ipl-logo

Characteristics Of Modern Social Work

894 Words4 Pages

Modern critical social work emerged in the late 1800’s and has continued to be shaped and altered until present day (Healy, 2014). Although each social work perspective contains differences, Healy (2014) has identified four common discourses that unite the modern critical social work perspectives. Firstly, she identifies the dedication of social work professionals to work collaboratively with populations who are oppressed (as cited in Leonard, 1994). Secondly, modern critical social work perspectives recognize power differentials that occur within all relationships, especially the relationship between social workers and service users. Thirdly, these perspectives acknowledge broader systems’ influence on both individuals and social workers (as …show more content…

Some additional characteristics of modern critical social work perspectives today include the acknowledgement of the transformation of public and social services to reflect business models, new public management, and the impacts of capitalism and neoliberalism (Healy, 2014). Anti-oppressive modern critical social work is a leading perspective today. Anti-oppressive social work highlights multiple dimensions of oppression including cultural, personal and structural (Healy, 2014, p.193). Healy (2014) identifies five main components of anti-oppressive social work practice. These include the promotion of critical self-reflection by social workers and working collaboratively with service users. They also include a need for an increased understanding by social workers about forms of oppression people face, which contain oppression from the use of language to maintain unequal power relations (Dalrymple & Burke, 2006, p.150 as cited in Healy, 2014). Lastly, anti-oppressive practice encourages the empowerment of people to promote self-capacity while promoting collaboration, minimal intervention and a focus on preventative …show more content…

For example, one component of anti-oppressive practice is critical self-reflection by social workers. Critical modern social work approaches fail to identify diversity of social worker’s abilities to reflect critically depending on context, institution (Healy, 2014, p.203), education and personal barriers. A second example of the potential contradictions within modern critical social work is that of empowerment and addressing larger structural systems. For an individual, gaining insight into the power and control that structural systems play in people’s lives can be overwhelming. For individuals facing multiple barriers on psychological, individual, familial and societal levels, facing structural barriers can further contribute to feelings of powerlessness. Conversely, if social workers do not discuss these structural dimensions of power within society and instead focus only on micro-level issues, modern critical social workers continue to perpetuate unequal power

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of The Story Of Welfare Reform And The Human Services By Mimi Abramovitz

    987 Words  | 4 Pages

    In her article “The Largely Untold Story of Welfare Reform and the Human Services,” Mimi Abramovitz discusses a study done on workers or numerous welfare agencies in New York. She describes several issues experienced by many social workers that the agencies reported following the social welfare reform, including frustrations at having to take time from clinical work with their clients to explain the new welfare rules and to focus on work related issues, their decreased time with clients due to the excessive paperwork and sped up service provisions, and a perceived loss of control over their work as a result of client loss, insufficient time, and lacks in access to information and government resources. Furthermore, many social workers felt

    Read More

  • Summary: Interrupting The Cycle Of Oppression

    636 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to (Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian); author of “Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: The Role of Allies as Agents of Change”; many of us feel overwhelmed when we consider the many forms of systemic oppression that are so pervasive in American society today. We become immobilized, uncertain about what actions we can take to interrupt the cycle of oppression and violence that intrude on our everyday lives. According to (Merriam Webster); oppression, is treating someone unjustly; or cruelly exercising authority or power; weighing down body and mind (www.merriam-webster.com). The concept of oppression examines the “isim’s); racism, sexism, heterosexism, and class privilege as interlocking systems of oppression that ensues advantages for some and diminished opportunities for others; (p. 02/03).

    Read More

  • Social Work Rhetorical Analysis

    223 Words  | 1 Pages

    If the goal is to create a society in which marginalized groups are equal citizens, then Social Work has an obligation to demand a moral-system that resonates with that objective. There must be a communal (collective) account of injustice, unfairness or oppression for any government-enforced redistribution or effort for reform to be rendered equally or indiscriminately. Without an emphasis on interdependence, a caring society, empathy, and intersectionality, Social Work’s assistance or governmental interventions in people of colors’ communities cannot truly be anti-oppressive, but rather temporary solutions to intergenerational inequality, crises, disparities and social

    Read More

  • Health And Social Care Unit 1 D2

    570 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, the two mentioned ways to overcoming language barrier in the implementation of anti-discriminatory practice in health and social care, the training of staff on how to communicate better with service users for them to understand is the best. This is because the training encompasses all methods, ways and means that must be considered when communicating with people to ensure that they understand clearly what they have being told. In essence in the training they must have being taught the importance of knowing the clients individually and what is their preferred effective method, means and ways that can be used to communicate with that client. M3

    Read More

  • Critical Race Theory Social Work

    1214 Words  | 5 Pages

    Introduction I have discussed in this piece Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Anti Oppressive Practice (AOP) approach to social work. Subjects such as Race and Racism, Microaggression, White privilege, Power and Empowerment in addition with Identity are themes links these two radical theories together which I have also discussed. I have concluded the work by stressing how CRT and AOP could be use to seek social justice for Black and Minority ethnic group (BME) within the UK society. Critical Race Theory CRT CRT came into existence because of the racial oppression in united state during the 1970’s. The theory was formed in other to awaken the society at a time when relationships between races had stalled.

    Read More

  • Social Work Self Analysis

    1681 Words  | 7 Pages

    In this paper, I will assess my identity and my personal history and how it relates to social work professions. I first address my personal history and cultural background, where I came from, as well as my experience in working in the community. I then talk about my overall strengths, both in personal and professional lives. My strengths are listening skills, open-mindedness, respect for diversity and eagerness to learn and improve my weaknesses. Afterward, I discuss my weaknesses, such as nonassertive communication skill and low self-esteem problems, and how I plan to address these issues.

    Read More

  • Personal Identity In Social Work

    1353 Words  | 6 Pages

    In addition, challenges can arise when there is no commonality in identities or when identities between myself and a client are radically different. In these times, as a social worker who has a degree of power in a relationship with people seeking help, that I must acknowledge to myself that my power can impede on inclusively practicing and remain self-aware (Gelfand, Sullivan, & Steinhouse,

    Read More

  • Empowerment Theory In Social Work

    1508 Words  | 7 Pages

    Modern social workers are frequently tasked with certain objectives by their agencies, which leave little room for any work beyond specific treatments and timeframes (Gitterman & Knight, 2016). Although social workers are bound to the set of ethics put forth by the NASW, practitioners are often limited to focusing on the issues of the individual rather than the larger societal issues that may be behind those concerns. Additionally, many social work students end up working in direct practice, rather than macro work. There is a need for social workers to engage at the macro level in order to facilitate community organization and empowerment. Critics suggest this theory may not take into account the unique experiences of each individual and perhaps key characteristics of the individual or group are not taken into consideration (Sadan, 1997).

    Read More

  • Strengths And Limitations Of Intersectionality And Life Course Theory

    558 Words  | 3 Pages

    Introduction Integrating theory into social work practice is essential in defining why social work is needed and how to practice it effectively. This paper will discuss two theories; intersectionality and life course theory, as I believe that these two theories are collectively suitable and effective in interrupting the cycle of oppression. I will draw upon both my own experiences and literature to analyze the strengths and limitations of intersectionality and life course theory. This discussion will exemplify how intersectionality and life course theory enhance each other and can work synergistically to inform my social work practice. Intersectionality Intersectionality is a macro theory, which looks at the complexity of an individual’s identity

    Read More

  • Crenshaw's Mapping The Margins Analysis

    1376 Words  | 6 Pages

    Kareen Harboyan English 1C Professor Supekar March 15, 2018 Word Count: Crenshaw’s Mapping the Margins: The Marginalization of Women of Color Analyzed Through Generalization and A Feminist Lens Crenshaw's Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color expands on the multifaceted struggles of women of color and the generalizations ingrained in society that limit women of color and keep them in a box. In this text, Crenshaw builds on the concept of intersectionality which proposes that social categorizations such as gender and race are intertwined and have great influence on one another.

    Read More

  • Social Constructivist Approach In Social Work

    895 Words  | 4 Pages

    Marx highlighted the struggle between the powerless and powerful which resulted in different societal classes (Fook, 2002). Thompson (2006) states that society is made up of diverse people who make up societal structures and these structures determine and control the destitution of power and opportunities which results in layers of inequality and oppression to people who are marginalised. Radical social work is interested in the examining structures of personal problems, focusing on oppressive practice and self-emancipation and social change (Adams et al, 2005). For this to be achieved professionals need to recognise that individual knowledge might display reality but could also be constructed by society through language, values and beliefs. In order to identify this it is vital for social workers to be able to self-reflect (Adams et al, 2009).

    Read More

  • Anti Oppressive Theory In Social Work

    886 Words  | 4 Pages

    Anti-oppressive practice focuses on the structural inequalities and places the blame that service users internalize on the structures and systems themselves (Ajandi, 2018). Humanistic and social justice values and ideas shape anti-oppressive practice (Healy, 2015). They address inequalities that affect opportunities of service users, due to the interlocking of social relations and oppression (Burke & Harrison, 2002). AOP aims to identify oppressions and define ways in which social workers can attempt to become anti-oppressive, avoid discomfort, and end oppression to service users (Strega, 2007). It highlights mutual involvement between the social worker and the service user, challenging forms of oppression and inequalities (Burke & Harrison, 2002), and presents the idea that service users do not occupy a “single identity”, but instead have interlocking oppressions that work together to put clients at a social disadvantage (Strega, 2007).

    Read More

  • Control In The Shawshank Redemption

    1238 Words  | 5 Pages

    ‘Funny how the people who desperately want to change you are the least likely to change anything about themselves’. That is one of my favourite quotes that demonstrates the harsh and unfortunate realities of societal control. Whether it be with leaders in society, media or ordinary everyday people, stereotypical and authoritative restraints are placed on everyone. My report demonstrates how and why control is used to oppress others. The texts I have chosen as examples are ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘Whiplash’.

    Read More

  • Symbolic Interaction Theory In Social Work

    1651 Words  | 7 Pages

    INTRODUCTION This is a key framework of sociological theory. It depend on symbols and their meaning. The words we use to describe our behaviour and the behaviour of others is very important. To elaborate further and get into detail about this theory, firstly the theory and key terms have to be defined, secondly the major proponents and tenets, thirdly the history of the theory, fourthly the purpose of the theory, fifthly the significance of the theory for social work practice, followed by the epistemology, consistency with social work values and ethics, implication of the theory, position of the theory on the population served by the social worker, strength and weakness, relevance of Intersectionality, critical perspective on contemporary issues

    Read More

  • Person In-Environment Framework

    1672 Words  | 7 Pages

    Diminishing these social injustices in which Izzie has experienced calls for measures aimed at empowerment. This involves engaging Izzie in dialogue that will assist her in gaining an awareness of the oppressive actions that have impacted the lives of her and her family so that the focus can then turn to actions of self-determination which can liberate her from oppressive conditions (Marsiglia & Kulis, 2016). Further, as part of this empowerment process, we should focus on ways to help Izzie define and express herself independent of the definitions promoted by the dominant culture about people in marginalized groups(van Voorhis, 1998). This process of empowerment requires an intricate and collaborative social worker and client relationship, with Izzie leading the way as the expert on her family and situation.

    Read More

More about Characteristics Of Modern Social Work

Open Document