Ruru Parirau: Mäori & Alcohol

Ruru Parirau: Mäori & Alcohol

RURU PARIRAU: MÄORI & ALCOHOL The importance of destabilising negative stereotypes and the implications for policy and practice Kristen Maynard* Sarah Wright † Shirleyanne Brown‡ Abstract A key challenge for the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) is to fi nd innovative ways to address the disproportionate levels of alcohol- related harm that Mäori experience. Some negative images of Mäori drinking, such as those in the movie adaptation of Alan Duff’s Once Were Warriors, have become a self-fulfi lling prophecy for far too many Mäori. Consequently, the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC), now part of HPA, has been working on ways to destabilise these negative images. This article explores the concept of stereotypes and how it can affect alcohol use by Mäori. It also offers some practical ideas for what can be done to mitigate the impacts of negative stereotyping. Keywords stereotypes, Mäori, alcohol, policy, social marketing, health promotion * Principal Policy Advisor, Health Promotion Agency, Wellington, New Zealand. Email: k.maynard@hpa.org.nz † Researcher, Health Promotion Agency, Wellington, New Zealand. Email: s.wright@hpa.org.nz ‡ Northern Regional Manager, Health Promotion Agency, Wellington, New Zealand (at the time of writing). Email: shirleyanne.brown032@msd.govt.nz MAI_Jrnl_2013_V2_iss2_3rd_a.indd 78 6/12/13 11:32 AM MAI JOURNAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 79 Introduction stereotypes and discrimination as major and persistent infl uences on public health outcomes Alcohol is the most commonly used recrea- (Amodio & Devine, 2005; Harris, Cormack, & tional drug in Aotearoa New Zealand (Alcohol Stanley, 2013; Hatzenbuehler, Phelan, & Link, Advisory Council of New Zealand [ALAC] & 2013). This article discusses the role of stereo- Ministry of Health, 2001) with approximately types and their potential impact on alcohol use 80% of New Zealanders reporting having a by Mäori, drawing from insights of postcolonial drink from time to time (Ministry of Health, theory and discourse perspectives. It challenges 2013). While most New Zealand drinkers aged the way in which state sector agencies typically 16–64 years do not consume large amounts of operate and proposes a number of “conscious alcohol on a typical drinking occasion, or do so practices” toward destabilising negative ste- less than once a month, national surveys con- reotypes that could be applied to state service sistently show that around 20%–25% consume policy and practice. large amounts of alcohol on a typical drinking “Ruru parirau” in the title of this article occasion (Fryer, Jones, & Kalafatelis, 2011; means “shake your wings” and refers here to Ministry of Health, 2009, 2013). This pattern Mäori shaking off the negative stereotypes that of drinking carries with it the risk of injury, have been placed on them by society so that death, road trauma, crime and disorder, drown- they may be free to reach their full potential. ing, burns and alcohol poisoning. Risky occasional drinking is the major fac- tor contributing to New Zealand’s high level Mäori and alcohol of acute alcohol- related harm such as that just described. It is a practice most common among Koia te riri pokanoa, Ka kai ki te waipiro young people aged 18–24 years (Ministry of ka kai ki te whakamä ki te mau-ä- hara, Me Health, 2008). The proportion of Mäori and whakarere atu ëna mahi kino e hika mä. Pacifi c drinkers who engage in risky occasional drinking is also high (Ministry of Health, 2008, Hence this needless strife, which comes from 2009, 2013), refl ecting, in part, the youthful- the consumption of liquor from shame, from ness of the Mäori and Pacifi c populations. hatred. Therefore I say abandon these evil Efforts to reduce the availability and acces- ways my friends. (Te Kooti Arikirangi Te sibility of alcohol and transform the overall Turuki, Rongowhakaata, 1887, as cited in social context within which New Zealanders Binney, 2012, p. 380) drink are likely to have positive fl ow- on effects for addressing harm among these population Prior to colonisation, Mäori appeared to be one groups. These efforts include the changes being of the few indigenous populations worldwide introduced by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol that did not produce alcohol, and when alcohol Act (2012) such as parental consent being was introduced by the colonists most Mäori required to supply alcohol to a person less avoided it. This general aversion continued than 18 years, maximum trading hours unless into the mid- 1800s (Hutt, 1999). The use of specifi ed by local councils, and restrictions on alcohol by Mäori increased after this time, alcohol promotions and where alcohol can be however. Some Mäori were encouraged to run sold. However, to ensure that the potential up large debts with their local publicans, which benefi ts of these measures reach these groups in then could be settled with land (Cullen, 1984). an equitable and effective manner, other factors Alcohol also became a means for dealing with need to be taken into account. the subsequent spiritual, social and economic There is a growing understanding of stigma, hardship following the land wars (1860–1872) MAI_Jrnl_2013_V2_iss2_3rd_a.indd 79 6/12/13 11:32 AM 80 MAI JOURNAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 (Banwell, 1991; Cullen, 1984). The early 20th upon prior experiences and knowledge in order century brought with it closer contact with to make sense of new situations (Dyer, 1977). European settlers as Mäori were employed Stereotypes, however, do more than position across the forestry and meat export industries, by commonalties; they reduce people to a few a trend that increased with the urbanisation simplifi ed and exaggerated features which are of Mäori from the 1940s. The combination then understood to be inherent and natural of independent income, easier access to alco- (Hall, 1997). Stereotyping tends to occur where hol, and alienation from traditional support there are inequalities of power and is most often structures had a profound effect upon Mäori employed by the dominant group towards “oth- drinking practices (Durie, 2001; Hutt, 1999). ers”. Further, “people remember more readily There were many efforts on behalf of rangat- instances that support the stereotype while ira to regulate the use of alcohol among Mäori tending to discount instances that challenge it” across the early colonial period. In 1856, peti- (Goleman, 1995, p. 157). tions and letters were presented to the House of A generalised stereotype of Mäori perme- Representatives by Ngäti Mahuta asking that ates New Zealand’s socio- political landscape drink be kept from them. In 1866 a petition through news, art, literature, fi lm- making, edu- from six Arawa chiefs asking that no licence be cation, justice and politics (Bradley & Walters, allowed on their land was received by the House 2011; Jackson, 1988; Matheson, 2007; Mita, of Representatives. In 1879 all South Island 1993; Quince, 2007; Smith, 1999; Walker, tribes petitioned Parliament for the total pro- 2002) and tends to be the predominant repre- hibition of alcohol in the southern provinces, sentation of Mäori by mainstream media (Nairn and in Türanganui ä Kiwa a central body of et al., 2012). This stereotype depicts Mäori chiefs forbade the consumption of liquor and as “trouble makers, lazy, unintelligent, dirty, fi ned offenders (Hutt, 1999). aggressive, easygoing and friendly” (Holmes, Efforts to minimise alcohol-related harm are Murachver, & Bayard, 2001, p. 1) or, more also evident in the 21st century. Many marae, abstractly, as “bad, mad or sad” (Kiro as cited for example, are alcohol- free (Durie, 2001). in “Media Stereotyping”, 2010). Despite these efforts, Mäori today suffer more The structural effects of this stereotype negative effects from alcohol consumption than are well documented. The overrepresentation non- Mäori (Connor, Broad, Jackson, Vander of Mäori in prison has been linked to biases Hoom, & Rehm, 2005) due to a high pro- in the criminal justice system and its agents portion engaging in risky occasional drinking (such as the police) (Jackson, 1988; Bradley (Ministry of Health, 2013). & Walters, 2011; Workman, 2011) and there are a number of research reports to sup- port this (Fergusson, Horwood, & Lynskey, The power of stereotypes 1993; Maxwell, Robertson, Kingi, Morris, & Cunningham, 2004). Preconceptions and The power of the stereotypes that buttress prejudices also contribute to unequal education prejudice comes in part from a more neutral outcomes. Low teacher expectations of Mäori dynamic in the mind that makes stereotypes of students have been found to have negative all kinds self- confi rming. (Gaertner & Dovidio impacts on Mäori achievement (Rubie- Davies, as cited in Goleman, 1995, p. 157) Hattie, & Hamilton, 2003; Waiti & Hipkins, 2002; Scherer & Jackson, 2008; Wall, 1997). It is an inherent human habit to “type” things The experience of ethnic discrimination has also and people into broad categories that have been shown to adversely affect a range of health characteristics in common. It enables us to draw and well- being outcomes for young Mäori and MAI_Jrnl_2013_V2_iss2_3rd_a.indd 80 6/12/13 11:32 AM MAI JOURNAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 81 minority ethnic groups (Crengle, Robinson, working hypothesis is as follows: Ameratunga, Clark, & Raphael, 2012; Human Rights Commission, 2011). 1. Images of Mäori as portrayed in the media The effects of stereotypes on identity con- and other forms of communication create a struction have also been long recognised social perception of the Mäori population (Carter, 1991; Corrigan, 2005; Goffman, 1963; or particular segments of the population. Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013; Mead, 1934), and 2. This perception leads to assumptions that there is a significant body of research con- affect the way in which Mäori are gener- cerned with tensions that Mäori experience ally treated and/or the way in which some in negotiating their self- images within a socio- Mäori see themselves. historical context of cultural annexation and 3. This general treatment and self- perception alienation (Borell, 2005; Hokowhitu, 2004; reinforce the stereotype.

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