Work and economic status

Home: Workers: Counselling Issues: Aboriginal issues

In many communities employment opportunities for the Aboriginal revolves around the Aboriginal organisations. A lot of Aboriginal people do not wish to work with the white Australians because of their lack of understanding of Aboriginal culture and the taunts, jibes and jokes that are made about their life. The Aboriginal people will often feel rejected and humiliated due to difference in values.

Aboriginal people can also be reluctant to work in mainstream organisations, because of the structure associated with the job i.e. commencing work at prescribed times, lack of flexibility to support their family commitments.

Conflict for Aboriginal people working in mainstream exists between their family life and commitments, and of what work colleagues and supervisors expect from them.

The reality of Aboriginal communities is that many families and individuals are dependent on a pension and or benefit. As a reflection of economic status and cultural lifestyle many Aboriginal people have never had much money and do not necessarily manage or plan for it well. Money is often spent quickly as the need for money tomorrow or the next week is not seen as the immediate need.

Aboriginal people are reluctant to utilise services in an environment and/or with people that they are unfamiliar with. In fact they will take any opportunity to avoid contact with unfamiliar faces. On the whole, Aboriginal people do not seek structured lifestyles and so avoid structured environments, services and facilities such as supermarkets, health services and the like.

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