SkillBuilder discussion Investigating contemporary Civics and Citizenship issues 1. Read the Case Study from the Australian Human Rights Commission. How have you heard or seen older people portrayed in themedia? 2. Would you agree that ageism exists? Are other social groups stereotyped? Stereotypes can have a significant impact in societies regardless of the way that they are created or perpetuated. Most stereotypes have negative connotations and are based on only a small part of a social group’s identity. By accepting a stereotype, we limit ourselves from developing a true understanding of different cultures. We exaggerate cultural and religious differences and forget the similarities we may share. In this way, stereotypes can undermine cohesion in Australian society. 19.4.2 Asylum seekers and refugees The second verse of ‘Advance Australia Fair’, Australia’s national anthem, is not as commonly sung as the first verse during many public events, including school assemblies and sporting events. Most performances of the anthem focus on the first verse, which is shorter and more widely recognised. However, the second verse of the anthem is still part of the official lyrics and contains significant meaning. For those who come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share , With courage let us all combine to Advance Australia Fair
This lyric directly relates to welcoming migrants into our society — an issue that has a mixed history in our country. In modern Australia, we like to think that our communities are tolerant and welcoming — and for the most part, they are. However, the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees in Australia continues to cause debate. Australia accepted nearly 15 000 refugees in 2023. To put this number into perspective, it represents only 1.03 per cent of the total number of refugees who were resettled globally. An asylum seeker is someone who is claiming refugee status but whose official status has yet to be confirmed. Until recent years, there were also thousands of asylum seekers who were classified as ‘irregular arrivals’. These
FIGURE2 Protesters in Brisbane objecting to the treatment of asylum seekers
people attempted to enter Australia via unofficial methods, most commonly by boat. In recent years, the attitudes of both governments and regular Australians to refugees has been extremely different to the way asylum seekers are treated. While they respect an individual’s right to seek refuge, they want that person to do so through official channels. There are many people and organisations in our society that protest against the way these people are treated, arguing that it may not always be possible for an asylum seeker to pursue assistance through the official channels. 19.4.3 Flagging a change? The design of the Australian flag has been widely debated, especially in recent years. The current flag, selected from a competition in 1901, includes the Union Jack, Southern Cross and a seven-pointed star representing Australia’s states and territories. Critics argue that the Union Jack is outdated since Australia
576 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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