The dictionary definition of the term critical refers to the holding of the view that something is bad or not pleasing, the giving analysis or judgment of plays or books, essential or severe. Those meanings would however not fit in the political use of the term critical social work, and it is imperative to understand the real meaning and application. In the context of social work, the terms critical social work emanated from the adoption of the critical theory which is a philosophical and sociological theory emerging from the school of social thinkers in Germany’s Frankfurt school. From the origins of the term, therefore, the emphasis of the term is not on the dictionary understanding but the sociological application. Two themes emerge from …show more content…
The social dysfunctions emanating from the politics of privilege and disproportionate distribution of resources brings about diseases, unemployment, homelessness, marginalization, substance abuse, incarcerations and lack of access to critical services in the community. A society with critically conscious social workers would not turn a blind eye when systems are falling, and the people are consumed in matters that would entrench divisions. Structural inequality is one way that results in imbalances in countries and social norms if maintained around such structures aggravate the problems (Sakamoto, 2005). Marginalization of certain groups in the society is almost a defining aspect of the history of any nation with some groups unable to access the same opportunities regarded as the preserve of the more fortunate in the community. The marginalization may be explicit or implicit with failure to be recognized defining some of the society’s problems. Some of the explicit marginalization include when laws determine different levels of application barring some communities from accessing some services. Implicit marginalization is harder to counter as social workers are often faced with denials and lack of acceptance of the
Critical Social Work practice is an ideological framework that bridges the gap between a dichotomous approach, in which there is struggle between delivering services to the individual or targeting social structures (Salas et al., 2010, p. 91). A practitioner analyzes both the macro and micro levels to determine the best course of action (Hayden, 2016). York University uses critical social work as their framework to avoid a dichotomous practice by presenting an innovative mission statement which is in align with the theory’s principles shaping the profession.
In the article, “Social Work and Social Reform: An Arena of Struggle” Abramovitz analysis and acknowledges the social work profession and the barriers throughout its existence. M. Abramovitz addresses the significance of social work in the history of activism in the 20th century and the interference to social reform and political prevalence of the profession. The author Mimi Abramovitz has a firm belief that the struggle with social work is the relationship between social work and social reform. This relationship reflects the internal and external politics involved with social work.
To begin, Case Critical is a sixth edition book that gives readers deep insight on the history, the challenges and the possibilities in the Canadian social services and social justice domain. The author Ben Carniol is a social work professor at Ryerson University and has over forty years of experience, which has helped contribute to social work education. Carniol discusses social services and social justice starting from the early 1400’s until the 20th century. This book is definitely educational and a good read. The author was very honest in his writing and gave thorough examples to elaborate on what was being discussed. Personally, the most important part about this authors writing style was how he took on the role of both those who
Cunningham, M. (2012). Integrating Spirituality in Clinical Social Work Practice: Walking the Labyrinth (1 ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc.
Most social workers in North America start their promising career with a social service organization armed with a burning desire to solve a social problem, contribute to society, or anything noble in purpose. They are usually in the forefront in any crusade against oppression committed to a marginalized group. However, when such oppression is however against the social workers even within the organization where they work, it is ironic that they seem to be silent about the situation. A lot of North American social workers experience this form of oppression because it works clandestinely. Consequently, an examination will be made to explain that operation and to scrutinize the arguments why social workers need to be aware of the existence of
This essay aims to explore the characteristics that make a good quality social work assessment in child care. Martin (2010) stated that there was “no single agreed definition of social work assessment.” Coulshed and Orme (2006, p24) did not offer a formal definition but they described assessment as “…a basis for planning what needs to be done to maintain, improve or bring about change in the person, the environment or both.” According to the Maclean and Harrison (2015) good assessments must be “purposeful and timely.” This is because practitioners need to be clear about why they are carrying out assessments and what it is they wish to achieve at the end of that assessment.
One must consider the nature of oppression and how it is present within social work. The nature of oppression infiltrates all aspects of life. Social work theorist, defines oppression as “relations that divide people into dominant or superior groups and subordinate or inferior ones. These relations of domination consist of the systematic devaluing of the attributes and contributions of those deemed inferior, and their exclusion from the social resources available to those in the dominant group”. When humans experience a perceived threat to their personal identities and lack the ability to maintain and affirm a unique identity, they exclude others by contrasting themselves against a constructed, and inferior, identity of the other. To better
Social workers should be able to define and describe main social work paradigms, philosophical and ideological approaches and appreciate their implications to practice, policy and research. Social workers should be also able to identify interrelations between social work paradigms, social policy and social
This is why social workers must also be critical thinkers. Critical thinking applied to the social work profession involves “the ability to define an issue, stressor, or problem; to distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge to formulate a tentative practice direction” (Gitterman & Knight, 2013). Theories, as well as research, “about phases of individual, family and group development; about ethical, racial, religious, spiritual, and sexual identity development; and about individual, family, and group development” provide social workers with a basic starting point for a more complex and situational-based intervention plan that will later be developed. In social work practice, intervention plans and assessments are not blindly developed, but rather based off theory and research. Therefore, although social work is a profession of artistry and creativity; it is also a scientific profession enhanced by the use of theory and
Reviewing the case study before us is a complicated issue that has yet to be fully vetted through our legal system. The case study reflects a situation where a company is accused of illegally terminating employees because of their unionization efforts. After a successful election campaign instituting union representation for a group of employees, the company that employed them decided to terminate twenty employees. The reasoning behind the firings stemmed from their union actives, and as such was an illegal retaliatory act. At times companies will launch initiatives to stop the progress of union activities within their organizations.
Research is a necessity when it comes to providing services. Social Workers need it to be able to determine their clients ' needs, to see what resources/services they have access to and if their client doesn 't have much access where can they get it. Research is also used to see how effective an intervention is and whether it would be a right fit for their clients. It provides social service agents with ways to identify problems within their clients, communities, organizations, and the government. Also it helps them to create ways to aid in effective change. It is very beneficial when a social worker needs to "assess the needs and resources of people in their environments, evaluate the effectiveness of social work services in meeting people
This approach has much future promise particularly in the context of economic challenges and resource constraints. Since the African continent has problems with lack of resources it is wise that countries adopt this approach and move away from the remedial one which is costly. The developmental approach is highly friendly with social work’s historical values and commitment to achieving social justice and human rights (Midgley & Conley, 2010). However, there are limitations facing the developmental approach in social work.
The origins of social work in the United States mirror an ongoing growth of ideas put together from many different cultures. While modern social work here in the states were built on Christian idea many of its concepts are in part due to the influence of the Koran and the mutual aid practices of Native Americans, the African-American community, and immigrants from all over the world.
I am the product of divorced parents, poverty stricken environments, and a blended family, but I refuse to let that dictate the outcome of my life. At the age of ten, I had to assume the role of a fatherly figure to my three siblings, so I missed out on the typical childhood most would have had. I grew up in neighborhoods where gangs and criminal acts of violence were a pervasive occurrence, but I resiliently did not allow the peer pressures of others to force me to conform to their way of life. By the age of 15, I received my worker 's permit, and that allowed me the ability to help my mother financially in the absence of my father’s income. I worked the maximum amount of hours I could while balancing my academics and extracurricular school activities. I was a scholar athlete and triathlete in high school, and although I continuously faced much adversity, I still managed to be accepted to the University of California State, Bakersfield after I graduated from high school in 2005. Sadly, after
The social work profession is defined as “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (ISFW, ‘Global Definition of Social Work’, 2016).” The definition may be true about the profession but it is more in depth than just that. To me, the profession’s primary focus is to help others through life as much as we can while letting them make their own choices and guiding them. In society, social workers are utilized in many different nonprofit and government roles. They serve the community in many different ways from monitoring parent visits to helping people through mental illnesses. Human beings are so complex and things that happen