Example Of Structural Inequality

In this paper, the term “structural violence” will be defined and characterized. The term “structural violence” was coined by a medical anthropologist named Paul Farmer who created a list of components which outline and represent the term. By doing so, he depicts how it has manifested in the world and provides examples of real life experiences surrounding structural violence. A single event of structural violence will be revealed to demonstrate how the concept can be applied to contexts around the world. Structural violence is a worldwide issue that is unarticulated on in media. Structural violence is characterized by inequity, social inequality, and suppression of the situation.

The lack of basic needs and resources to denizens along with

Social inequality is linked to gender and race or ethnicity and plays another major role in structural violence. In his article, Paul Farmer makes it evident that Acephie and Chouchou died in different ways precisely because of their gender. Paul Farmer states, “Gender inequality also helps to explain why the suffering of Acephie is much more commonplace than that of Chouchou” (21). In this statement, Paul Farmer is trying to convey that due to sexism, events such as what happened to Acephie happen more frequently as women are the main victims of domestic violence and rape. Silencing those who suffer from structural violence and concealing their stories in order to spare those in power is the final characteristic of structural violence. According to Paul Farmer, “the poor are not only more likely to suffer; they are also more likely to have their suffering silenced” (25). By suppressing their suffering, the world is unable to understand the suffering that is taking place and therefore cannot put an end to such events. The rich will continue on with their lives while the poor will have to continue struggling and making ends meet by any means

It stretches throughout the world, sometimes in places you may never expect. One location where structural violence is taking place is in Australia. Australia may seem like it is a prosperous and wealthy country with citizens that are thriving in their daily lives. This is unfortunately not the case for everyone living there.. The Indigenous population, which is comprised of mainland Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, live a very different reality from those in the general population. According to Ben Westcott, “on basic standards of living -- from health, to education, to employment -- Australia's Indigenous population is being left far behind” (“How Australia is Failing Its Indigenous Population”). The Indigenous population in Australia is suffering from structural violence due to a lack of basic essential needs and resources from their government. Health is one of the components which differentiate the Indigenous population compared to the general population. According to the statistics present in the article, the Indigenous population have a lower life expectancy by 10 years as well as higher infant and maternal mortality rates. Illness and deficient amount of resources are what cause these statistics and not enough efforts are being made to help their standards be met. This population also suffers from higher rates of low birth weights, child obesity, and adult