Jane Addams Vs Mccarthyism

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In the Nineteenth century with the rise of racism and the ideologies of morality being a determinant in the prosperity of individuals two very different types of social agencies emerged. One approach was created based off Social Darwinism theories of Hebert Spencer who believed that "weeding out of inferior specimens" would in turn create more room for the deserving (Schlesinger & White, 1963, p. 123). On the contrary the other approached was created by Jane Addams which grew out of the Charity Movement but became more centered around people as a community and not the person in isolation. For many these approaches were very different and created a social divide between the people's ideology of how the poor should be assisted. For many …show more content…

Contrary to the beliefs of Josephine Shaw Lowell, Jane Addams felt that urbanization had created an isolated way of life and it was important for individuals to be part of a community where they all could feel supported. She felt that people could gain a better understanding of themselves by having other human relationships (Schlesinger & White, 1963). The people of Hull House had the opportunity to learn and experience things that they may not have been able to in the past and it also provided a showcase of the skills and talents of all. It provided a place to create and encourage social, educational, and altruistic opportunities' to be able to improve the lives of individuals (Addams, 1912, p. 112). Jane Addams also felt that all social workers should have the capacity to be able to try to imagine yourself in the other individuals' shoes because people have more similarities then the things that set them apart for another (Addams, …show more content…

I believe that into today's society many people are becoming more isolated from the outside world and the actions of community are starting to diminish as they did in the Progressive Era. I believe by creating a community of support as Jane Addams did it helps to make people feels more validated in their own strengths and helps others learn more about each other and the break down stereotypes and bias they may have. Integration of both Micro and Macro social work are essential because at the Micro level of social work you are working more with individuals that are affected by the ideologies, programs, and polices made on a higher social level. It is essential to be able to work with individuals and families to educate them on their rights and to get them to a place where they feel as though their voice matters in the bigger sense of reform and social change. It is also the civic duty of a social worker to advocate and be educated in reforms that may create barriers to individuals and to lobby for the rights of others who may not feel like they will be heard. You cannot effectively work with individuals if they are not being treated equally by the programs that were designed to assist them. Without advocacy social and policy changes will not

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