the social oppression model

The Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to use the social oppression model to demonstrate how the queer community is physically and emotionally tortured by other members of our society, as well as the best way to provide care to patients who are subjected to such oppressive behavior. Waters (2017) defined social oppression as a dominant-subordinate dynamic between social classes in which one group benefits from the logical abusive and exploitative acts directed towards the other. According to the social oppression notion, oppression occurs when one group of people wields power over another in society by controlling social facilities, regulations, and community laws. The dominant class obtains privileges, rights, and better life at the expense of the subordinate group. In this case, the heterosexual people have better privileges relative to the queer group.

The Oppressive Incident

The society considers the transgender and other LGBT members as incomplete and outcasts, particularly given that America is a Christian nation that only approves the male-female relationship for reproduction and family upbringing. As a result, people who come up claiming to be lesbians, gays, or even transgender are emotionally and physically tortured by the heterosexual who are the majority using abusive practices. For instance, in most nations and states in America, the group is not legally allowed to take custody of minors through adoption. Such incidences therefore benefit the heterosexual relative to the LGBT community who are seen as incompetent to morally bring up children, given that they are perceived to be ’morally unfit’.

Application of the Theory of Social Oppression to the Incident

Oppression is socially enacted through the powerful social procedures and forces that are operational I the society. The process is usually unconscious given that it depends on the values and practices of the members of a society. In the U.S, the society is founded on the biblical teachings of Christianity which only consider sexual relationship between members of the opposite sex contrary to which the practice is immoral thus leading to social discrimination. As such sexual oppression is institutionalized and since it is based on the religious beliefs of the society.

The heterosexuals are therefore perceived to be more deserving in comparison to the LGBT since the former ascribe to the values of the institutionalized aspects of the American society. Being that the queer people are not allowed to freely adopt children shows that they not share the same familial privileges with the heterosexuals and as such, they are socially oppressed.

Outcome of the Incident

The outcome of such oppression is denial, loss of self-esteem and the thought of being inferior to the members of the queer/LGBT community which makes them lead low quality life, essentially emotionally. The heterosexuals on the other hand are able to adopt children and start a family without pressure from the society and thus have an upper hand. The members of the LGBT community mainly isolate themselves and form platforms for members to join which leads tensions and violent-related activities as members try to outdo each other in accessing resources that should be universally given to all.

Lessons from the Incident in Providing Care

From the incident, I have learnt that the social institutions may directly or indirectly favor a group at the expense of another owing to the existing structures. In this case, the traditional and religious belief that sexual relations are only allowed between a man and a woman makes it difficult for the LGBT community to freely lead an emotionally quality life. In providing care to the oppressed patients, I will assist them through the use of lifeworld-led whereby the day-to-day life experience of the individual is unveiled in order to understand their pain and suffering which then offers a tangible background in identifying their needs for possible healing and transformation.

References

Waters, G. (2017). Definition of Social Problem. Retrieved on July 31, 2017 from https://www.thoughtco.com/social-oppression-3026593