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General Systems Theory In The Help

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While reading the novel The help, it gave a great significance of context about the General systems theory, Bowen Family Emotional Systems Theory, and the Feminist Perspective. It also gave a plethora of examples to support the different theories. Kathryn Stockett did a fantastic job by not only writing a bestselling novel, but making the novel based on reality and her memories about her life while growing up as well. General systems theory address clients of three levels of social work which include the macro, micro, and mezzo level. Macro level focuses on large systems. This may include health care law, organizations, or maybe even social policy change. Mezzo level focuses on medium sized groups, which may include: neighborhoods, local …show more content…

As stated in the Human Behavior and the Social Environment text, “a closed system is shut off from its environment, and it will eventually become entropic, that is, internally deteriorate. By contrast, and open system continuously exchanges mass, energy, and information with its environment” (van Wormer & Besthorn, 2011, pg.18). In The help, one example that would demonstrate the macro level is when the community of maids get together from Jackson, MS and help Mrs. Skeeter to write about race and what’s going on in their town. An example of micro level is when Mrs. Skeeter comes up to Aibileen with the idea to write narratives from the point of view of 12 black maids. This shows that Mrs. Skeeter and Aibileen will eventually have a bond trying to better the community. An example of the mezzo level would be Aibileen being a wise …show more content…

Bowen Family Emotional Systems Theory views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe interactions within the family unit. The first concept in Bowen’s theory would be triangulation. In triangulation, two-person unit may experience stressors and in order to release stress, a third person may come in to release the stress. An example would be when Mrs. Leefolt gives Mae Mobley a spanking on her leg because Mae Mobley wanted Mrs. Leefolt to pick her up while she was on the phone. After Mae Mobley got a spanking, Aibileen was there to comfort her and make her feel loved. “No, Mae Mobley. Mama’s on the telephone. Let Mama talk.’ ‘Come on, Baby Girl, it’s alright, everything---” (Stockett,2009,

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