Notions of Race Have Significantly in Formed the Developments of Social Policy - Essay Example

“The subject addresses pressing policy problems in areas like child welfare, education, health and employment, drawing on British and comparative experience. It takes an inter-disciplinary approach to issues such as reforming welfare, promoting diversity, reducing inequalities or improving service provision. A principal concern is an analytic and normative examination of the development of welfare states”.
However, it is stated in (Welfare and Society) that “Social policy draws on sociology to explain the social context of welfare provision. If we are trying to improve people's welfare, it is helpful to try to understand something about the way that people are, and how welfare policies relate to their situation”.

MULTICULTURALISM:
Is the basic element under Social Policy that needed to make analyzed, including its policies and much other aspects related to it? (Defining Multiculturalism, 2006.) “Multiculturalism, at its most basic essence, as it has meant to us this past year, means tolerance and understanding, if not acceptance, of other ideas and beliefs in different cultures. It means celebrating what is common in our cultural heritage and gaining genuine knowledge of what is different. It means banishing stereotypes yet working with diverse strengths”.
Professor Gregory Joy (2002) states that “Historically, "multiculturalism" came into wide public use during the early 1980s in the context of public school curriculum reform. Specifically, the argument was made that the content of classes in history, literature, social studies, and other areas reflected what came to be called a "Eurocentric" bias. Few if any women or people of color, or people from outside the Western European tradition, appeared prominently in the curriculums of schools in the United States. This material absence was also interpreted as a value judgment that reinforced unhealthy ethnocentric and even racist attitudes”.
MULTICULTURAL POLICY:
Denis Ralph (1996), in National Agenda for Multicultural Australia, states Policies Principles. “Cultural identity: the right of all children, students, families and employees to maintain, develop and renew, and not merely preserve, their cultural and linguistic heritage
• Access and equity: the right of all children, students, families and employees to equality of opportunity, ready and appropriate access to care and education services and equitable outcomes
. Maximizing potential: the right of all children and students to quality education and care that provides knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to participate effectively in culturally and linguistically diverse societies on a national and international level”.

CRTICISM ON MULTICULTURALISM
Meanwhile, despite the advantages of its policies, there is lot of criticism surrounding the implementation of multiculturalism.
(Christine Ingline) mentions that “One of the strongest statements of the dangers inherent in cultural diversity is Huntington's highly contentious thesis on the clash of civilizations in which religion is argued to play a crucial role. The theoretical support for this and similar expressions of fear about the continuing threats to social cohesion posed by ethnic and cultural diversity derives from one strand of theorizing about modernity. Contrary to the earlier theories on the declining importance of ethnicity, it is argued that the contemporary processes of modernization and globalization are actively contributing to the growing importance of ethnicity and the increased significance of communitarian ties.”
(Christine Ingline) added, “For some critics of multiculturalism, however, their critique is directed at what they perceive to be the outcome of the implementation of multicultural policies. Thus assertions that educational reforms in the USA which allow for the inclusion of alternative perspectives into the history or literature curriculum are leading to the disuniting of American society, or the undermining of the foundations of Western civilization, is clearly a response to shifts in educational programs and practice (e.g. Schlesinger 1992). It is also true that advocates of such changes frequently justify their appeals by reference to multiculturalism”.

CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, there is a need to assess how successful was Multiculturalism, or its failures as well. To the Canadian people, Multiculturalism was very successful indeed. (Rifa Ahmad) states that “Multiculturalism has affected Canadian individuals in a profound way by changing their values for the better. With a policy of multiculturalism, Canadians are forced to live in a society made up of people of contrasting cultures, values, and beliefs. This interaction results in toleration between these groups. With Canadians’ toleration of other culturally diverse groups comes a changing perspective, and increased respect for differing lifestyles. As a result, more Canadians feel that everyone has the right to think and behave in a manner according to their conscience.