social justice and social and health inequalities.
Is crime a social issue? ›Crime is deemed by many, if not most, people to be one of the most disquieting social problems. However, most people are more familiar with myths about crime rather than about its realities.
How do you use social justice in the classroom? ›The first way to promote social justice in the classroom is to create a community of conscience. This environment ensures that students' voices, opinions and ideas are valued and respected by their instructor and peers.
What are the social justice standards? ›
The Social Justice Standards are comprised of anchor standards and age-appropriate learning outcomes divided into four domains—Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action (IDJA).
What is social justice in life orientation? ›Social justice is a political and philosophical movement aiming for a more division of resources and opportunities. By addressing historical injustices and directing resources to underserved communities, social justice advocates hope to establish a more fair and equal society.
What are the 6 types of justice? ›- Distributive justice.
- Environmental justice.
- Injustice.
- Occupational injustice.
- Open justice.
- Organizational justice.
- Poetic justice.
- Social justice.
In this lesson, you will first explore the concept of justice by identifying and then analyzing three types of problems that raise issues of distributive, corrective, and procedural justice.
What are the 3 principles of social justice? ›There are four interrelated principles of social justice; equity, access, participation and rights.
What is an example of justice in ethics? ›Rules that prevent smoking in residents' rooms are enforced without exception as dictated by the principle of Justice, thereby restricting individual autonomy. Therefore, Justice demands that one's right to exercise Autonomy is limited when it affects the safety and well-being of another person.
What is social justice in community development? ›Social Justice: for radical community development social justice aims to. create worth, equal rights, opportunities for all and the elimination of. inequalities reinforced by poverty. ( Commission for Social Justice, 1994)
Why justice is important in our life? ›Justice is one of the most important moral values in the spheres of law and politics. Legal and political systems that maintain law and order are desirable, but they cannot accomplish either unless they also achieve justice.
How do I teach my child social justice? ›- Expose Your Child to Diversity. ...
- Make the Most of Teaching Moments. ...
- Engage in Charitable Giving and Related Discussions. ...
- Talk About the News. ...
- Teach Anti-Bias Lessons.
Education generally aims at self-realization, better human relations, individual and national efficiency, effective citizenship, national consciousness, national unity as well as towards social, cultural, economic, political, scientific and technological progress (Kalusi, 2010).
What are the principles of social justice in education? ›
- Inclusion and Equity. ...
- High Expectations. ...
- Reciprocal Community Relationships. ...
- System-wide Approach. ...
- Direct Social Justice Education and Intervention.
Social injustice can affect many areas of society by contributing to civil unrest, ill health, and inappropriate sentencing in the criminal justice system. Many avenues are available to combat social injustice, but individuals and groups must determine how best to use the resources available to them to fight injustice.
What is social justice and human rights? ›Social Justice is all about working towards a more equal society. Part of this is ensuring that people are treated with dignity and respect by those with public power, also the main goal of human rights.
What are the sources of social justice? ›The five main principles of social justice include access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights.
What are the social issues of poverty? ›Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as the lack of participation in decision-making. Various social groups bear disproportionate burden of poverty.
What do you understand by social justice? ›“Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.” “Social justice encompasses economic justice.
Why are laws important for social justice? ›Through creating, enforcing and upholding these laws, the government can control the activities of individuals or private companies to ensure social justice.
How can we take action on social justice issues today? ›- Examine your beliefs and habits. ...
- Educate yourself about social justice issues. ...
- Discover your local organizations. ...
- Take positive action in your own community. ...
- Harness the power of social media. ...
- Attend demonstrations and protests. ...
- Volunteer. ...
- Donate.
Social justice in health care translates to the delivery of high-quality care to all individuals. Achieving social justice is critical in health care to ensure that all individuals can maintain their highest level of health and wellness.
How can you show that you value justice in your day to day life? ›- Spread the word. ...
- Listen more. ...
- Attend a rally. ...
- Reclaim your community. ...
- Volunteer. ...
- Support local organisations. ...
- Adopt a politician. ...
- Embrace diversity.
What are four social issues? ›
Some of America's most pressing social issues are refugees and immigration, poverty and economic insecurity, racial discrimination, climate change, and rising healthcare costs.
Is education a social justice issue? ›While at first social justice centered mostly on wealth and property, it now encompasses more areas such as the environment, race, gender, and education.
Which event is an example of justice in a society? ›Which event is an example of justice in a society? Someone who commits a crime is punished in the same way as another person who commits the same crime.
Is abuse a social justice issue? ›Therefore, child abuse should be regarded as a social justice matter that requires the efforts of not only governments but also other actors in society. Social justice ought to promote equality, non-discrimination, and respect for human dignity for all including children.
Which is the best example of a social issue? ›Poverty, unemployment, unequal opportunity, racism, and malnutrition are examples of social problems. So are substandard housing, employment discrimination, and child abuse and neglect. Crime and substance abuse are also examples of social problems.
What are the types of social justice? ›- Race.
- Gender.
- Age.
- Sexual Orientation.
- Religion.
- Nationality.
- Education.
- Mental or Physical Ability.
Why Is Social Justice Important? Social justice promotes fairness and equity across many aspects of society. For example, it promotes equal economic, educational and workplace opportunities. It's also important to the safety and security of individuals and communities.
What is social justice for students? ›Social justice is about distributing resources fairly and treating all students equitably so that they feel safe and secure—physically and psychologically.
What are examples of justice? ›An example of justice is someone being set free from prison after dna evidence shows they are innocent. Justice includes the notion of upholding the law, as in the work of police, judges and the court.
What are the 4 types of justice? ›This article points out that there are four different types of justice: distributive (determining who gets what), procedural (determining how fairly people are treated), retributive (based on punishment for wrong-doing) and restorative (which tries to restore relationships to "rightness.") All four of these are ...
What is an example of justice in ethics? ›
Rules that prevent smoking in residents' rooms are enforced without exception as dictated by the principle of Justice, thereby restricting individual autonomy. Therefore, Justice demands that one's right to exercise Autonomy is limited when it affects the safety and well-being of another person.
What are the 5 principles of social justice? ›- Access. Access to resources is a fundamental principle of social justice. ...
- Equity. It's easy to confuse the terms 'equity' and 'equality,' but those things which are equitable are not always equal. ...
- Diversity. ...
- Participation. ...
- Human Rights.
But overwhelmingly, what America labels “child maltreatment” is a social justice problem rooted in poverty and racism. We can see this in the fact that most of what we label as child abuse falls under the category we call “neglect” – and most of what we call “neglect” is poverty.
Why child welfare is such an important social justice issue? ›Child welfare services work to provide necessary care for the child as well as prevent neglect and abuse, provide support for the child and their Kin if they have been removed from their parents and to protect the child from harm.
Is childhood trauma a social issue? ›Childhood trauma is still a common social and psychological problem.