The Continuing Disadvantaged Economic Status of Women in Canadian Society

What factors have contributed to the continuing disadvantaged economic status of women in Canadian society? What are some of the solutions being proposed? 

Gender inequality is among the oldest form of inequality worldwide. It devalues women and denies them the privilege of expressing themselves. It denies women opportunities and rights compared to men in all sectors. Canadian women living in poverty are about 53%. Factors contributing to the high numbers of women experiencing high poverty levels in Canada include pay inequities and caregiving responsibilities, especially for children and the elderly. Another notable factor is inadequate government programs, particularly women who rely primarily on the government for income and essential services, for example, women with disabilities and single mothers. 

Solutions to the disadvantaged status of women include empowering women programs, supporting and financing women businesses, provide equal opportunities to all people and establishing programs that support women education. 

Question 2: 

The shift from "stay-at-home mothers" to "worker-mothers" has not dramatically changed the disadvantaged status of women. Explain why this might be so. 

Most women are now allowed to work does not mean that they are given equal opportunities at work. Most women are paid meagre wages, and they also multitask office work with unpaid household and care work, unlike men who hardly help with care services. 

Question 3: 

Responsibility for childcare and eldercare falls disproportionately on women. Why is this the case, and what can be done about it? Do you believe this is something that will change in our future? Why/why not? 

It is because our society views women responsibilities. Caring was a women responsibility. Women can multitask and cope with issues that come with caregiving. Men should be encouraged to help with all household duties to enable women to pursue their career goals. This trait may change in the future because of the efforts of women in top ranks who have been campaigning for equality in all spheres. 

Question 4: 

What are three family models, and how would we adhere to a social responsibility model of change the way we provide income security programs in Canada? 

Different family models include the life course model, family developmental model, and the family systems model. Families have been embracing the social responsibility for change by abandoning traditional beliefs on which gender. Both parents help with all household responsibilities. 

Chapter 9: Children and families in poverty 

Question 5: 

What is the current poverty situation of Canada’s families and children? 

About seven five million Canadians are currently living in poverty. The statistics also reveal that 1.3million Canadian children are currently living in poverty conditions. Nearly three million Canadian families are now below standards, in unaffordable and substandard housing conditions. 

Question 6: 

What is "market poverty," and what are its primary causes? 

This refers to how households remain below specific poverty measures despite the number of household members employed, the 'working poor.' 

Causes of market poverty include market trends such as oligopoly that lead to increased prices for commodities. Strict government regulations such as high tariffs and taxes affect suppliers and consumers negatively, leading to market poverty. These causes raise the living standards of people. 

Question 7: 

Explain the four purposes of child-related income security. 

It helps in alleviating child poverty by ensuring that children receive specified minimum income. 

They help to generate good equity for families with or without children. 

It also acts as an economic stimulus by giving people some funds. 

It recognizes the roles played by parents in the society; siring children ensures continuity of the community. 

Question 8: 

What federal programs currently provide income security for Canadian families with children? 

The Northwest Territories Child Benefit (NWTCB) offers monthly cash payments to help them with financial expenses. 

Canada Child Benefit. It is a free monthly financial assistance for eligible families to assist them in raising children below 18 years. 

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) children’s benefits 

Child Disability Benefit 

What are the criticisms of the programs as they pertain to families on Social Assistance? 

These programs have been criticized for the inefficient use of resources. The benefits are offered to both the rich and the poor; they do not target those that need them the most. 

Chapter 10: The social welfare of immigrants 

Question 9: 

What was the significance of the shift away from the “nationality” to the “Point System” as the basis of immigrant selection after 1967? 

It new rules and standards which eased the assessment process for immigrants which helps to determine their admissibility. The new provisions enabled independent immigrants to be given points in specific groupings related to their ability to be successful in the country. 

Question 10: 

Presently, what are the three categories under which newcomers can apply to immigrant to Canada? What are the criteria used in each of these categories? 

Family class members, the immigrant must be closely related to Canadian residents in the country. 

Economic immigrants include skilled workers who have prior Canadian experience or those who qualify under any business categories in the country. 

Humanitarian and compassionate applicants are individuals that are accepted because of compassionate or humanitarian reasons. 

Refugees, these group includes people escaping torture, prosecution and unusual punishments. 

Question 11: 

This chapter summarises how the labour market, human capital, and anti-racist approaches might be used to understand unemployment and underdevelopment among immigrants. How might a political ideology perspective (from chapter 4) be used to look more deeply at the economic, social, and political forces underlying this issue? 

Successful integration of immigrant and their families contributes to the vitality of economic activities in different countries. Immigrants should get access to opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge. Political ideologies should support immigrant workers as they contribute to labour markets and human capital. Anti-racist approaches ensure equality to opportunities for all races. 

Question 12: 

Describe ways in which racism, directly or indirectly, is still a factor affecting immigrant selection and a barrier to the full integration of immigrants into Canadian society. 

Immigrants are subjected to lengthy immigration procedures, which makes the process hectic ( Puplampu, 2020) . They also take long before being awarded citizenship status. 

Immigrants face a lot of discrimination from persons in authority such as police officers, judges and teachers, making them lose faith in the system. 

Chapter 11: Aboriginal social welfare 

Question 13: 

How do the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal people differ from those of other Canadians? 

The employment rate among the Aboriginals is much lower than those of other Canadians, and they make considerably less income than the other Canadians. Many Aboriginals lived in overcrowded and faced social isolation compared to other Canadians. 

Question 14: 

What specific factors and events in the history of the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the governments of Canada have shaped the social welfare of Aboriginal peoples? 

The Canadian government apologized to all former Indian Residential Schools regretting the individuals' suffering because of these schools. The Canadian government began recognizing that the self-indigenous is part of the Canadian's cooperative federalism, which affirms the rights of self-government. 

Question 15: 

Why is Aboriginal self-government such an essential idea of promoting the social welfare of Aboriginal peoples? 

It gives them the freedom to govern their internal affairs and make critical decisions affecting the aboriginal community (Paquette & Fallon, 2020) . Self-government is a crucial building block that strengthens and supports aboriginal governing institutions and helps develop and promote self-reliance. 

Question 16: 

What was the residential school system, and why did it have such a devastating effect on Aboriginal families and communities? 

Residential school systems refer to the comprehensive school systems which colonialists set up. Churches administered them to educate indigenous aboriginals. 

The education system forcibly separated students from their families for long periods. It also forbade the students from acknowledging their culture and indigenous heritage. They were not allowed to communicate in their indigenous languages. This was not right as the aboriginals were very attached to their families and culture, and such rules and acts negatively affected them. 

Chapter 12: Disability and social welfare 

Question 17: 

Disability refers to a range of impairments. What are some of the difficulties or impairments included under the term disability? 

The difficulties classified under disability may be caused by chronic health problems or even accidents, making it difficult for them to interact with the world around them and perform certain activities. Some of these impairments include Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, autism, attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, and leukemia. 

Question 18: 

How has our conception of disability changed since the mid-19 th Century, and what have been the implications for social policy? 

Before establishing the Disability Rights Movement, people living with disabilities faced barriers that limited them from participating in society, and others were locked indoors. However, since the mid-19 th Century, there were changes in disability perception that included community activities, access to special education, the establishment of disability programs, and availability of disability equipment such as braille. 

Social policy on people living with disability has resulted in their engagement in society in a non-discriminatory manner and has helped them achieve an adequate standard of living. Moreover, it has helped them get access to education and employment, making them independent. 

Question 19: 

What are the “medical” and “social” models of disability? Compare. 

Medical models of disability state that people are disabled as a result of their differences or impairments. In contrast, social models of disability imply that disability is caused by how society is organized. The impairments under the medical models can be fixed through medical treatments, while social models look for ways to remove the barriers that prevent life choices for the disabled. 

Question 20: 

What is the employment situation of people with disabilities, and how can employment opportunities be increased? 

The employment situation is low. However, it's steadily improving. Governments and private entities can increase employment opportunities for the disabled group by creating programs that favour the disabled and offer education to equip them with skills. 

Chapter 13: The elderly and retired 

Question 21: 

What are the future demographic trends regarding aging and retirement in Canada? 

The increased aging of the baby generation is the major trend in Canada, making people retire earlier. 

Question 22: 

How will demographic trends affect the old age income security system? What has the federal government done to try to ensure the pension system's sustainability, for example? 

The old-age income security will reduce since people aged over 65 will increase in number compared to the working generation. The federal government has increasingly invested in various assets such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and securities that hedge inflation, including gold. 

Question 23: 

There is a concern that some of the income security gains that seniors have made may be eroding. What is the evidence for this? 

Current competition could lead to low prices, and the advanced technology makes assets obsolete, leading to losses. 

References 

ImmiPaquette, J., & Fallon, G. (2020). 2. Framing First Nations Education within Self-Government and Self-Determination. In  First Nations Education Policy in Canada  (pp. 20-69). University of Toronto Press. 

Puplampu, K. P. (2020). Moral panic and governance in public policy: Canadian immigration policy, the city of Edmonton resolution and Blacks, 1906–1911.  Social Identities , 1-18.