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Strengths and weaknesses in social work
Strengths and weaknesses in social work
Strengths and weaknesses in social work
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Micro Level “What is my agency’s purpose and what is my role as a social worker in this context?” This is a micro and mezzo issue and related to the core competencies of Professional Identity and Practice Contexts. “Does my agency have any component that may deter vulnerable populations such as women of color and other minority groups from retaining our services?” This issue can also be presented on the micro and mezzo levels because it will address the gender, racial and ethnic dynamics of the staff working at the agency, while gauging the comfort level this particular client would require. In addition, this issue would take into consideration the staff’s attitudes toward minorities and the agency’s reputation within the community. This …show more content…
Being that the clients should be engaged as the expert of their own lives, this issue can be connected on both the micro and mezzo levels that are related to the core competencies of Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice. “Is the client being currently abused and is their safety or health at risk?” This is a micro issue that is related to the core competencies of Assessing the Individuals and Families. By utilizing critical thinking and assessing the client’s needs the social worker will be more equipped in selecting the most suitable intervention for this client. “How may the client’s demographics and family relationships facilitate interventions and client goals?” This is a micro issue that takes in account the worker’s ability to utilize practice skills in developing an empathetic understanding of the client’s cultural uniqueness. From a strength based perspective, the social worker can draw on the client’s family and cultural attributes to collaboratively identify multiple interventions tailored to suit their cultural identity. This issue relates to the competency of Engaging with Individuals and Families through use of empathetic and interpersonal …show more content…
“How will the current political climate affect the implementation of domestic violence legislations?” Social workers must be attuned to the legislations mandating and limiting services the client will require.The worker will need to identify contextual considerations that would apply to social policies that the criminal justice system may be apprehensive in enforcing. This is a macro level issue related to the core competency of Engaging in Policy Practice that is aimed at advocating for advancement of human rights through policy reforms. “Does the client have access and utilization to medical care?” Domestic violence is a public health issue that is an underreported crime within marginalized populations that many women of color belong to. The Affordable Care Act is a critical source f medical insurance for many minority groups; therefore, we must be aware of the system and political agendas that aim at removing critical health care subsidies concerning domestic violence. This is a macro issue that relates to Engaging in Policy Practice affecting the delivery of social
Like child abuse, it affects every American by impacting those we love the most. Awareness for domestic violence victims has evolved since the beginning of our country. In earlier times, it was a private matter, and took place “behind closed doors”. They helped them past their sufferings and place them back into mainstream culture. (Karmen, 2015) Claims one movement that assisted with the process is the Feminist Movement. This widespread movement took place during the 1970’s, and represented the “beaten women”. It helped them stand up for themselves during their distraught times. Domestic tranquility ensures women their safety at home under their husbands’ protection. The Feminist’s Movement questioned domestic tranquility and urged women to stand up for themselves (Karmen, 2015). They discovered the “silent crisis” that lived inside so many women at the time. The crisis was that the men they married gave into the times of “behind closed doors” and “look the other way”. Those times would stand no more, due to the feminist’s movement and widespread awareness. Laws and legislation have changed since the rediscovery of the victims of domestic violence. One example is restraining orders. Restraining orders set up a level of protection for the women from the male offenders. Another example of legislation is The Violence Against Women Act. Promulgated in 1994 the act mandates that all states enforce protective orders issued in a
The challenges that the social worker identified and the impact the abuse could have on Brandon include the trauma and abuse, illness and struggle may be injurious, but they may also be sources of challenge and opportunity. Every environment is full of resources. Resources can provide great strengths. One of social workers’ major roles is to link clients with the resources they need to empower them to improve their lives (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman,
Domestic violence is a problem in our country with nearly 1 million women experiencing at least one incident of domestic abuse each year, (2009/10 British Crime Survey). Social-program funding is being scrutinized in the current economic climate with doubts as to whether American tax dollars should be used to help victims of domestic violence. Cutting funds for government programs that assist victims of domestic violence is not an option for many reasons. In this essay I will explore some of the many ways these programs help our fellow citizens in order to support the argument for continuing to fund said programs.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002: 84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female. As a consequence, the racial diversity in US has created an impact on the current policy implementation and programs. This will helps us identify which individuals are reporting the greatest domestic violence rates regarding race, ethnicity, marital status and educational level. By studying the domestic violence abuse rates among races will help to identify which social class is currently being impacted. Action is needed for the destination of funding and development of programs aimed to help the
Difficulty engaging clients may occur when the social worker has limited knowledge about the cultures of the client, including appropriate body language, asking culturally sensitive questions and even assessing the needs based on their cultural beliefs and values. For example, one of the client’s that was referred to TSI for a substance abuse evaluation. With her assessment completed, a referral was made to intensive outpatient treatment.
Cultural Competence Understanding culture is an important aspect of being a social worker; this does not mean learning common cultural traits is of great significance to the social work profession. “Consider the second-generation Japanese-American social worker whose practice consists of Mexican-American and African-American families. Memorizing national traits or cultural rituals would be interesting and informative, but ultimately these would be an inaccurate basis on which to “know” these particular families” (Dorfman, 1996, p. 33). When understanding cultural competence, it is important to learn from the client about their culture in order to serve them in the most helpful and efficient way possible. There is a major drawback to memorizing information, and that is, this information will not give you a real understanding of who your client is and what life experiences they have personally faced.
However, Johnson & Munich state that the means by which the social worker learn about the client's life, culture, and circumstances are contradictory to theories of cultural competence. (2009). Furthermore, problems by redefining conventional theories to acknowledge the client's view
Furthermore, domestic violence is mentioned as an important social problem that lack supporters. “So when abusive women request help from domestic violence agencies, they may discover that requests for treatment are dismissed” (Bryfunski, par. 26). Even “The lack of ...
I conducted an interview with Barbara Schauland, MS, Rehabilitation Counselor, Branch Office Manager, regarding her experiences working with culturally diverse clients in the field of vocational rehabilitation. Ms. Schauland has been employed with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services for five and a half years. During her time with the agency she has worked as a general field counselor serving adult population, as a specialized counselor working with the deaf and hard of hearing, and now is a branch office manager. Ms. Schauland supervises ten Rehabilitation Counselors, three Rehabilitation Service Associates (para-professionals) and one Office Assistant. During the interview Ms. Schauland was
Domestic violence is a complex issue that plagues society regularly. Judicial systems all over the United States have attempted to create regulations to protect victims of domestic abuse. Furthermore, scattered scarcely throughout the United States are non-profit and small organizations which attempt to supplement the judicial protection with additional resources. Nevertheless, domestic abuse seems to be much bigger than any services these systems can maintain. Victims of domestic violence suffer with harmful issues even judicial and non-profit systems have yet to overcome and as society advances, even more issue seem to arise.
However, domestic violence is not a new issue within our society. For centuries, women have been regarded as the property of men, offering them leeway in the enforcement of domestic abuse laws. Public opinion held that as heads of households, they had the right to discipline their wife and children as they saw fit. Eventually, women came to view this prevailing belief as truth. An inevitable outcome was their denial as victims at all. They simply saw it as the way it was and accepted it as such. Non-intervention has typically been the preferred method in regard to family matters. The long standing belief held that ‘what happened behind closed doors was no one’s business other than that family’s’ ruled the attitudes of society, the lega...
A therapist will face problems, issues and client troubles everyday. The professional must understand how their client relates to the world around them. These feelings and ideas affect how the client sees the problem and how they respond to their situation. Their actions, in turn, have bearing on individual thoughts, needs, and emotions. The therapist must be aware of the client's history, values, and culture in order to provide effective therapy. This paper will outline and provide information as to the importance of cultural competence and diversity in family therapy.
What can we say about domestic violence in this country that has not been said already? Is it that it happens in our everyday lives but no one ever talks about it in the media? As a woman I say this with great reluctance in regards to one of my sources: “Most of the reported abuse cases happen in poor and crime- ridden neighborhoods where couples or families in crisis have little to no access to counseling or remedies.” My interest is, does counseling really work? One of my sources is “Normlessness, Domestic Violence, and Social Practice” by Sharleen Andrews. This article talks about Implications for Social Work with Families, and How Anomie Affects the Latino Community. Another source is Dying for Love: The Epidemic of Domestic Abuse Cases by Kimberly Davis. This article speaks about how women are in the most danger after they get out of an abusive relationship, and also touches on different perspectives.
Module five helped me to expand my knowledge in relation to the community responses to domestic violence, as well as dating violence and elder abuse and community agencies resources related to domestic violence. Back in the 1970’s if an officer responded to a domestic violence call, most of the time the officer would recommend the couple or family to contact a family services agency because the police thought domestic violence calls were a family problem not a police problem. “In the 1980’s, laws were enacted and procedures were set in place that were directed toward protecting the victims of domestic violence”. (Cahill, Davis, DeBoard, Gibson, Johnson, Marcon, & West, 2011) Now, when police responds to a domestic violence call they usually
I would to begin this paper with an authentic definition of the Social Work field. Social work practices involves facilitating change—in other words, working with others, not doing something to them or for them(Dubois). Most people and social workers would always use the world ‘help’ in some way or form when defining social workers. Which is true but the confusion come in when asked where they work, who they assist and how they differ from other helping professions. Social workers can be sustain abuse therapists, child welfare specialists, and school social workers. We are not limited to just the department of social services. They can work in nursing homes, hospitals, and even in legislation.