Sociology - Admission/Application Essay Example

Social justice calls for the equality of privileges and opportunities, the protection of human rights and the promotion of the dignity of every individual in the society. History has proven that when social justice is disrupted, the result is conflict and rebellion. This is evident in the 18th and 19th century when inequalities and human right abuses led to the so called “industrial revolution” that later liberated the masses from oppressive working conditions. The uprising moved early church leaders and moral advocators to study and advance theories on social justice in a bid to restore peace and harmony in the community.

Christian and non-Christian churches then invoked social teachings on their members and preached about charity, mercy for the oppressed and spiritual transformation. The wound inflicted by social injustice resulted to organized movements that later caught the attention of political leaders and law makers. Such awakening prompted the passing of laws and conventions for a universal standard of social justice. Cultural diversity is nature to the human race. Man’s interaction with the environment, the available natural resources, and the historical heritage influence culture.

Since environmental conditions, natural resources, and historical heritage differ from one place to another, there is not a single culture that fits all. It uniquely identifies one society from another; each is a complement of the other and is not a threat or a competition. Our body is made up of different parts and yet each part is not independent of the other. The same is true with cultural diversity. The United Nations aptly referred to this as the “cultural pluralism” of the human race.

Each culture is a part of man’s existence and should therefore be accepted and accorded human dignity. Culture evolves as interactions between different cultures occur. But history tells us that interaction between diverse cultures had resulted to cultural clashes, war, and countless deaths. Social justice should address conflicts originating from cultural diversity. There should be no conflict where there is timely dialogue, acceptance, and understanding. Human dignity and each one’s right to life should be upheld.

Social justice should protect and preserve human dignity. International conventions drafted into Law the Universal Declaration of Human Rights thus providing an international framework for all societies to observe whether or not one believes in One Supreme being in whose likeness man is created with the inherent qualities of wisdom, sense of justice, power and love. 2) What do you see as the most pressing issue and/or issues facing our society today? Include abuse of prescription drugs as one issue.

In what ways should we as social workers respond to these issues? Our society today is challenged by universal evils causing anxiety and misery to a vast majority of the population. Among the most pressing issues are increasing crime and violence, drug abuse including abuse of prescription drugs, disintegrating family structure, unemployment, and global warming; to name just a few. From my childhood and until now, I have seen if not heard countless counts of crime and violence indiscriminately committed against children, women, students, teachers,