Write a 700- to 1,050-word article that addresses the following:
Define social justice. Consider what makes up a just society. You may utilize the definition from your Week 3 assignment.
Discuss how you can identify social injustice and what is just and what is unjust or unfair.
For 3 different stages of development using Erik Erikson’s model of social development, summarize common psychological development at each of your 3 chosen stages, including examples of psychological impacts.
Explain the role of advocacy in the social justice movement you selected.
Based on the impacts on psychological development from the social justice movement you selected, discuss how advocacy can help an individual feel valued and understood.Assess how social justice and diversity can impact psychological development at each of your 3 chosen stages, including examples of psychological impacts.
Explain the role of advocacy in the social justice movement you selected.
Based on the impacts on psychological development from the social justice movement you selected, discuss how advocacy can help an individual feel valued and understood.
Identifying what is just versus unjust or unfair requires a critical lens. We can identify social injustice by recognizing patterns of systemic disadvantage, marginalization, and the denial of basic rights to specific groups of people. For example, when a neighborhood lacks access to healthy food options, or a group of people consistently face barriers to employment due to their background, that is an injustice. What is just is the active effort to correct these imbalances. It is the implementation of policies that ensure fair pay for equal work, provide accessible healthcare to all, and protect the rights of marginalized communities. In essence, justice is the active practice of fairness and equity.
The psychological impact of these dynamics is profound and can be understood by examining human development through the lens of Erik Erikson’s model. Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages, each with a core psychological conflict that an individual must resolve to achieve healthy development. The degree to which an individual feels valued and included by their society directly influences their ability to successfully navigate these stages.
Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy: Birth to 18 Months) The first stage of development centers on the psychological conflict of Trust vs. Mistrust. During this period, infants rely completely on their caregivers and their environment to meet their basic needs for comfort, food, and security. Successful resolution of this stage, fostered by consistent and responsive care, leads to a sense of security and trust in the world. However, social injustice and a lack of diversity can have a devastating psychological impact. For a child born into a family facing poverty or systemic neglect due to their race or ethnicity, the environment may be unpredictable and resource-scarce. Caregivers, burdened by economic stress, may be less able to provide consistent care, leading the child to develop a deep-seated sense of mistrust. This psychological harm, rooted in social injustice, can lay a foundation of anxiety and insecurity that persists throughout their life.
Sample Answer
The Intertwined Path: Social Justice, Diversity, and Psychological Development
The pursuit of a just and equitable society is not merely a political or economic endeavor; it is a fundamental determinant of human well-being. At its core, social justice is the equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society, with the goal of creating a fair and inclusive environment for all individuals. A truly just society is one where every person has fair access to education, healthcare, legal protection, and economic opportunity, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, ability, or other aspects of their identity. It is a society that actively dismantles systemic barriers and provides a safety net for those who need it most.