In my undergraduate, I took four courses that incorporated
In my undergraduate, I took four courses that incorporated
The origin of oppression, that leads to marginalization and alienation in social services stems from an unbalanced dynamic between a dominant group, the social service personnel, that have the authority and power to implement social service policies, to people that are dependent on these services. Anderson and Carter (2003) explain this dynamic by describing how the creation of social services is based on the realization that there are people from society that requires state intervention primarily due to socio-economic reasons such as poverty and unemployment. This realization created a system wherein many people become dependent on social services and as cite explain, become susceptible to the opinions and judgment of the people responsible…
Part 2: Summary of Social Work Speaks and “Unit 3” The section “Poverty and Economic Justice” in Social Work Speaks discusses the economy and its balance, or lack thereof, as well as the people who are impacted by the economy’s debilitating imbalance. The PowerPoint titled “Unit 3: Children and Poverty” helps to further understand the poverty crisis that our society is facing by focusing on the children who live in poverty. The social work profession is there to help those who are most vulnerable: children, single parents, older adults, and families that are financially oppressed. In modern social work the professionals help with not only economic policies but they also help create a safety net as well as support systems for those in need.…
This presentation outlined why it is important for social workers to plan an active role in policy making. It discussed the ways in policy directly affects practice. It outlined different ways social workers can become active and effective in influencing policy. As well as ways that social workers can empower their clients to become active in policy.…
places these restrictions formally or covertly on oppressed groups so that they may be exploited…
Social Work, an Empowering Profession, 8th. Ed. DuBuois, B. and Miley, K (2011), Allyn & Bacon…
In addition to this, this essay will discuss the importance for social workers to have a clear understanding that “discrimination is the process (or a set of processes) that leads to oppression” and that in order “To challenge oppression, it is therefore necessary to challenge discrimination.” (Thompson 2001) This essay will draw attention to the importance of this understanding as within social work practice there is a danger that social workers could reinforce the oppression and discrimination against their service user, “ There is no middle ground: intervention either adds to oppression (or at least condones it) or goes some small way towards easing or breaking such oppression.” (Thompson 1992)…
The relevance of this struggle is significant to future work as a social worker. According to Cox (2008), there is a rise of inequality throughout America. As seen in the videos, it is important as social workers to understand and acknowledge the effects of mountaintop removal throughout Appalachia. This struggle results in implications and urgency for all individuals, especially those in the Appalachian, rural, and small town environments. Innovation has an important role in the inclusion of social policies (Pennsylvania municipalities, n.d.). According to NASW (2008), one of a social worker’s responsibilities is to enhance the well-being of all individuals. In other words, social workers improve the quality of life of individuals through research, policy, and direct practice.…
The word oppression still exists in the everyday lives of women but has changed its tyrannical implications, meaning there is no dictator to influence or force negative actions toward women gender. According to Iris Young, the author of the chapter Five Faces of Oppression, the word oppression has come to represent communities and individuals that are being discriminated by the way society is structured, rather than a single leader oppression. Most people do not think women are subjected to discrimination but it still exists, yet women individually have proven that they are able to overcome it.…
Scholars propose that integrating a social justice advocacy role into the core identity of professional counselors will help redress past and current societal oppression of marginalized population (Constantine, Hage, Kindaichi, & Bryan, 2009). Many counselors believe that social justice and advocacy has no positive outcome in the field counseling. However, scholars in the article, “Are Consultation and Social Justice Advocacy Similar?: Exploring the Perceptions of Professional Counselors and Counseling Students,” propose many knowledgeable reasons of why they believe that advocacy and social justice is a fundamental premise for professional counseling in the 21st century. Social justice in counseling takes place when counselors strive to concurrently promote human development and the common good through addressing challenges to both individual and distributive justice (Crethar & Ratts, n.d.). Counselors…
The oppression can impact the daily functioning of African Americans. This negative impact can lead to this population feeling powerless, and viewing their life as being stressful because of race (Manning, Cornelius, & Okundaye, 2004). To free the caged bird as a social worker, empowerment would be the best…
Social workers work with variety of clients i.e. individuals, families, groups and communities, promoting social changes and social inclusion, empowering clients and helping them to take control over their lives. They base their job on principles of Human rights, social justice following the Code of Practice, Ethics and Values of social work. This includes multiple tasks of investigating and assessing the needs and circumstances of clients, providing services according to individual needs, engaging in problem solving and preventing harmful situations. Social workers organise protection plans, provide reports for other professionals and contribute for multi-agency work, organise advocacy enabling clients to voice their opinions and needs to improve their lives. Social workers take part in researching and collecting information about social problems to improve social system for dynamically changing society.…
I am Brazilian with Korean heritage, born and raised in Sao Paulo. Although I had the resources for good education and health, I was never in peace knowing that others needed help or were in disadvantage. My emphatic nature has shown early on in my life. When I was eight years old, I started rescuing cats and dogs from the streets on my walk home from school. I felt responsible to protect them from accidents and other harms.…
I grew up in a typical Mexican household in southwest Detroit, and it was not until recently when I became aware of what this meant. Being a Latino student in this country means I am not expected to make it far; it means the higher success I reach in academia, the lonelier I will become. “A Mexican boy, from a dirt-poor village, from Detroit, go to college? HA. Good luck with that.” These discriminatory ideas that society tries to implant in me only strengthen and encourage me to strive for greater success. I am proud to say that breaking stereotypes has become a hobby for me. I am at the top of my class, an active member of my community, have leadership positions in several organizations, I perform professionally in a cultural band, and I even compete in soccer year-round. While people of my background are consistently trapped at the bottom of the social hierarchy, I am proud of who I am and I would not change it for the world. My low socioeconomic status and the racial marginalization I suffer in this country has made me the vibrant young man I am today and formulated my long-term goal to rid my family from the shackles of…
‘Equality is about creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfill their potential’ (London deanery, 2012).Equality does not mean that everyone has to be treated the same. People have different needs and ambitions, every person should have equality of opportunity. Promoting equality should remove discrimination in all of the areas of bullying, harassment or victimization.…
Social work is a practice-based profession as well as an academic discipline that advocates social change, development, and the empowerment and liberation of society for individuals and communities in need. Professionals in the field of social work help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges such as poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, physical illness, divorce, loss, unemployment, educational problems, disabilities and mental illnesses. They help prevent crises by counseling individuals, families, and communities to cope more effectively with the stresses of everyday life. Social work is based upon the principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities. My ambition to be…