The Structural Inequalities, Anti-Oppressive and Anti-Discriminatory Approaches Associated with the Marginalization of Asylum Seekers in Australian Historical Context: An Overview

Abstract

Asylum seekers still endure a lot of oppression and alienation, with many erroneous assumptions about them circulating not only in Australia but throughout the world. Asylum seekers are deemed illegal due to the lack of their legitimate visas and are overlooked. The anti-oppressive theory seeks to oppose the underlying institutional and structural challenges in society and power to maintain power balance among minorities. The approach is focused on social justice. Social justice is attained by improving not only the quality of life but also the wellbeing of micro, macro, and mezzo levels with this approach. The fundamental value of diversity is also maintained. The abuse of power among the members of the society with regards to asylum seekers strengthens the notion of oppression; hence the approach strives for the power redistribution by not only defying the structures but also by advocating for the rights of the oppressed. The oppression can arise because of the traditional functioning ways of the systems or individuals’ bigotry. Asylum seekers in Australia are marginalized by the structure through their stern policies and by individual’s bigotry through their hate and sense of threat.