Helping those who are not socially interacting

Weird And Wonderful would love to explain social inclusion and social exclusion. All these wonderful people in the world need to have interaction with everyone.

I realise I am 100% guilty of not interacting. However, I have only had two friends visit over the last year or so. I am talking about – actually being on my sofa eating food and watching telly; or, going out for a meal.  I have always travelled to others houses.

This is actually hard for me to write because I was telling that friend I really want to change. However – my family hardly visit me, so, I am not feeling like I really am included into their group. Therefore, it is not my fault – it therfore is social exclusion:

Social inclusion and exclusion from the World Health Organisation, (2015) perspective:

“Exclusion consists of dynamic, multi-dimensional processes driven by unequal power relationships interacting across four main dimensions – economic, political, social and cultural – and at different levels including individual, household, group, community, country and global levels. It results in a continuum of inclusion/exclusion characterised by unequal access to resources, capabilities and rights which leads to health inequalities.”

There is a dangerous side to socially excluded, because you don’t necessarily mean to be in that situation.  You do want to do things but it does affect you whether or not you are emotional resilient or not. The reasons being – you can actually see yourself as vulnerable as towards social exclusion in mental health? Schneider & Bramley, (2008) states:

“Social exclusion tends to be used to describe the position of an individual or group in relation to others, or in relation to benefits that society is supposed to offer, for example physical security, adequate nutrition, shelter, family life, employment, social support, community participation and political involvement. Often, for ‘social exclusion’ we can substitute the words ‘disadvantage’, ‘poverty’ or ‘discrimination’ without any loss of meaning.”

So we know that people who are socially excluded are neglected by others; we need to reach out and help them out. Every moment that goes by is like a ticking time bomb waiting to happen.

People will always have needs. Although many have said – certain  people say some are “too needy!”.… would you like to hear it from the other perspective? For example,
What happens when you cannot afford to meet people?

You are not able to see family memebers who live far away. You cannot travel to see them. You are just cooped up in your own world.

If you have already been accepted into a social group, you could potentially be putting your own interaction at risk because of your self – esteem reducing due to constraints, as Schneider & Bramley, (2008):

“If membership of a group has a positive effect on self-esteem, then the individual’s social identification with that group (the ‘in’ group) increases, leading the person to incorporate the group membership as part of their self-image. At the same time, a negative bias is predicted towards other groups (the ‘out’ groups). This bias can result in discrimination, leading to low self-esteem among ‘out’-group members and a negative self-image (self-stigma).”

So your self – esteem is very important as an individual. People take it for granted: you cannot increase your self esteem by yourself. Believe me! I have tried.

We all need to interact, it is our innate responses needing face to face contact. If we cannot then obviously, it affects our wellbeing.  Many people take these things for granted as they catch the bus, or they are on the tube living in a city.  If you live in a village or a town – your chances of catching a bus or being on a train are reduced.  Those facilities are not easily accessible.

What happens if you cannot come out of environment because people haven’t visited you for a while?

You begin to love your own little bubble so much you find it even harder to relate to them, or anyone when you need to. Your self – esteem reduces and then you do not end up wanting to go out with people at all. This is social exclusion which could also be dysfunctional;  the person is not able to interact as they feel like their mood is too low. Depression sets in and then they are at risk of harming themselves or others around them.

What happens when you just pretend like you have nothing wrong and everything is great?

You are unable to get the help and support you need.  Then the problem becomes more larger than you anticipated and out of your control. Your self – esteem will decrease and you will notice that you sink into depression which will cause you to be dysfunctional.

Helping people discuss their problems isn’t the only solution. Especially if you are in a better position than the other person. As their pride may cause social inclusion, or their dignity may feel compromised. The best thing to do is just empower them by talking about whether or not they knew if they knew facilities around them exist, like vouchers or other schemes to get them back into society. As Schneider & Bramley, (2008) continues to explain:

“One might think that people who cannot afford to take the train are not disadvantaged in any other way, but describing their situation as social exclusion draws attention to the possibility that without this mode of transport they are also at risk of missing out on other entitlements, perhaps education or employment.”

So if people are put in a position where they have the inability to actually seek their purpose and meaning in life then they struggle even more.

Education is important and so is employment. I don’t feel like I am not convinced about people’s opinions on matters regarding others being able to be active in society.  I just think they lack the attentive compassion for others. Enable others and it strengthens the economy… simple.  People are able to go places and do things they spend money – it goes back into the economy.

What was the silliest thing you have ever heard?

I will not discuss clients on here. I will discuss my own experience. I had basically been told by two family memebers:

“Cars are expensive. What do you need a car for?”

Now that is the silliest question you could actually give to someone who is not in a better position and would like to achieve things in life. A car is a fantastic advantage. You get out and about – it is a very useful tool.

It made me feel as though they didn’t care; they didn’t even bother asking me about the facilities – buses, trains e.t.c –  available in my area and jobs. It made me feel like they were not bothered about looking after their own family members interests and wellbeing. It made me also feel they have not even been bothered about my own circumstances.

I did carry on with my life with my car and it has made me feel worthwhile. I was able to study and do work in other locations. My options were not limited.

I feel that from my experience – immediately – social exclusion begins from family.

Families must find everything in their power to support people’s social inclusion, this includes extended family if you are in a stable financial situation. You must try and enable them to seeking a better life.

So who else can be socially excluded or suffer from social inclusion?

Apart from people with disabilities or single people or the elderly… wow! The list is significantly getting bigger as everyone is striving to perfection. Apparently, the moral underclass are extremely vulnerable and in need of even human interaction.

Extremely fragile in terms of their ability to be included in society because of their financial constraints or their lack of time or the fact they are just unable to cope. As Schnider and Bramley (2008) state:

“The moral underclass discourse is concerned with the behaviour or the culture of individuals, for example young people, ex-offenders, single mothers or adults lacking basic skills, whose apparent failures and inadequacies are seen as the cause of their own exclusion.”

Now why on earth would we have a moral underclass in the first place? Are they not all humans like you or I?

This is the kind of hypocrisy I mean. People create the social exclusion with their prejudices. Yes, it has to be said – many put the constraints on these people and then complain about them when crime increases or their level of education has been reduced.

Why would you make someone’s life more difficult than it already is?

I have no idea. Maybe WWII was not humanities last grave chance to save one another after all!

When we saw the monstrosity of WWII, we changed law’s; made more humane ones. An estimated 66,000,000 died during this time and the importance of knowing the impact of health and famine from the war puts it into perspective: 40 – 55 million civilian casualties were affected by disease and famine.

Helpless as they were, they died; imagine the children and the vulnerable.

Oh dear… Yes…. I really do not think we need to go back there.

Our own lives seem so insignificant compared to the way things were. If we look at our advancements and achievements since then it is astonishing. As we humans collectively came together to prevent the event for occuring again in history.

Respecting the fact that we have had people prosper from such devastation  is merely a sign of progression.

In certain countries they make sure the most vulnerable people in society are enabled to keep going and feel included in society through taxes and creating support through facilities which make living and wellbeing better, for example:

•Swimming Pools
•Free schools
•Free childcare
•Sports facilities
•Bikes for people to hire in cities
•Youth clubs
•Day centres
•Groups for people to attend for rehabilitation.

Do people in power feel they have a moral obligation to uphold in regards to making people feel socially included?

Yes, not only that others have a moral obligation to not make the world they live in worse. This increases crime and also deviance: My dislikes in society.

I feel once there is a significant rise in crime in society – it is really difficult to get rid of the resentment and bitterness is still there. As social inclusion is societies way of looking after everyone’s needs equally:

“Finally, exclusion is a two-way street: it affects people’s status as members of a community and their political influence as members of a state; consequently, the wider society is also affected to the extent that it creates or tolerates social exclusion.”

People in power do not necessarily have the best intention. They may have their own morals and values which creates a bigger moral divides. There is actually no need for it. The moral obligation of people in power is to decrease problems and keep everything  balanced .

So basically when people feel they really do not have the power to influence others lives….. they do. As Schneider & Bramley, (2008) states:

“Groups whose political beliefs or discourses do not coincide can all decry it with a single voice, although they will differ over what to do about it. We may therefore call social exclusion and inclusion a meta-discourse; with these terms people from different political perspectives find a common language of condemnation and praise.”

Then the vicious cycle continues if people do not want to improve the circumstances of those who are less fortunate than themselves.

Obviously – they want individuals to improve the lives of others when it needs to be a societal approach. I feel, society is not prepared to change.

There is nothing wrong with the people whom have more than most. They just like the divide.  They like to create the further divide by not actually realising who is most vulnerable.

How do we take a positive approach to helping people?

I have no idea. I know these facilities are avaliable but if it costs the individual it is less likely they are able to interact.  If their circumstances are reduced it is less likely they are going to improve.
Being able to ask the question about family memebers and how many support is difficult but honestly – if you know someone has less around them – then you must make sure they are safe and able to look after themselves.

How can anyone else feel obligated to assist in social inclusion?

Be proactive and stop thinking everyone else is in the same circumstances as yourself. I feel my family and i are unabls to bond. Infact – they have just made matters worse for me without being able to realise the impact or affect.

What increases the problems with families?

Extended family can live too far away to impact people’s lives. They may regret the decisions of the individuals who are in difficult situations. It doesn’t cause for a good supporting relationship. This is also after listening to my own cousins talk about their experiences.

What other problems contribute to people not being socially excluded?

Not being able to relate to a certain social group. It is innate – however, we all need to at least be tolerant of others and understand their circumstances.

I feel I will improve in this area and try to enable others in the future. It is important to make sure those without family memebers in their local community are aware of the needs of the individual. If they are able to even interact with the individual to improve their own self – esteem and wellbeing. It would be beneficial.

To conclude, social exclusion is not always the individuals fault. The simplicity of it all is based on understanding the circumstances of the other person. Not taking a prejudice or judgmental stance.

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