Social Inclusion (SWFS5004) Foundation Degree Assignment

Social Inclusion (SWFS5004) Foundation Degree - Assignment Example More recent scholarly studies reveal that social exclusion is multi-faceted in character. Levitas (1998) thus sees it as a multidimensional concept, dependent on the position of a person or a group of persons in the society. He further notes that every form of societal marginalization can cause social exclusion. Social exclusion is conceptualized via various social processes and aspects of daily life such as economical, cultural, disability, political and organizational just to name a few. In the views of Levitas (1998), social exclusion is the product of an intricate process and definitely not as a result of economical disadvantage alone. Hence, the concept of social exclusion should be thought in the framework of a social organization in which four subsystems namely politics, economics, social/community and family systems are at play (Phillipson et al, 2003). Even though social exclusion is seen as multi-facial, it nevertheless still poses constant problems. Cushing (2003) further observes that the concept of social exclusion is not only multi-faceted in the sense that it is controlled by various social processes, but the idea is also relational. ... Phillipson et al (2003) also observe that exclusion and inclusion form a dynamic phenomenon. This is because within a given society, an individual can be socially excluded or included over a given period of time. For this reason, it is not wise to give all inclusive definition of social exclusion but to employ an approach that identifies deprivation factors (Pierson, 2001). A good example is deprivation of employment. In this approach, social inclusion originates from synergies between various players in local government and services as well as social partners via participation, associations and networking (Silver, 1994). Levitas (1998) observes that exclusion depends on system failures only. Within this viewpoint, social exclusion is viewed on the basis of the hetero-designation of particular groups which are termed as the excluded. Other studies neglect the human potential to build inclusion within one or several everyday spheres according to Massey & Jess (1995). A number of conce rns have been raised regarding self-designation processes, the effects of identity on inclusion as well as exclusion boundaries which may mediate in the said identities. Hence, social exclusion may depend on the role of a person who is socially excluded when he or she can offer nothing to the society in exchange for what society can give back (Phillipson et al, 2003). Moreover, individuals, groups of people and societies can lock themselves off, creating ever higher boundaries by asserting their norms in a strict and rigid style which may, as a result exclude others who do not agree with them or who are not recognized by them (Castles, 2000). There are a number of cases in which religious, political and ethnic causes have resulted