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Social Constructivist Approach In Social Work

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Greene and Lee (2002) states that when considering the social constructivist approach an understanding of the way individuals function within society is important to appreciate the meaning they ascribe to their experiences of society and culture. Dean (1993 suggests that knowledge and meaning are created and influenced by institutions within the environment. From this individual suffering from mental illness will create their reality and will then view future experiences through this (Dewees, 1999) As previously explored dominate members of society determine values, beliefs and norms that is supported and maintained by that society. Kondrat and Teater (2009) suggest that if individuals do not ascribe to these they are considered ‘abnormal’ …show more content…

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). Critical thinking allows social workers to recognize oppression beyond ideologies taking on a political practice and assessing how limited resources are and where the power comes from to make decisions about how those resources are allocated (Adams et al, …show more content…

This is difficult process and should be coupled with use of theoretical approaches. Adams et al (2008) advocates that social workers need to use an eclectic approach to their practice by selecting different elements from theories in order to produce one approach appropriate for the individual’s needs. Epstein (1992) suggests that to overcome the limitations of theories continuous reflection and debate is vital to incorporate complex

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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,

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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

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109 Words | 1 Pages

What is Anti-oppressive Social Work Within Canadian social work, the term “anti-oppressive practice” is generally understood as an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of practice approaches including, but not limited to, radical, structural, feminist, anti-racist, critical, and liberatory frameworks (Bailey & Brake, 1975; Dominelli, 1988; Dominelli & McLeod, 1989; Fook,2002; Leonard, 2001; Moreau, 1993; Roche, Dewees, Trailweaver, Alexander, Cuddy & Handy, 1999). Therefore, rather than being seen as one “practice approach”, anti-oppressive social work can be more accurately understood as a stance or perspective toward practice. The term ‘anti-oppressive social work’ represents the current nomenclature for a range of theories and practices

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1754 Words | 8 Pages

Anti-oppressive practice is also an approach of work in the social work that gives great emphasis to social change, empowerment, and partnership. Through anti-oppressive practice the problem of the individual is seen in a greater context: the individual, cultural, and societal and structural aspects are taken into consideration in the understanding of the problem and in its potential solutions. (Thompson 2002) developed the PCS model in other to fully grasp the full understanding of the individual, cultural and society which should influence the way social workers work with people of Black and ethnic minority and other oppressed groups. Intervention in the lives of the client should not only take place at the personal level but also cultural and structural in many cases all this level are interwoven. Power and Empowerment

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1518 Words | 7 Pages

Gaining the key knowledge and competencies in relation to recovery is crucial for professionals, such as Social Workers, to have. Competencies are defined as the skills, attitudes, behaviour and knowledge that is required for mental health practitioners, and these competencies apply to everyone, regardless of culture and age (O’Hagan, 2001). The competencies were established and developed mainly by service users, as their input on their recovery is significant (O’Hagan, 2001). Social Workers in the mental health field have the opportunity to influence and encourage the process of recovery, and it is important to have a positive influence, which is why there are key recovery competencies and knowledge that are required (Harvey, 2006). Past research

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1066 Words | 5 Pages

Social workers need sensitivity training and should be held accountable for their action or lack of action. • Basic income, access to free healthcare and education allows individuals to reset family histories more expediently than under capitalist framework (ends generational

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488 Words | 2 Pages

The application of observation methods informs social work processes and provided a reflective learning tool to my own SW values, ethics and anti-oppressive practice. Moreover, it provided ‘in action’ and ‘on action’ reflections from watching others and allowed for greater scope for reflections whilst observing. This method made me aware and observe the behaviours in others and how those behaviours are incongruent SW values and AOP. As an observer, you see things in others, things in yourself that you may not be aware of if

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Introduction The goal of social justice is to combat oppression by focusing on equitable treatment and equal opportunities (Benner, 2022). The social work profession values advocacy and service as methods to combat oppressive practices. Oppression is apparent in all aspects and systems of our society (Hatcher et al., 2022). The existence of oppressive practice within the social work profession is debated, with many supporting the existence of oppression in social work practice.

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Rothman, Carson, and Madoc-Jones (2011), suggest many controversies occur between social work theories and the practitioner's interpretation of those theories are a subject of great concern in the field of social work. The importance of this research is not just academic, but important to society as a whole. Findings such as those of by Rothman, Carson, and Madoc-Jones, (2011), regarding the interpretation of social problems, demonstrate how quickly and inaccurately social workers can employ erroneous judgment based on the automatic activation of their views or beliefs. As society is forever increasing in its intermixing of individuals from different social and ethnic groups, social workers must further increase their understanding of inter-group

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1817 Words | 8 Pages

Being a social worker is often a challenging, yet rewarding career. Social workers are responsible for helping individuals, families, and groups of people to cope with problems they’re facing to improve their patients’ lives. Social workers are also trained caseworkers in social service agencies who perform several functions which they use different components of the practice framework, the theoretical underpinnings to in order to build helping relationships. After interviewing a caseworker in a specific social agency there were advantages and disadvantages of methods along with challenges encountered in working in that specific agency. With all of this the functions, roles and responsibilities of a caseworker is what helps any agency to uphold

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365 Words | 2 Pages

It is a coherent set of ideas about human nature, including concepts of health, illness, normalcy, and deviance, which provide verifiable or established explanations for behavior and rationales for intervention. Moreover, social work is influenced

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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).

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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).

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1775 Words | 8 Pages

A) Values and ideology: Describe the values of social work and ideology that you think are most important to your future practice and why you have selected them? The values and ideologies that are most important to my future practice include respect for the inherent dignity and worth of persons, service to humanity and competence in professional practice. First, my value of providing respect for the inherent dignity and worth of persons is important to me and my future practice because it allows me to see the uniqueness in all my clients and subsequent cases. Moreover, it further guides me to allow my clients to be self-determined individuals.

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1651 Words | 7 Pages

This is as to how the social worker and the population interact. It involves the people making sense in their interaction. This theory enables the social worker to study the behaviour of the people he or she is involved with. This is demostrated on her role as a consellor and educator.

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