Factors that may influence the equality of opportunity for individuals

There are various factors that influence equality of opportunities for all individuals. Discrimination or unfair treatment of certain individuals or groups of people is not uncommon in many organizations and social settings. In the health and social care settings, unfair treatment can be avoided through offering services that promote equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of their differences. Below are some of the factors that influence equality of opportunities for all people in the society and health and social care practices that promote equality for all in regard of these factors.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to classification o discrimination of individuals based on their racial origins, cultural norms and language ( HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Anita+Atwal%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=8” Atwal, A. & Jones, 2006, p. 79). People are sometimes treated unfairly or be discriminated against through restricted access to equal access to part or all services and benefits in the society due to their ethnic backgrounds. Good health and social care practices ensure that all individuals feel that they are valued and receive equal treatment regardless of their ethnic background. Most health and social care centres have policies in place to be followed by care workers to make sure that the best of interests of all service users are upheld and that are not mistreated based on ethnic background language ( HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Anita+Atwal%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=8” Atwal, A. & Jones, 2006, p. 79).

Gender

Unfair treatment based on gender relates to the differences between men and women in their access to benefits and treatment in the society. In the health and social care sector, this factor affects the health outcomes of men and women if not well addressed . A huge gender gap is likely to result into to underuse or inefficient use of health recourses to either men or women which could lead to higher mortality rate for either gender (Pyne, 2009, p. 6). Good practices in the health and social care sector promote gender equality and equity through tackling gender biases in communities and providing similar services to all people regardless of gender. The health and social workers need also to focus on strengthening the group discriminated on the basis of gender to respond better to physical and social environment and have better control to determinants of health (Evans, 2001, p. 185).

Sexuality

An individual whose sexual orientation does not conform to prevailing and established patterns can be the target of verbal, psychological and physical violence and acts of hate (Mooney, Knox & Schacht, 2010, p. 176). Discrimination based on their sexual orientation refers to unfair treatment of a person or a group of people based on their emotional and sexual attractions, relationships, self identity and behaviour. An individual’s sexual orientation may be heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. Effective health and social care services should promote equality of opportunities for all individuals by ensuring that their staff are well trained to provide similar services for all people irrespective of individual’s sexual orientation (Mooney, Knox & Schacht, 2010, p. 176).

Age

Discrimination based on age affects different individuals and groups in different ways. For instance, it may apply to the retired whole population of retired individuals in a given society. It may also be marked amongst individuals in ages of 80s and 90s who experience long-term illnesses, mental health problems, and higher levels of disabilities and thus, rely more on health and social care services (Behan, 2009, p. 4). Good practices in the health and social care sector should promote the principle of treating people of all ages equally. Their services should emphasize on the policy of ‘putting people first’ and offering treatment to people of all ages and help them to maintain independence and control over their lives (Behan, 2009, p. 4).

Disability

In the society, barriers may exist for disabled persons with certain physical, psychiatric, sensory, intellectual or neurological impairments to receive appropriate and effective healthcare support. Health and social care services should deal with such inequity by promoting rights of disabled individuals to health and disability services which are affordable and accessible. They should help to reduce the burden placed on such disabilities by the society and the demand placed on the disability and health services (Carnaby & Cambridge, 2006, p. 40). They thus ought to promote care practises that lead to effective management of disabilities and improvement in the health and well being of such people.

Discrimination

Discrimination simply refers to unequal treatment based on individual’s personal attributes such as sexual orientation, gender, age and disability or it may be as a result of a person’s group membership such as belonging to a certain ethnic group (Bulatao & Anderson, 2004, p. 78). Discrimination can determine an individual’s or a group’s living conditions and access to vital resources such as food, shelter, healthcare services, education and employment, among others (Bulatao & Anderson, 2004, p. 78). Anti-discriminatory practices should be adopted in health and social care settings by promoting equality, upholding value diversity, respect for the rights of consumers.

References

HYPERLINK “http://www.google.co.ke/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Anita+Atwal%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=8” Atwal, A. & Jones, M., Preparing for Professional Practice in Health and Social Care, West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons, 2009

Behan, D., ‘Age equality and age discrimination in social care: An interim practice guide’ 2009, Accessed 31 January 2012 from, [http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/guides/guide35/files/guide35.pdf]

Bulatao, R. A. & Anderson, N. B., Understanding racial and ethnic differences in health in late life: a research agenda, Washington: National Academies Press, 2004

Carnaby, S. & Cambridge, P., Intimate and personal care with people with learning disabilities, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006

Evans, T., Challenging inequities in health: from ethics to action, Oxford University Press, 2001

Pyne, S., ‘how can gender equity be addressed through health systems?’ 2009, Accessed 31 January 2012 from, [http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/64941/E92846.pdf]

Mooney, L. A., Knox, D. & Schacht, C., Understanding Social Problems, California, Cengage Learning, 2010