Theories for Use in Social Work Practice - Term Paper Example

THEORIES OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE Name Institution Date Introduction Social work practice covers a broad range of basic services intended to serve all members of a community to help them meet their needs. Social work draws various theories of social systems and human behavior development. These theories represent ideas about concepts, which enable us to understand and to act. Theories guide social work process by offering varying ideas about the focus and objectives of the practice. Research studies have shown that clients and agencies prefer to work with social workers who know what they are doing and how they are going to achieve it. Therefore it is important that they can identify the distinction between theories. This paper explores the influences of various theories in how social work is conceptualized. Its aim is to illustrate how these theories provide an important point of reference in the analysis as well as continuing development of social work knowledge. Social Work Theories Modernist Modernism is considered to have emerged in the Enlightenment era (Howe 1994). Modernist emphasis on the rational, technical knowledge used to achieve social progress through an understanding of societies and the world through science. Modernism emphasizes on unity and brings together ideas into logical, consistent frameworks (Fawcett 2006). If social workers got the systems right and followed them with adequate skills and knowledge, then the practice can effectively deal with the social problems. More importantly, modernist frameworks have also dictated there are particular standards of accuracy and rigor of knowledge in social work practice development. Postmodernism It involves a critique of all theories that set out to explain everything in one-dimensional worldview, modernist. Postmodernism represents the recognition that this one-dimensional worldview is no longer relevant, and thus we must acknowledge multiple discourses or framework. Meaning, and therefore reality is constructed out of multiple discourses, and thus there is no universal reality or truth. Instead, reality or truth is constructed out of diverse and fragmented. Looking for possible alternatives encourage us to seek proper understanding to assess whether alternatives are true (Fawcett 2006).This kind of pluralism opens up space to reconstruct knowledge and breaks down barriers between the social workers and clients (Danto 2008). Post-structuralism Social work is discursive, and language is crucial in how it construct actual material outcomes. Post-structural thinking focuses on the influence of language on power, knowledge, and identity (Fook 2002). Post-structural thinking challenges that observable phenomena can be explained by underlying relations, and thus meanings or beliefs are not fixed. They argue there is no absolute certainty and resist the dominance of scientific knowledge since there is a lot of things that science cannot explain (Williams 2005). Post structuralism argues that identity and meaning are rooted in language or discourse, and therefore meaning is unstable and open to interpretation and identity is not fixed (Wendt & Boylan, 2008). Critical Theory According to Healy (2014), critical social work emphasizes on the transformation of power relations at every aspect of social work practice. Social work should focus on changing the way societies create social problems; it seeks to emancipate humankind, freeing them from social order restrictions (Payne, 2014). Our social environments contain restrictions that are the main cause of problems to humankind. Social problems are created by social arrangement or structure, and cultural assumptions are created by dominant groups to oppress the minority. Therefore, to solve social problems, interventions should be aimed at the social change to remove blame from individual and bring positive change for all (Payne, 2014). Differences between Modern, Postmodern, Post-structuralism and Critical Theories Assumptions Critical theory is the attempt to develop an understanding that breaks reality viewing a social problem as investable but something that can be changed. Postmodernism theory examines the world from multiple perspectives, opposing the idea of one-dimensional worldview. Modernism upholds the belief that there is the existence of one known objective reality that can be determined through positivist science. Post-structural thinking focuses on the influence of language on power, knowledge, and identity (Fook 2002). Scientific knowledge Modernism argues that science is the paradigm of all true knowledge. Postmodernism must argue that science is not the only basis of knowledge, multiple discourses or framework should be used. Critical theory critique knowledge that is marked by a particular characteristic and seek to generate alternative forms of knowledge. Post-structuralists are opposed to any absolute certainty of scientific knowledge, arguing scientific knowledge cannot explain everything (Williams 2005). Language In modernism, language is transparent; a one to one relationship between word and concept. Postmodernism argues language is arbitrary and rooted in power relations, thus meaning is arbitrary. Post-structuralism argues that identity and meaning are rooted in language, and thus meaning is not fixed (Wendt & Boylan, 2008). Case Study Analysis Strength Theory and Anti-oppressive Practice Approach on the Family's Issue The strength perspective focuses on the clients' capacities and potentialities and thus helping them work towards their hopes and find a solution to their problems. The strengths perspective accentuates the clients' personal resources, abilities, social support network to face their current problems and overcome them (Barker, 1999). According to Van Wormer, Wells, and Boes (2000), the strength theory is a way of showing a way in a difficult situation and providing hope in dismal circumstances. Mary and Anna's marriages have various strengths that can help them overcome the negativity from their neighbours. For instance, they have been in a committed relationship for 15 years Anna parents against the relationship. Strength theory would help Mary and Anna to discuss their challenging family structure from the perspective of internalized fears of discrimination which can assist them find the resolution of those fears. Despite the fact that Anna parent opposes their relationships, they can find ways of talking to those who support their relationship like Mary's parents. Anti-oppressive practice is used in social work practice to address inequalities that exist in society. It aims at providing services by meeting the clients’ needs regardless of their social status. It challenges social structure that exists in our society used by the dominant group to oppress the disadvantaged ones. Anti-oppresssive practice is based on the aspect of improving everyone quality of life. People in same-sex marriage live in a society dominated by oppression and heterosexism, which can make them, feel ashamed of their sexuality (Hines 2012). Mary indicated that recently been reluctant to leave the house because she has been the targets of verbal abuse about their sexuality. Their children are also being bullied because their family was ‘not normal.' The anti-oppressive practice involves taking action to advance individual as well as structural changes to improve those in same-sex marriages. Approach to Assessment of the case study and what does each theory help you to see Strength theory helps a social worker work with a couple in same-sex marriage to overcome their problems. Strength theory can guide Mary and Anna to develop positive coping skills, listening to their stories, validate the pain they are going through and move to a self-actualization state. Strength perspective guides the social worker to examining setbacks and successes through their life challenges. The couple can be asked to identify their strength when dealing with adversity. In this case, despite the lack of support from Anna's parents, they have managed a healthy relationship for 15 years. Such insights can help them to find a solution on what to do when their current problem are solved and give them courage to what they are currently going on (van Wormer, Wells, & Boes, 2000), verbal abuse from their neighbours. Strength perspective focuses on positive attributes of gay parents and does not prevent them from making progress through judgemental language. In fact, studies have shown that children's raised in gay marriages have less psychiatric problems than those from heterosexual marriages (Brooks and Goldberg, 2001). Bigner (1999) found that children from same-sex marriages learn the importance of tolerance and the need to respect others differences. Listening is another aspect of strength theory. Listening to their problems is a key aspect of strength theory. Helping them recognize their fears, a social worker can better understand their expectations within their individual families. Validating pain of homosexual address the issues related to domination and neglect (Van Wormer et al., 2000). Strength theory helps social workers to avoid heterosexist model and encourage Mary and Ann openly discuss oppressive issues surrounding raising their kids. Strength perspective will help Mary and Anna gain self-actualization and this will help them extend their sexual identity boundaries. These changes form the basis of greater acceptance and breakdown of stereotypical and homo-negative misperceptions. The society has socially constructed attitude, which devalue some social identity such as same-sex marriage. These attitudes are constructed by the dominant group. Anti-oppressive practitioners seek to approach and eliminate this negative attitude which oppress and threaten these groups meaningful participation in a society (Hines 2012). In anti-oppressive practice, knowledge of oneself is crucial in equipping individuals. It helps the social worker to critically assess the oppressed clients, what they are going them. These oppressive forces disempower participation in the society, for instance, Mary is reluctant to go out because they are verbally abused. To truly help oppressed people, social work use these practice to break down labels and calls for equal treatment human being. Anti-oppressive highlight the structural context of the client's problem, and thus help social workers to facilitate client's critical consciousness and the causes of the problems they face. How well social work theories align with social work values Social work is governed by various core values including competence, dignity, social justice, integrity interpersonal relationships. Therefore, the social worker should seek to understand that we are diverse and they should respect their clients' social orientation. Over time; it has been seen as better psychologically to accept sexually diverse populations like people with unique needs and importance of demarcating cultural constructions as social work objectives of encouraging their contribution to the society. Strength theory Strength perspective supports the AASW social work values. Respect for persons - Social workers are expected to respect peoples dignity and worth of the person according to the AASW Code of Ethics (AASW, 2010). The strengths perspective seek to find competences that the client possesses and social workers seek to enhance clients capacity to meet their natural capabilities Social justice - Strength perspective integrates principles of social justice including regards to human rights, inclusion, collaboration and respects. Anti-oppressive practice Social justice - Anti-oppressive practice seeks social change as a form of justice (Gray & Webb 2013), by acknowledging diversity within oppression. The anti-oppressive practice involves taking action to advance individual as well as structural changes to improve those oppressed. Respect for person – It aims to function and promote among all people even those disempowered by the dominant group, promoting increased respect for the inherent dignity and worth of all people. Conclusion As indicated above, the view of gay marriages has changed over years. These changes show social changes in assumptions about the social structure: the family, the importance of subverting social categories and social role in queer rights. Social workers working in such situations should follow what is going on and adapt these changes in their practice. Social work requires the practitioner to consider the likely hood that social order will continue to change and that social expectations will also change. Modernist believed that admitting gay marriage deprived it its social meaning, while doing this today may be regarded as discrimination. The cultural shift is informed by the social workers by the deconstruction of these normative categories of gender which has helped legitimate gay and lesbian subject position. This will help people to live together in harmony despite their sexual orientations. References List Australian Association of Social Workers 2010, Code of Ethics, AASW, Canberra, viewed Barker, R. L. 1999, The social work dictionary (4th ed.). Washington, D.C.: NASWPress. Bigner, J 1999, Raising our sons: Gay men as fathers. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 10(1), 61-70. Brooks, D., & Goldberg, S 2001, Gay and lesbian adoptive and foster care placements: Can they meet the needs of waiting children? Social Work, 46(2), 147-157. Danto, E.A, 2008, Same words, different meanings: notes toward a typology of postmodern social work education, Social Work Education, Vol. 27, No. 7, pp. 710–722. Fawcett, B, 2006, ‘Postmodernism’, in M. Gray and S. A. Webb (eds.), Social Work Theories and Methods, London, Sage Publications. Fook, J, 2002, Social Work: Critical Theory and Practice, London: Sage Publications. Grey & Webb (Eds) 2013, The New Politics of Social Work, Palgrave MacMillan, New York. Hines, J.M. 2012, “Using an anti-oppressive framework in social work practice with lesbians”, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 23-39. Howe, D 1994, Modernity, postmodernity and social work, British Journal of Social Work Vol.24, pp.513-532. Payne, M, 2014, Modern social work theory, 4thed, Palgrave MacMillan, England van Wormer, K., Wells, J., & Boes, M 2000, Social work with lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: A strengths perspective. Allyn and Bacon Publishers: Needham Heights, MA. Wendt, S. & Boylan, J, 2008, Feminist social work research engaging with poststructural ideas, International Social Work, 51, 5, 599-609. Williams, J, 2005, Understanding Post structuralism, Acumen, England Read More