Social justice is a broad term that covers all areas of human life and intersects with many other concepts close to sociology, such as mental health. As a result, people of different educational backgrounds use different interpretations of it. Every person builds a unique explanation of the theory, and there is no one specific definition. However, some principles stay the same for many individuals, and it is crucial to understand the specification of these aspects. For instance, Mollenkamp (2022) described access, diversity, and equality as the main principles of social justice. Therefore, the essay will outline these values in more depth and show the influence of every aspect on the development of social construct.
These days, more people are fighting for equality, and the idea discussed plays a critical role in those actions. The concept proposes that all individuals should access the same rights and resources (Huo, 2019). For example, for movements advocating for free and high-quality mental care, the introduction of universal mental health services means equalizing the distribution of institutional resources. Moreover, social justice also postulates that it is vital to avoid racism and discrimination, which usually become the main barriers to achieving it in societies.
Even though the principles of social justice stay the same across different communities, the definitions of the concepts may be diverse. For example, Mollenkamp (2022) explains that the most relevant aspects of social justice are access, equality, and diversity. Other activists believe that it is about “equal access to wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society” (What is social justice? n.d., para. 1). However, Social Work Degree Guide (n.d.) shows that human rights are more valuable in this concept. Dolan-Reilly (2013) argues that the fundamental concepts of social justice are human rights, institutional and distributive equality, and justice. Business experts interpret this as “the fair and proper administration of laws” (Social justice, n.d., para. 1). Shim and Vinson (2019) include mental health equity in social justice. Bhugra et al. (2022) have a similar perspective on these two socio- and psychological concepts. Even though these different sources propose their unique vision regarding the importance of principles, all articles state that the collaboration of all values helps to build a stable social justice system. When people have equal access to healthcare and education support, they feel less discriminated against and understand that they do have human rights.
Social justice helps to support diversity in societies by changing the perception of culture and increasing safety. According to Huo (2019), the concept affects human lives in such spheres as security, environment, and culture. Every day, people discriminated by race or gender may feel insecure because of their confrontations with abusers. Many developed countries are introducing laws that make punishment harsher for those who make others feel less secure in their everyday activities. Moreover, Huo (2019) stated that social justice could unite people and change their focus on more critical problems like climate change or mental health crises. Human energy can be directed to more relevant areas when social justice is spread in communities. Additionally, more people should know about the cultural, religious, and psychological features of others, and social constructs can help spread awareness. In this case, the loyalty and sympathy levels can increase, and fewer conflicts and crises may appear.
In conclusion, the idea of social justice may be neglected by some individuals as people may need to be made aware of the concept. However, it is crucial to know that every human should be equal, and their rights, and physical and mental health must not be violated. Interestingly, social justice affects various areas of life, like communication, mental health, and culture. This insight proves the fact that the importance of the concept is massive. By knowing about the existence of diverse cultures, people might find a better way to find the right approach to different individuals and make the world more loyal. Therefore, the spread of information regarding the importance of social justice should be increased, and more people should be integrated into this topic to make the world a better place.
References
Bhugra, D., Tribe, R., & Poulter, D. (2022). Social justice, health equity, and mental health. South African Journal of Psychology, 52(1), 3-10. Web.
Dolan-Reilly, G. (2013). The definition of social justice. Social Justice Solutions. Web.
Huo, Y.J. (2019). Social justice in a diverse society. Routledge.
Mollenkamp, D. T. (2022). Social justice meaning and main principles explained. Investopedia. Web.
Shim, R. S., & Vinson, S. Y. (2021). To achieve mental health equity, dismantle social injustice. Scientific American. Web.
Social justice. (n.d.). Business Dictionary. Web.
What is social justice? (n.d.). Pachamama Alliance. Web.
What is social justice? (n.d.). Social Work Degree Guide. Web.