A majority of contemporary work in social sciences is centered on exploring issues of social inequality and prevailing gender-based judgments. The article by Yamin, “When Misfortune Becomes Injustice,” examines the struggles and misfortunes of Brazilian women in the reconstructing socio-economic systems of the government (Yamin, 2020). Referring to concrete examples of mistreated women in the healthcare field, the author expresses the necessity to regulate the sector in terms of its commitment to providing gender-independent sufficient services. Moreover, Yamin highlights the closely-linked relationships between the competency of medical institutions and the democratic levels of a state. Hence, health rights can only be effectively reinforced in cases of socially-favorable government policies.
The second article similarly accentuates the importance of establishing a stable environment for the flourishing of basic human rights. Hahn et al. (2018) theorize civil rights to be the basis of developing the main social fields of education, healthcare, and career opportunities (Hahn et al., 2018). The main argument of the article concerns ethnic and racial minorities primarily while also mentioning the position of women in facing social injustices (Hahn et al., 2018). Inevitably, the political and historical aspects of the issue are considered in relation to the way certain reforms aided in shaping the contemporary American culture.
The articles are both related to the discussed issues and themes through their connection to the fundamental research regarding the social injustice systems in their respective governments. Yamin’s work highlights the oppressive regime and its contribution to the stamina of women’s health issues, while Hahn et al. demonstrate the detrimental effects of poorly constructed civil rights. The readings make constant links between human social characteristics and their implications for one’s life level in their own ways. Most importantly, the connections between the intersecting inequalities and the described healthcare systems reinforce the idea of white male privilege. The analysis of the mentioned issue’s possible roots in Yamin’s work includes an observation of the healthcare institutions’ democratic nature, which, at the same time, can become unfavorable for the women receiving their services. Hence, the articles, like the goals of the course, examine modern structural inequalities regarding women and other minorities in healthcare and the legal apparatus.
While Yamin presents the reader with a longitudinal inspection of the regulation of female medical rights and frameworks, a few particular areas could be further discussed. For instance, the way health systems can be democratic institutions while simultaneously serving as spaces for “systemic discrimination and marginalization” (Yamin, 2020, p.173). If that is the case, what is the exact definition of democracy? Generally, the reductionist approach to understanding democracy includes the assumption that it is based on liberating qualities and equal opportunities for all social categories. Considering the author’s statement on its possible discriminatory nature, does the author objectively favor democratic views or stay politically neutral? Furthermore, the article’s depiction of political choices and their impact on the state of population inequality raises the question of whether the political party matters at all. Another interesting point concerns the influence of other countries in reforming Brazil’s human rights misconduct. With acknowledgment of the beneficial outcomes of such influence, what would be the next steps in achieving a more inclusive national environment?
The course reading and the external source both concern shared themes and issues of social inequality. In that way, Yamin’s work explores legal and political approaches to improving the healthcare system for women. Similarly, Hahn highlights the role of civil rights in determining the legal and social opportunities minorities receive. Therefore, both works emphasize the idea that the basic medical care rights set can be guaranteed in the case of a non-corruptive government structure. However, Yamin reiterates the lack of relevancy in discussing “what it would mean to apply human rights to health” (Yamin, 2020, p.173). This understanding is already an assumption in their work and does not require additional elaboration. On the contrary, Hahn devotes a significant part of the article explaining the enforcement of civil rights and the consequences of this action in improving the social determinants of health (Hahn et al., 2018). Still, both works present an analysis of the historical and political routes impacting the development of human rights and, in turn, the available public medical services.
In my opinion, the issues explored in both articles are crucial to analyze in the conditions of the modern socio-economic climate. In the context of modern American healthcare, many prevailing problems arise from remaining social inequalities. While the healthcare system is advantageous strictly for elite groups, the groups themselves generally lack female domination. Hence, the feminist movement still has a long way to go, even in countries as progressive socio-culturally as the United States. Ultimately, although popular and valid, I believe the political perspective is not the only limiting factor for social equity. Generational misconceptions and poor education regarding female hygiene and proper self-care promote negative attitudes on improving the system’s problems. Therefore, major reforms must start in schools and educational institutions, where the foundational information is taught to future influential individuals. Most importantly, the analysis demonstrated the relevancy and prevalence of the issues in the contemporary world and consequently the urgency to act on them.
References
Hahn, R.A., Truman, B.I., & Williams, D.R. (2018). Civil rights as determinants of public health and racial and ethnic health equity: Health care, education, employment, and housing in the United States. SSM – Population Health, 4, 17-24. Web.
Yamin, A. E. (2020). When misfortune becomes injustice. In When misfortune becomes injustice. Standford University Press.