Misperceptions of the Poor in Social Work
Misperceptions of the Poor in Social Work
Elizabeth Mcdermott
Sociology 110: Introduction to Social Work
Instructor TBA
7, June, 2013
Misperceptions of the Poor in Social Work Misperceptions of the poor impede effective social work. A common attitude is the poor lack motivation. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) This attitude stems from placing blaming individuals for their poverty. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) Policy practice in social work “advocate(s) for social action.” (Social Work & Social Policy, Slide 4) Blaming individuals for poverty can lead to a social worker focusing on doing for a client rather than facilitating change. Blaming individuals ignores societal features of poverty. Dubois & Miley state (2008) “… inadequacies in … society create the conditions that produce poverty.” Factual evidence refutes the poor lack motivation. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) Their strong work ethic makes them cling to jobs below poverty level. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) Underemployment is common. (Dubois & Miley, 2008)
Structures like the organization of the economy play a role in poverty. (Dubois & Miley, 2008). Social workers must advocate for social action. They are facilitators of change. In her handbook for facilitators, Prendiville (2008) states, “through facilitation, group members come to value and develop their own expertise and skills.” Clients must be part of the solution, not just a problem to be dealt with. A social worker must see beyond blaming the poor if they are to facilitate and not simply act upon the poor. As a population, the poor do not lack motivation. The structures of society play a role in creating the conditions producing poverty. Policy practice requires advocacy for social action. Society is more than the sum of the individuals who comprise
Elizabeth Mcdermott
Sociology 110: Introduction to Social Work
Instructor TBA
7, June, 2013
Misperceptions of the Poor in Social Work Misperceptions of the poor impede effective social work. A common attitude is the poor lack motivation. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) This attitude stems from placing blaming individuals for their poverty. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) Policy practice in social work “advocate(s) for social action.” (Social Work & Social Policy, Slide 4) Blaming individuals for poverty can lead to a social worker focusing on doing for a client rather than facilitating change. Blaming individuals ignores societal features of poverty. Dubois & Miley state (2008) “… inadequacies in … society create the conditions that produce poverty.” Factual evidence refutes the poor lack motivation. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) Their strong work ethic makes them cling to jobs below poverty level. (Dubois & Miley, 2008) Underemployment is common. (Dubois & Miley, 2008)
Structures like the organization of the economy play a role in poverty. (Dubois & Miley, 2008). Social workers must advocate for social action. They are facilitators of change. In her handbook for facilitators, Prendiville (2008) states, “through facilitation, group members come to value and develop their own expertise and skills.” Clients must be part of the solution, not just a problem to be dealt with. A social worker must see beyond blaming the poor if they are to facilitate and not simply act upon the poor. As a population, the poor do not lack motivation. The structures of society play a role in creating the conditions producing poverty. Policy practice requires advocacy for social action. Society is more than the sum of the individuals who comprise