The Health and Cultural Diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

This report explores the social and cultural factors that influence the interaction with Aboriginal people and the impact of culture and social factors on shaping the identity and beliefs of an individual. It discusses the unique cultural identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the challenges they face in terms of health, education, and employment. The report also highlights the importance of respecting different cultures and beliefs.

The health and cultural diversity
of aboriginal and Torres strait
Islander people

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
Books and Journals......................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Torres Strait Islander is a group of islands present in the Torres Strait region which is
having a waterway which separates the Northern continental Australian Peninsula along with the
island of Guinea. The area is known to have great diversity in cultures, languages and structures.
This report deals with the social and cultural factors which influences the interaction with
Aboriginal people (Eccles and Wigfield, 2020). These people enjoy living in the diverse cultures.
They are facing some issues as being one of the backward section of the society. This report
deals with the impact of culture and social factors on shaping the identity as well as having an
impact on the beliefs and values of an individual.
MAIN BODY
Culture is the pattern which is helpful in learning and sharing the same type of
behaviours. It is a complex collection of human beliefs with is covered under the civilisation
which is particular to that nation. Culture is used to adapt and transform the world in which
people live. Culture is about having the knowledge of a particular group of people who shares
same language and other social habits. Identity is about differentiating a personality and
character of an individual. It is related to the psychological identification. Identity helps in
building a link between individuals and the world in which they live in. It is the combination of
viewing other individuals and is involved with the internal, subjective and external parameters.
Values are the central part which defines the core of an individuals personal identity. Principles
are very important in order to attain the mission and remain intact. Values form the foundation of
the moral compass. Decisions made and action taken are dependent on principles and because of
this, value helps in defining someone.
Social and cultural factors are based on the large scale for the forces present within the
cultures and societies which will affect the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of individuals.
Culture influences values such as traits like humanity, building self- esteem, being polite or
assertive (Budur, 2020). Moreover, culture influences the way of having hardship and related
feeling about it which depends on others Social factors will influence the beliefs of individuals or
even a group of people in both direct and indirect ways which will challenge, develop and agree
in order to determine the ethical expressions and formulating an individual's belief. Socio
cultural factors have an impact on the attitude of individual towards others and producing

dissatisfaction in the process of determining the extent where the real and imaginary becomes the
cause of concern. Cultural identity is the way in which an individual will relate to their cultural
practices and will have a significant affect about they feel about themselves. Personal perspective
is majorly affected when the surroundings are disrupted and changed. Values and beliefs are
affected by the quality of life, work and relations. Beliefs are an important part in one's identity.
The morals and cultures defines the part and reflects about an individual. The norms of
behaviours are based on the attitude and beliefs which is a part of culture. It influences all the
aspects of human behaviour and provide direction to society and individuals (Temple, Kelaher,
and Paradies, 2019). Culture is about the relations with the beliefs, customs and social
behaviours for a group of people. Sharing the cultural experience can lead to influencing the
ideology of the individuals and the group of people adopting these. Beliefs about religion
provide them building connections with the roots.
Aboriginal people takes a unique place in the Australian history and makes an essential
contribution in the development and identity of its people. They are looking to retain the cultural
identity while living in the regional and remote areas of Australia. This community has a great
diversity within their cultures, the languages they speak and the structure and ways of living their
life among other aboriginal people present across Australia. They follow many distinctive
cultures and speak in different languages within the tribal groups. Torres strait islanders are the
individuals living in this only region. They are removed from the mainland of Australia and
forced to stop their education and employment.
They have a unique identity which is associated with the territorial claim. Torres Strait
Islanders are associated to be conflated with the aboriginal people. There is a clear differentiation
between the indigenous and non indigenous Australians in having the quality of life. Indigenous
people includes the aboriginal and Torres Islanders experience having lower standards for health,
education and employment (Temple and Russell, 2018). This section is over represented in the
criminal justice system when compared to the other individuals living in the country. My culture
has taught to believe in equality and considering all the individuals regardless of their culture and
values. Aboriginal culture and maximum part of their population are having disadvantages and
suffering from inequality in the different aspects of social life, in comparison with other sections
of the society. However, its is good that they are attaining the same level of public benefits as
non- aboriginal people.

The speech given by the Prime minister of Australia was one of the most powerful
speeches highlighting the negative impact of white settlement in Australia on the indigenous
people, culture and society. It called for developing new departments which will deliver
programs for the benefits of Aboriginal people. I am in favour what all was addressed in that
speech. Aboriginal people are treated very badly by other because of being backwards in many
areas of eh society. Every culture and identity has their own beliefs and opinions and one must
respect them. These people do not deserve to be treated in a bad way just because they have a
different mindset. Indigenous people are at health risk behaviour and this behaviour has a
substantial impact on the health outcomes. People who support the indigenous people and
understand their views can understand about the factors influencing their health behaviour.
Working with this team, I get to learn a lot from each member. Everyone works with a
different way and follows a different approach to a problem. Every one had a different view
about the topic and this made me open my mind to different perceptions which will not be
possible otherwise. There were some conflicts while working in the team but all were solved in
very calm way. I implanted team working skills which increased my level of communication and
skills to solve a problem. I learnt to see all the aspects before making any decision. Overall it was
a good experience working with the members of my team.
CONCLUSION
Aboriginal and Torres strait Islanders are the individuals from different locations and
speaking different languages. They have their own traditions and exhibit the relations with the
ancestral homelands. They follow a distinctive culture which is still practices by them. It can be
seen that cultural factors have a major influence on the beliefs and values of an individual. There
are many social factors which contributes to the building the identity and values. Interaction with
Aboriginal people and Torres Islanders is good they follow the old and traditional values. The
Prime Minister of Australia is supporting this community and ready to open programs which will
benefit them.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Budur, T., 2020. Effectiveness of transformational leadership among different cultures.
International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies. 7(3). pp.119-129.
Eccles, J.S. and Wigfield, A., 2020. From expectancy-value theory to situated expectancy-value
theory: A developmental, social cognitive, and sociocultural perspective on motivation.
Contemporary Educational Psychology. 61. p.101859.
Temple, J.B. and Russell, J., 2018. Food insecurity among older Aboriginal and Torres Strait
islanders. International journal of environmental research and public health. 15(8).
p.1766.
Temple, J.B., Kelaher, M. and Paradies, Y., 2019. Prevalence and context of racism experienced
by older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Australasian journal on ageing, 38(1).
pp.39-46.