Types Of Practices: Macro, Micro, And Mezzo
Macro Systems paper
BSHS/325
February 1, 2014
Laura Cobb
Macro Systems paper
Social work is a very complex and rewarding field to get into if someone really wants to make a difference in the world. There are three types of practices that are involved in social work they are known as Macro, Micro, and Mezzo. Social workers will experience many different challenges such as societal, and domestic problems. It is very important for a social worker to be able to find a way to empower their clients, allowing the clients to get into a better place in their lives. It is not easy being a social worker there is a lot of hard work poured into the field. As social workers we must respond to many hardships such as poverty, maltreatment, abuse, and …show more content…
delinquency. “Many people choose this industry because they want to help people. They can see others pain and want to help relieve it.” (myinsulinblog 2015)
Personal empowerment is when a person is able to be competent and in control of themselves.
They are able to be self-efficient and self- reliant. This form of empowerment means that they are able to effect change and have a sense of power and control over themselves. Political empowerment’s general goals are about change and social control. It is about political structures and a person’s relationship with them. This process transfers capabilities to people who do not possess, capabilities positions, and resources. The third form of empowerment is interpersonal. The ability of a person to influence others. This can have to do with the social status of a person, or the skills that they may …show more content…
possess.
If someone gets into the field of Human Services and social working they will find themselves in one of the three systems of social working. Micro, Macro, and Mezzo.” Micro level practice focuses on personal interaction with your client or consumer on an individual level or with a couple or family.” (blogspot 2012) Micro systems is generally a one on one kind of system. ” A micro-level intervention could entail a clinical social worker interacting with a client at a mental health facility. Alternatively, it could encompass a school social worker counseling a truant student or a caseworker working one on one with a client at a homeless shelter.” (blogspot 2012) Mezzo interaction may bring forth people who may not be as close as a family, or couples. This may mean neighbors, or members of a community. “Examples of mezzo scale work includes group therapy counseling, self-help groups or neighborhood community associations.” (blogspot 2012) Macro perhaps is the largest system because it may involve micro and mezzo issues as well. A person’s involvement may be planning, and policy changes. It has a focus of networking, and coordinating together different programs to create a continuum of care for the clients.
In a Macro system there are three basic forms of responses moderate, mild and severe. In a mild case there is usually some form of early intervention, or some form of family support used. They may work with housing assistance, or other informal/formal services that may be needed, while parent education may also be a really good example of how they may deal with a mild situation. Next, we have moderate cases. These are a tad bit more serious than mild and the methods of handling these may include coordinated family support, community support, and formal services. Finally, we have severe cases and these should not be handled lightly. In a severe case actions such as reunification, , foster care, adoption, court ordered services and even criminal prosecution is used in many cases. Depending on the seriousness of the case depends on which types of responses a social worker will have to pursue. Many issues like maltreatment, sexual abuse, delinquency, and child abuse should be handled in a very cautious and serious manor. There are many hotlines, and systems that can be called upon in case of these types of situations occur.
When it comes to poverty both functionalism, and the interactionist theory have two different ideas about it.
“According to the functionalist view, stratification is a necessary and inevitable consequence of the need to use the promise of financial reward to encourage talented people to pursue important jobs and careers.” (Lardbucket.org 2012) They say that the poor do the jobs that no one else wants to do, and also use used goods such as clothing, and older foods that would not be eaten otherwise. Then “According to symbolic interactionism, social class affects how people interact in everyday life and how they view certain aspects of the social world.” (Lardbucket.org 2012)This means that they believe that poverty depends on social class. If they grew up poor and all they know is poverty. Than it is more likely for them to repeat what they have seen others do because it is all that they know and that it is a normal way to
be.
There are many ways a social worker can show responsibility in a macro environment. They may provide services in schools linking the school with parents so that the students are getting the right education. They may be able to assist people that have problems with drugs, alcohol and even unplanned pregnancies. Some take time to help with senior citizen needs, or family functioning. They can also help with employment. Whether it be helping someone to cope with a particular job that they currently hold, or someone trying to obtain a job. Many times social workers need to assess someone who is having physical, and mental health problems. They generally do the planning and networking to ensure that the clients are getting the proper care, meanwhile ensuring that the care is continued.
Social working is perhaps one of the most complex fields to work in. It can both be very stressful and rewarding. Usually when people go into this type of field they have a want to help people, and really want to make a difference in the world. Whether it is something small like feeding someone in need, or something major like responding to a child abuse case all aspects of social work is important. It is also important to use the right networks, and systems to ensure the best possible care for our clients.
References
Blogspot. (October 2012): Micro, Mezzo and Macro Social Work. Retrieved from: http://another-mirror.blogspot.com/2012/10/micro-mezzo-and-macro-social-work.html Myinsulinblog. (2015). Social Workers Job Description-Mezzo,Micro,Macro and Salaries: Retrieved from http://myinsulinblog.com/social-workers-job-description-mezzomicromacro-and-salaries/
Lardbucket. (2012). Explaining Poverty: Retrieved from http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/a-primer-on-social-problems/s05-03-explaining-poverty.html
BSHS/325
February 1, 2014
Laura Cobb
Macro Systems paper
Social work is a very complex and rewarding field to get into if someone really wants to make a difference in the world. There are three types of practices that are involved in social work they are known as Macro, Micro, and Mezzo. Social workers will experience many different challenges such as societal, and domestic problems. It is very important for a social worker to be able to find a way to empower their clients, allowing the clients to get into a better place in their lives. It is not easy being a social worker there is a lot of hard work poured into the field. As social workers we must respond to many hardships such as poverty, maltreatment, abuse, and …show more content…
delinquency. “Many people choose this industry because they want to help people. They can see others pain and want to help relieve it.” (myinsulinblog 2015)
Personal empowerment is when a person is able to be competent and in control of themselves.
They are able to be self-efficient and self- reliant. This form of empowerment means that they are able to effect change and have a sense of power and control over themselves. Political empowerment’s general goals are about change and social control. It is about political structures and a person’s relationship with them. This process transfers capabilities to people who do not possess, capabilities positions, and resources. The third form of empowerment is interpersonal. The ability of a person to influence others. This can have to do with the social status of a person, or the skills that they may …show more content…
possess.
If someone gets into the field of Human Services and social working they will find themselves in one of the three systems of social working. Micro, Macro, and Mezzo.” Micro level practice focuses on personal interaction with your client or consumer on an individual level or with a couple or family.” (blogspot 2012) Micro systems is generally a one on one kind of system. ” A micro-level intervention could entail a clinical social worker interacting with a client at a mental health facility. Alternatively, it could encompass a school social worker counseling a truant student or a caseworker working one on one with a client at a homeless shelter.” (blogspot 2012) Mezzo interaction may bring forth people who may not be as close as a family, or couples. This may mean neighbors, or members of a community. “Examples of mezzo scale work includes group therapy counseling, self-help groups or neighborhood community associations.” (blogspot 2012) Macro perhaps is the largest system because it may involve micro and mezzo issues as well. A person’s involvement may be planning, and policy changes. It has a focus of networking, and coordinating together different programs to create a continuum of care for the clients.
In a Macro system there are three basic forms of responses moderate, mild and severe. In a mild case there is usually some form of early intervention, or some form of family support used. They may work with housing assistance, or other informal/formal services that may be needed, while parent education may also be a really good example of how they may deal with a mild situation. Next, we have moderate cases. These are a tad bit more serious than mild and the methods of handling these may include coordinated family support, community support, and formal services. Finally, we have severe cases and these should not be handled lightly. In a severe case actions such as reunification, , foster care, adoption, court ordered services and even criminal prosecution is used in many cases. Depending on the seriousness of the case depends on which types of responses a social worker will have to pursue. Many issues like maltreatment, sexual abuse, delinquency, and child abuse should be handled in a very cautious and serious manor. There are many hotlines, and systems that can be called upon in case of these types of situations occur.
When it comes to poverty both functionalism, and the interactionist theory have two different ideas about it.
“According to the functionalist view, stratification is a necessary and inevitable consequence of the need to use the promise of financial reward to encourage talented people to pursue important jobs and careers.” (Lardbucket.org 2012) They say that the poor do the jobs that no one else wants to do, and also use used goods such as clothing, and older foods that would not be eaten otherwise. Then “According to symbolic interactionism, social class affects how people interact in everyday life and how they view certain aspects of the social world.” (Lardbucket.org 2012)This means that they believe that poverty depends on social class. If they grew up poor and all they know is poverty. Than it is more likely for them to repeat what they have seen others do because it is all that they know and that it is a normal way to
be.
There are many ways a social worker can show responsibility in a macro environment. They may provide services in schools linking the school with parents so that the students are getting the right education. They may be able to assist people that have problems with drugs, alcohol and even unplanned pregnancies. Some take time to help with senior citizen needs, or family functioning. They can also help with employment. Whether it be helping someone to cope with a particular job that they currently hold, or someone trying to obtain a job. Many times social workers need to assess someone who is having physical, and mental health problems. They generally do the planning and networking to ensure that the clients are getting the proper care, meanwhile ensuring that the care is continued.
Social working is perhaps one of the most complex fields to work in. It can both be very stressful and rewarding. Usually when people go into this type of field they have a want to help people, and really want to make a difference in the world. Whether it is something small like feeding someone in need, or something major like responding to a child abuse case all aspects of social work is important. It is also important to use the right networks, and systems to ensure the best possible care for our clients.
References
Blogspot. (October 2012): Micro, Mezzo and Macro Social Work. Retrieved from: http://another-mirror.blogspot.com/2012/10/micro-mezzo-and-macro-social-work.html Myinsulinblog. (2015). Social Workers Job Description-Mezzo,Micro,Macro and Salaries: Retrieved from http://myinsulinblog.com/social-workers-job-description-mezzomicromacro-and-salaries/
Lardbucket. (2012). Explaining Poverty: Retrieved from http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/a-primer-on-social-problems/s05-03-explaining-poverty.html