The Exlusive Guest List of Canada's Immigration Policy

Immigration policy in Canada has often operated like an invite list to an exclusive club.  Canada has its select guest list, and often those who are viewed as “unacceptable” are not allowed access into the country.  We let those in who have money, and those who have an established family here, but for those who are on their own or for those with disabilities the wait in line is often a long one. 

Often the immigration laws in Canada reflect prevailing attitudes of the time.  In 1939 Canada refused entry of the M.S. St. Louis, a ship filled with Jewish refugees from Europe.  The ship had previously attempted to dock in Cuba, and America before turning to Canada as its last hope for asylum.  However, due to the prevailing anti-Semitism attitudes of the time hundreds of Jewish passengers had no where else to go except back to Europe.  As a result, 254 of the 620 passengers died unnecessarily in the Holocaust, and the remaining endured 6 long years of war (M.S. St. Louis, 2010).

This isn’t the only instance where Canada has denied entry for those who clearly need it most.  The Canadian Council for Refugees (2000) noted that in 1923 Canada enacted the “Chinese Immigration Act”, which essentially led to the prohibition of those with Chinese origin into the country, as well as charging a head tax on those immigrants who could least afford it. 

And so, the exclusive guest list continues.  Thousands have applied for access into Canada on refugee status, many from war torn countries like Afghanistan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Iraq, or the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Often, many of these claimants suffer from physical disabilities, largely as a consequence of war. As Canada’s immigration policy stands now, Canada has the right to refuse entry into the country based on physical and mental disabilities of the applicants.  The reasoning being, people with physical disabilities are believed to place an “excessive burden on the country's health-care system”, and thus deemed undesirable members of society. (Kondro, 2002, p.240)

But then what is the fate for these people in their home countries?  Often the infrastructure of war torn nations is ill-equipped to deal with the demands of a physical disability.  I understand that Canada is attempting to protect a drain from it’s social services by barring those with physical disabilities entry, but at the same time, can this country in good conscious allow these people to be condemned? 

-Erin R.

Bibliography

Canadian Council for Refugees.  (2000).  Report on Systemic Racism and Discrimination

in Canadian Refugee and Immigration Policies.  Canada: Canadian Council for

Refugees (CCR).  Retrieved from http://www.ccrweb.ca/arreport.PDF

Kondro, Wayne.  (2002).  Canadian prohibition against immigrants with disabilities is

challenged.  Lancet, 359, 240.

M.S. St. Louis.  (2010).  Retrieved November 27, 2010, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_St._Louis

Brian Sinclair

Brian Sinclair, a 45-year-old double amputee with a speech problem, was found dead in his wheelchair after spending 34 hours in the Health Science Center’s emergency waiting room, without receiving treatment on September 2008.  His death could’ve been easily prevented had he received a simple catheter change and antibiotics. 
Read more: http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/health/Winnipeg+police+launch+criminal+probe+into+death+waited+hours/3680317/story.html

Mr. Sinclair’s tragic death is one that calls attention to a bigger problem in the Canadian healthcare system, the disparity of how it is distributed.  The Government of Canada stated that they are committed to provide effective programming; still the average health status of First Nation Peoples in Canada is still lower than the remainder of the population. (Curtis, 2007)  

The inequalities in health between Canadians should be seen in a larger context of inequality of the standard of living that stems from the historical relation between the First Nations People and the nation-state. (Adelson, 2005) The Canadian Diabetes Association stated Aboriginal people are three times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes (Rellinger, 2010).  The disproportional increase of diabetes with First Nations People must be seen in contemporary context; poverty, access to resources, cultural opinion of groceries etc. It is not just genetics or an inherent Aboriginal trait. (Adelson, 2005) Diabetes is often the cause for the need for amputation (“Canadian Diabetes Association”, 2010) a physical disability that for the most part could’ve been prevented had it received proper care.   

How can Canada's claim to be a fair and enlightened society (“the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples”, 1996) be achieved through social policies when those implementing the policies may have a subconscious bias towards First Nations People? Stereo typing Mr. Sinclair as homeless, who was just looking for warmth within the hospital or other preconceptions of him are possibilities as to why he did not receive the proper quality of care. “What we really have here is a combination of a lot of people who made various assumptions that led to a tragic end,” said Jan Currie, the authority’s chief nursing officer (Puxley, 2009)

We need to examine holistically the causes of health problems within the First Nations community, and how to alleviate the disparities of quality health care within Canada.

 Holly L

References:

Adelson, N.(2005) The Embodiment of Inequality; Health Disparities in Aboriginal Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health. Mar/Apr 2005, CBCA Complete pg. S45

“Canadian Diabetes Association”(2010) www.diabetes.ca/

Puxley, C (2009, Feb 4) Inquest called into death after 34-hour wait in ER., retrieved from TheStar.Com

Rellinger. P (2010, Nov 8) Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise, retrieved from www.northumberlandnews.com

“Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. People to people, nation to nation: Highlights from the report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples” (1996), retrieved from http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ap/pubs/rpt/rpt-eng.asp

Neo-conservative vs. the physically disabled

Neo-Conservative ideals benefit only a select few in society, this does not include those who are minorities in society, for example people with disabilities.  Balanced budgets and severe limits on government interference, means there is a greater possibility of fluctuation in the market and no money from taxes. Meaning money that is used for compensation and towards pension funds goes can go down, so people may find themselves in poverty after attaining a disability. If we were to believe as the neo-conservatives do, that mankind is inherently self serving then their whole basis for supply side economics wouldn’t work.(Mullally, 2007)  Ruling elite would always want more and that greed wouldn’t allow the wealth of a state to trickle down to all its citizens. The people who are notably more vulnerable become even more so. But this is a “natural” inequality,  and the need for prejudices is a core value of Neo-Conservatism.

 Though people with physical disabilities may fall under the “Deserving Poor” category,(Mullally, 2007) they aren’t seen as an asset to Neo-Con society, and are highly undervalued.  This sentiment is then mirrored through other actions; minimal financial compensation is given and that it is up to the family to provide care.  To be raised in a society that oppresses you rather then uplifts you would be an extremely disheartening life to lead.

The quality of life of any citizen should be the responsibility of their government, it is not a “private” matter as the Neo-Conservatives would have you believe.  There is not enough emotional support programs available and  not enough program openings to accommodate all the children and adults with disabilities that require them.  Social welfare spending would finance these programs; it would also support lower-income households, typically, though not exclusively.("Spending on Social Welfare Programs in Rich and Poor States", 2004) If a physical or mentally disabled person can’t work and are only receiving minimal compensation they would be or likely become part of the lower-income households.  If we are to be judged by how we treat the poorest amongst us, then our claim to high civilization has been challenged by the deteriorating history of our social welfare policy.(Johnston, 1986)  In contrast the Neo-Cons see the welfare state as inefficient and too big and expensive,(Mullally, 2007) preferring to minimize it further and to privatize everything on top of it all.  So that the government doesn’t run the programs but private companies do.

Companies and capitalist corporations often have Neo-Conservative beliefs and would rather limit compensation for disabilities attained during employment.  When profits are at the forefront the conditions and well being of their employees are far behind. Current government intervention may upset the Neo-Conservative but affirmative action policies served as an effective punishment for prejudiced employers,("Affirmative Action has Slipped Off its Foundation", 2010) and encourages them to hire people with a physical disability.

In conclusion a Neo-Conservative state only benefits the "Trumps" of the world, not the average Joes, and certainly not anyone who is unable to meet their standard of “normal” like people with a disability.

Holly L

 

---

References

Anonymous; Affirmative action has slipped off its foundation .Winnipeg Free Press, July 29 2010

Johnston, R.(1986). A Golden Opportunity to Reform Welfare . Toronto Star. Toronto, Ont.: Aug 29, 1986.  pg. A.19

Mullally, B.(2007). The New Structural Social Work. Oxford University Press Canada

Unknown; Spending on Social Welfare Programs in Rich and Poor States(June 30 2004)

Older Persons and Physical Disability

As of 2006, there were about 500 million people aged 65 and older, and there is predicted to be over 1 billion people in this age bracket by the year 2030 (Weir, Meisner, & Baker, 2010).  Since becoming an older person is such a ubiquitous topic, there is no reason or excuse for not having resources and accessibility that provide older persons with the ability to live independently and healthy.

I am currently visiting with a women who is almost 90 through my volunteer organization, who is having a difficult time being on her own.  She is managing, but there are many challenges she is currently facing.  Many of the people she was connected with; her husband, her parents, and most of her siblings, had passed away.  She constantly struggles with being lonely, but there is not much available to her in Winnipeg to help.  She has told me numerous times that she has trouble getting groceries because none of the grocery delivery services will let her order over the phone.  They will delivery groceries to her, but she has to come and pick them out at the store first, which is not an option for someone with a physical disability.  There is also the option of ordering online, but she does not have access to a computer, or even know how to use one.

Since having a physical disability affects so many aspects of a persons life, such as being active, independent, connected with others, etc., physical disability is the biggest factor for lowering life satisfaction in older persons (Mollaoglu, Tuncay & Fertelli, 2010).  This seems like a really big problem because the risk of having a physical disability increases with age.  But this should be encouraging for society to make their communities accessible for everyone, and everyone's life satisfaction will be increased.  It should be easy for older persons to order groceries, communicate with others, and be involved in the community, but so far Winnipeg is not quite there.

In one study, the authors found the best way to increase life satisfaction in older persons was for them to be busy with activities that "give happiness to individuals.  Feeling worthless, nonfunctional and powerless is the greatest handicap in obtaining life satisfaction" (Mollaoglu, Tuncay & Fertelli, 2010, p. 118). 

I completely agree with these statements because I have heard and seen the differences in older persons first hand.  I used to work at the hospital in Gimli in the Adult Day Program (ADP).  The program takes place Monday to Friday from nine in the morning until two in the afternoon, offered to any adults that wish to attend.  Most of the people who attend are older persons without much family support, and usually have physical disabilities.  Much like a school bus, the Handi-van bus picks them up and drops them off whenever they wish to attend.  Working at this job made me very aware of the difficulties older persons face everyday.  The program and hospital were very accessible for people with physical disabilities, as most of the ADP attendants used walkers or wheelchairs.  However, organizing field trips was often the difficult task.  For example, we were going to go for lunch on the River Rouge because it is wheelchair accessible.  But we noticed that many of the women did not sign their name on the attending list.  These women did not feel comfortable going somewhere like this because they do not know if the bathroom is accessible.  Many older persons have had bad experiences with places being wheelchair accessible as to let people with wheelchairs in, but not to accommodate them to every aspect of their organization, such as bars, patios, or in some cases, the bathroom.

The ADP program provides seniors with something to look forward to each week, social support, activities such as crafts, games, exercises, field trips, lunch and snacks, a sense of belonging, and many other benefits.  It just goes to show that with the right program available to older persons, and the accessibility to get there and back without feeling like a burden, older persons can and want to do the same thing everyone else in the world wants; an enjoyable life.  I think Winnipeg needs a lot more services similar to the Adult Day Program that is available in Gimli in order to improve older persons lives.

References:

Mollaoglu, M., Tuncay, F. O., & Fertelli, T. K. (2010). Mobility disability and life satisfaction in elderly people. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 51, 115-119.

Weir, P. L., Meisner, B. A., & Baker, J. (2010). Successful aging across the years : Does one model fit everyone? Journal of Health Psychology, 15(5), 680-687.

-Avery F

Social Democracy and Physical Disability: A Humanist View

We live largely in a capitalist society where individual achievement and success is celebrated and where the strong is heralded. The world is for the most part a world for able-bodied people. Look around, it is not that difficult to imagine how hard it would be to be physically disabled in any way in an able-bodied world. Many places and buildings are still not wheel chair accessible or have little accommodations for the physically disabled. We take for granted that we can go or do whatever it is we please whenever we want. Being physically able-bodied gives us rights and freedoms that we take for granted like being able to drive, go to university, get job or even do something as basic as taking a bath or brushing our teeth. However, the reality for others like those who have physical disabilities is that even the most basic tasks can be difficult or near impossible without someone’s help.

According to Participation and Activity Survey or PALS conducted by Statistics Canada in 2001, “disability related to mobility affects the greatest number of adults”. In the same report it states that almost 2.5 million or 10.5% of Canadians had difficulty walking, climbing stairs etc. and 2.3 million 9.7% of adults had difficulties with everyday activities such as getting dressed or undressed (Statistics Canada, 2001).

People with physical disabilities live a reality that is different and greatly disadvantaged from the able-bodied world. In his article, Empowering People with Disabilities, Malhotra writes that for those people with physical disabilities who do not go to an institution or nursing homes, it is usually family members or friends who take on the role of caring for them, which is unpaid. He also notes that the majority of people with disabilities live in extreme poverty (Malhotra, 2006). Allot of whom if they are unable to work due to their disability live on social assistance.

Who has shaped these policies? Although, our current government is a Conservative government, Canada has predominantly been governed by the Liberal Party since World War II (Mullaly, 2007) and thus, its policies and programs have been mostly  shaped by liberal ideology, wherein the role of the “the social welfare state” is to provide all people with at least “the social minimum” (Mullaly, 2007, p.108).

In my opinion, Canada with views such as I have stated, it is no wonder that our government policies and programs are inadequate and insufficient to take care of the disadvantaged like those who have physical disabilities through no fault of their own.

In light of those issues, we should consider looking at an alternative type of government and ideology such as that of social democracy who believe in “equality of condition” (Mullaly, 2007 p.115) and the belief that “from each according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her needs” (Mullaly, 2007, p. 116) for all citizens. Furthermore, if the government’s ideology is to reduce or do away with all “inequalities of income, opportunities, and living conditions” (Mullaly, 2007, p.125) imagine how that society would be shaped and the quality of life for all individuals including people with physical disabilities would be. This would include better financial support, health related assistance programs and more policies mandating for instance, that all buildings or places have wheelchair accessibility and other accommodations for physically disabled people. Therefore, my sentiment is to lean towards the social democratic ideology and believe that all people including people with physical disabilities deserve the dignity and right to a certain quality of life and opportunities in our society.

References

Malhotra, R. (2006). Empowering People with Disabilities. New Politics, 11 (1), 55. Retrieved from Masterfile database.

Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3^rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press.

Statistics Canada, Participation and Activity Survey. (2001). Profile of Disability In Canada, 2001. Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-577-x/4065022-eng.htm

-Priscilla

Link to PTSD Video

Military reaches out to soldiers with PTSD:
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CanadaAM/20090627/military_stress_090627/

Avery F

Mental and Physical Disability: PTSD and Physical Impairments

Soldiers are trained to be tough and hard-skinned, but not trained much about the emotions and mental stress they are going to experience during training, combat, and returning home.  I have heard more and more about the increases in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among soldiers and veterans that have served or are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.  In my opinion, it is because there is a negative stigma attached to people with disabilities, both physical and mental, as well inadequate mental training, with a focus only on the physical.  People are embarrassed  to be diagnosed with physical or mental disabilities because it is seen as a sign of weakness, minority status, and dependence, when in reality physical and mental disabilities are very common.  As stated in  The Canadian Press (2008), PTSD has tripled since 2002 and is still expected to increase .  However, I am not sure if this increase is because it is now more acceptable to be diagnosed with PTSD, or if more cases of PTSD are now occurring.  Either way, soldiers and veterans still feel they are supposed to stay strong and not talk about their emotions even if they are having a very hard time.


PTSD needs to be taken more seriously among soldiers and veterans and we should not be waiting for them to realize they have PTSD by themselves; there needs to be training before combat, and screening and follow up afterwards no matter what.  Soldiers and veterans may not want to admit they are experiencing flashbacks, guilt, and other negative mental health issues, as well as physical impairments.  One study found that almost 87% of veterans who currently have PTSD also suffer from severe physical pain that was often more severe than neuropathic pain and cancer pain (Poundja, Fikretoglu, Guay, & Brunet, 2007). Not only will they think their mind is weak, they will have the feeling that they cannot cope with physical pain, which is what the military has taught them.  Admitting they have a "weak" mind and body is not something anyone wants to do, especially a soldier or veteran.

On the other side of the spectrum, not only does PTSD cause physical impairment, but 23% of soldiers with traumatic physical injuries in combat develop PTSD (Zatzick, Rivara, Nathens, Jurkovich, Wang, Fan, Russo, Salkever, & Mackenzie, 2007) because the injury serves as a constant reminder of the trauma they have experienced.

In the news segment at the beginning of this post, they offer support and encouragement for soldiers with PTSD to come forward and ask for help (2009).  It is an encouraging start for eliminating PTSD and all the negative issues that accompany the illness, but is it enough?  I feel the only way to possibly change the view of PTSD as a weakness is to start training soldiers about PTSD as soon as they start their physical training.  This way, they know how common it is, they know how damaging it is, and they know lots of other soldiers will go through it as well and will be there for support.  Many soldiers take their lives because of the stressful mental and physical pain they were not trained to deal with, or they never wanted to admit they had a mental and physical problem.  As stated in the CTV news segment, this is hopefully going to change and soldiers will have both the knowledge and resources available before and after combat (2009).

References:

CTV.ca News Staff. (2009, June 28). Military reaches out to soldiers with PTSD [Television

Broadcast]. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CTVNewsAt11/20090627/military_stress_090627/

Poundja, J., Fikretoglu, D., Guay, S., & Brunet, A. (2007). Validation of the French version

of the brief pain inventory in Canadian veterans suffering from traumatic stress. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 33(6), 720-726.

The Canadian Press. (2008, February 29). Reported PTSD cases triple among soldiers since '02. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20080229/ptsd_soldiers_080229/

Wikipedia. (2010). Neuropathic Pain. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropathic_pain

Wikipedia. (2010). Posttraumatic stress disorder. Retrieved November 14, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder

Zatzick, D. F., Rivara, F. P., Nathens, A. B., Jurkovich, G. J., Wang, J., Fan, M., Russo, J., Salkever, D. S., & Mackenzie, E. J. (2007). A nationwide US study of post-traumatic stress after

hospitalization for physical injury. Psychological Medicine 37, 1469-1480.

-Avery F

Ageism and Physical Disabilities

When I was a little kid I really believed my parents were indestructible.  Who else can cure scratched knees, fix the Barbie who’s head fell off, or help you solve those difficult multiplication tables?  But I’m not a little kid anymore.  I’m 22.  And as much as I would like to believe differently, my parents aren’t indestructible.  My Dad has increasing health problems, and my mom now needs glasses to read the things she used to. They aren’t the only ones.  The 2006 Canadian census revealed one in seven people are over the age of 65 ("2006 Census: Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006, by Age and Sex: National portrait", 2006).  With increased age, comes an increased likelihood of physical disabilities, including vision loss, hearing loss, and amputations. According to an article by Beverly E. Holland and Donna R. Falvo (1990), “disability increase with age by about 3 ½ times” (p.32).

However, despite the fact disabilities increase with age, the services and rehabilitation offered to the aging has been shown to decrease.  Compared to young people with physical disabilities, the elderly are significantly overlooked (Holland & Falvo, 1990, p.32).  I believe this has a lot to do with the ageism underlying the formulation of social policies.  For example, in the United States, 85% of amputations occur in the elderly section of the population mainly due to “arteriosclerosis or diabetes” (Holland & Falvo, 1990, p.32).  However, rehabilitation services for this section of the population were largely rejected based on the false assumption that “older individuals would be unable to learn how to use the prosthesis properly, even though there was no evidence to substantiate this claim” (Holland & Falvo, 1990, p.32). 

Age, like disability can be recognized largely as a social construction.  In Old Age and Ageism, Impairment and Ableism: Exploring the Conceptual and Material Connections, Christine Overall argues that the way we see disability, like the way we see age, is only “an impairment due to the social environment in which we live” (Overall, 2006, p.131).  In Canada, and the United States, there remains an underlying assumption that worth decreases with age.  This causes paternalistic attitudes set in as we think we need to care for the elderly like we care for children- with totally disregard for their autonomy or rights.  This ageism, especially coupled with the physical disabilities of many elderly, leads to the creation of many social policies which force retirement or institutionalize of those elderly with physical disabilities instead of focusing on services and rehabilitation which would see them regain their potential (Holland & Falvo, 1990, p.32). 

This is a scary reality.  As my parents get older I would hate to think their chances of accessing services will be significantly lower than those who are younger.  The elderly population is a vulnerable section of this country, and I believe advocacy must be done to raise awareness at provincial and federal levels of government for the need of more services to those elderly who are physically disabled.  Increased age should not automatically be associated with increased dispensability . 

-Erin Roche

Bibliography:

Holland, B. E. & Falvo, D. R. (1990) Forgotten: Elderly Persons With Disability - A

Consequence of Policy.  Journal of Rehabilitation, 56, 32-35.

Overall, C. (2006). Old Age and Ageism, Impairment and Ableism: Exploring the

Conceptual and Material Connections.  NWSA Journal, 18, 126-137.

Statistics Canada. (2006).  2006 Census: Portrait of the Canadian

Population in 2006, by Age and Sex: National portrait. Retrieved from

http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/as-sa/97-551/p3-eng.cfm.

Feminism and Physical Disability: The discouraged option of motherhood

More and more women are focusing on career options and integrating themselves into the workforce (making up 47% of the paid workforce in 2006, up 10% from 1976; Statistics Canada, 2006) with the decision to start a family more often seen now as a side option.  In 2009, 88% of two-parent families in Canada consisted of the mother staying at home to take care of the children (Statistics Canada, 2010).  No matter how many mothers maintain a career and have a family, women are still seen as the primary caregiver of their children. For this reason, mothers are socialized to experience more guilt for having a career and not focusing solely on raising their children, while men feel guilt if they cannot provide adequate financial support for their children. This usually leaves women at home to raise the children, and men in the workplace. Obviously then, motherhood is a demanding and time-consuming position to undertake. For this reason, society not-so-subtly encourages women with disabilities to think twice, or not at all, about motherhood.

 

As Mullaly (2007) states, "Women have the greatest responsibility for the family, including child care" (p.161).  In a country with many conservative thoughts regarding people with disabilities, it is expected that if you cannot take care of yourself, then you are not capable of having children. With society thinking: If a woman with a physical disability has a hard time reaching a shelf at Safeway, how can she possibly take care of her children? Not only are mothers with disabilities facing challenges about their physical disability, they are also trying to prove themselves as mothers to the public (Malacrida, 2009).

There is very little, if any, accessibility for the people with physical disabilities at child playgrounds and play areas in the public (Malacrida, 2009). This may mean that mothers with physical disabilities are forced to let their children go to the park with their friends' mother because they are not accepted in that environment. This can easily be construed by others as the mother with a physical disability being incapable of performing a simple task of motherhood. When the problem should so easily be fixed by making all children facilities disability friendly, not only for the sake of children with disabilities, but for mothers with disabilities as well.

Women with physical disabilities also receive minimal, if any, information about sex and reproduction because they are assumed to not have sex or to become mothers (Collins, 1999). Not only do women with physical disabilities lack the choice of motherhood based on physical barriers, and feel additional pressure and scrutiny from the public, but are also so blatantly made unaware of reproduction so as to set in stone that they will not become mothers.  Every person deserves to make choices that effect and influence their life to such a great extent; people in our society now just need to realize how people with physical disabilities are just as much a person with free will as the rest of us.

References:

Collins, C. (1999). Reproductive Technologies for Women with Physical Disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 17(4), 299-307.

Malacrida, C. (2009). Performing motherhood in a disablist world: dilemmas of motherhood,

femininity and disability. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 22(1), 99- 117.


Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.


Statistics Canada. (1976-2006). Retrieved November 24, 2010, from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89f0133x/89f0133x2006000-eng.htm

Statistics Canada. (2010). Retrieved November 24, 2010, from http://www42.statcan.ca/smr08/2010/smr08_143_2010-eng.htm

-Avery F

Feminist Perspective and the Physically Disabled

So many times we fail to ask ourselves why our system of government works the way it does, and we fail to recognize or challenge many of the oppressive features of these systems we live in.  Our beliefs have consequences.  That is why a feminist theory is a very important perspective.  It draws “attention to the subtle, unconscious, and daily exercise of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors which define and reinforce a despised status” (Robbins et al., 2006, p. 97). 

We read an article in class last week entitled Identifying Gendered Outcomes and Gender-Neutral Policies by Peggy Quinn.  This article really made me reconsider the subtle assumptions behind many of our current social policies, and how these assumptions continue to disenfranchise women. 

Individuals with severe physical impairments require a lot of care.  Tasks we take for granted like bathing or eating often take twice as much time and energy for those with extensive physical disabilities, and often require the help of someone else.  But who will step in to meet these needs?

I don’t believe institutionalizing those with severe physical impairments is the best solution.  These institutions are often over-crowded and under staffed, and the care given to those with disabilities is often far below what it should be.  For those with disabilities, living in sterile institutions, away from the comforts of a family and home can also have adverse effects on mental health.   As well, a stigmatization also comes from keeping those with physical impairments “locked away” and separated from their communities.  And so, as Peggy Quinn points out, social policies like the Community Mental Health Centers Act (CMHC) of 1963, and the Social Security Act Amendments of 1983 were made to return these patients to the “most natural setting possible, which according to the experts who proposed this policy, was the family” (Quinn, 1996, p.197-198).

I agree the ideal place for those who need care is with their families.  However, a feminist perspective encourages us to pay attention to how these social policies may be affecting women.  In our society, gender comes with specific rules and roles one is expected to follow.  One of these assumed gender roles for women is an expectation to selflessly take care of their families, while men are expected to support the family financially.  Peggy Quinn points out, that despite the feminist movements and emergence of women into the workforce, women’s main role is still to provide care to their families- without financial compensation, and often at the cost of their own careers and interests (Quinn, 1996, p. 201).  Will women ever truly become equal citizens if they’re expected to be the primary caregivers as well as maintain a career and family? 

Perhaps the best solution would be for governments to recognize the oppressiveness in these policies lies in the assumption that family care is still women’s work.  Therefore, a revised social policy may consist of governments providing support for these families with well trained and quality in home care in order to relieve the burden on women. That way, those with disabilities can remain in their own environment with people they love, while women will receive the help they need to choose the direction of their own lives, whether it be at home or in the workforce.

-Erin Roche

Bibliography

Quinn, P. (1996). Identifying gendered outcomes of gender-neutral policies. Affilia

11(2), 195-206.

Robbins, S. P., Chatterjee, P.  & Canda, E.  R. (2006). Contemporary Human Behavior Theory: A Critical Perspective for Social Work.  Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Queer Perspectives in Canada

A girl I went to high school with was always made fun of and called a lesbian, though she has never announced this was true. But these students who continuously ridiculed her made her high school experience so much more difficult and depressing due to the fact that hardly anyone accepted her. She had done absolutely nothing to wrong those other students and was a very genuine, good-hearted girl, as well as a straight A student. So by putting her through all of this pain and suffering, people destroyed her self-esteem and self-confidence. This should have never been an issue, whether she is a lesbian or not. People should understand that her sexual orientation, no matter what it is, is as important as their own and they should learn to accept it.

Unfortunately, in our society, many people are homophobic and unaccepting of those who are not heterosexual just like those high school students. But those people who are not heterosexuals are just as important as any person that is! It is unfair that they are looked down upon at all due to this reason. It is simply the way they are, and they should be able to live freely the way they are most comfortable. People tend to look down on people with homosexual or even bisexual orientations so much even though there is nothing wrong with those sexual orientations at all. Heterosexual is considered to be “the norm” and therefore is the only sexual orientation accepted by many people across the world.

This occurs so much that many people view gays, lesbians, and bisexuals as people with disabilities and disorders (who are also wrongfully frowned upon by people, whether it is consciously or not) (Caldwell, 2010). First of all, homosexuality, as well as bisexuality is absolutely not a disorder or a disability at all. People with those sexual orientations are fully-functional people physically and mentally, for the most part. And secondly, it is unfair to frown upon people with disabilities as well. They are also people too and they deserve to be valued as much as anyone else. So to have the mindset that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual is like having a disability is very wrong and it is just as wrong to look at those people as being of less importance.

After having said all of this, I believe that the population is taking a turn for the better. I think that people are beginning to get less homophobic. Long ago, being homosexual or bisexual was extremely frowned upon but I believe that now, people are slowly starting to become more and more accepting. Since 2005, same sex marriages have become legal in all parts of Canada (CBC). I do have high hopes of soon having a society that accepts all sexual orientations.


References:

Caldwell, K. (2010). We Exist: Intersectional In/Visibility in Bisexuality & Disability. Disability Studies Quarterly, Vol. 30, No. 3/4, Page no unavailable.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/samesexrights/

-Marina. R.