System Theory In Social Work

Erasmus Mundus Master in Social Work with Families and Children
4th edition - 2016-2018
1st Semester
Name: Rojika Maharjan

1. Social work has evolved with different “theories in social work”; either concepts derived from other social sciences such as psychology or sociology or “theories for social work” which are the core philosophy of social work practice specified to give a professional purpose and approach to practice (Healy, 2014).
a) Regarding the context of children and families, system theory and strength theory are appropriate.
i) System Theory: System theory is defined by the analytical intervention based on the complex social systems such as family, neighborhood, friends, school, employer or bigger social structures surrounding

Both the theories dismiss the idea of linear process of problem solving. 4. The system theory wasn’t originally developed for social work practice, and was used by the social workers as they were relevant. However, strength based approach has been developed by social worker themselves.

b) The strengths and challenges that may be faced are as follow.
Strengths:
• Giving the autonomy to the service user/community: Both the theories provide the client or community; here children and families to utilize their self-determination and their individual power to bring change.
• Sustainability: The system theory tends to fix the maladjustment between the environment and the client for a long-term whereas the strength perspective focuses on amplification of the innate strengths within client; focuses on sustainability.
• Holistic approach: Both the theories show a holistic approach; they cover different aspects, traits and systems which define the client and his behavior in whole.
• Social Work values: The theories embody the core social work values such as valuing the dignity and worth of our client, their self-determination and protection as the first priority.

It is an ordinary process for humans to cope up with “demonstrable risks” (Masten, 2001) i.e. threats that have noticeably brought unwanted issues in one’s life. Resilience can be defined on two foundations; risks and positive adaptation. It is a quality of a person to accommodate with unfavorable alterations in life derived as a result of exposure to risks such as financial crisis, divorce, health problems or disaster. Therefore, resilience cannot exist in absence of risks.
However, resilience may also be described as the innate human quality that has not necessarily developed only after big disasters but processed through positive adaptation. A person can be resilient if he/she experience positive life events such as a job promotion, wedding, birth of a new child or having a new pet. These incidents would require the person to perform new roles and responsibilities and he/she can develop resilience to these changes overtime. This is resilience acquired through positive adaption (Fletcher & Sarkar,