The Concept of Social Work - Assignment Example

Sociology Name: Institutional affiliation: Question One The concept of social work is based on various strategies and approaches taken that are geared towards the improvement of people in the community. In this respect, social work is an integral faction that aids progress and development. It is important to note that social work is a practiced-based area of discipline that is directed at the promotion of social change in addition to progress and development. To understand the significance of the links between social work and various social movements, it is vital to understand not only social work but what social movements entail. According to Banks (2011), social movements are action groups instituted to focus on particular issues that are relevant to people in a social aspect. Such movements are established to deal with social change issues. The key aim and objective of social movements is bringing change in the social realm. The significance of the link between social work and social movement thus lies in the way the two are connected in their efforts of steering change, affecting development and progress for the welfare of people. Both social work and social movements are established on the basic tenet, which is collaborative work towards a common goal. In as much as social work aims to affect change in communities and enhance the welfare of people, it cannot achieve this objective on its own. In this way, the concept of social work and social movements are more progressive by working together towards the same objectives. Social work and social movements can thus be said to be complimentary to one another in the sense that the two work to affect change in society. Social movements and their various activities are based on challenging the instituted traditions in the society. The movements can therefore help the social work in its efforts towards societal transformation. Such movements challenge social issues such as discrimination, inequality, and oppression and try to make the social situation of people better. Combined with social work, which is an established discipline in the area, social movements can help advance social work. It is also important to note that social movements lack the professional and strict nature of social work and as such, it challenges the profession for better performance. As a professional discipline, social work does not involve itself in overt activism and instead takes a more structured approach towards effecting social change (Mendes, 2007). Social movements on the other than are not governed by the strict guidelines that limits their power of being activists for various causes. The important link between these two therefore is that one advances the works of another and enables a more effective if not efficient means of achieving progressive change and development. An example that highlights the importance of the links between social work and social movement include the civil rights movement. The movement was geared towards achieving equality and establishing a society that does not oppress or discriminate. However, the magnitude of the issues that were involved were something that social work alone could not have achieved. However, with the help of social work backing up such a movement and the structural procedures in place, the civil rights movement managed to achieve one of the biggest changes in society seen in the world today. Question Two A group structure arises when individuals work in a group, which means that it consists of more than one individual. It entails the internal context that defines the group members’ associations with each other in the time they are working together. Typically, the aspects that are key in determining the various aspects of group structure include communication among members, their various roles, values, and norms among other patterns that characterize a group and the associated structure. Working in group or the group dynamics of a group have various challenges, complexities and benefits since a group consists of different people. For social work especially, working in groups or in a group is of vital importance considering the fact that the discipline is a practice-based one that needs constant collaboration, partnership, and involvement with one another in efforts directed at affecting social change (Gitterman, 2006). Looking at social work as a participative discipline therefore reinforces the aspect of group structures and the need for it. The experience with the group during the intensive week is used in evaluating the complexities, benefits, and challenges of a group structure in social work. The behavioral patterns and the attitudes of the members in a group present one of the key complexities in a group structure. This is based on the fact that different people have different behaviors and attitudes and sometimes, it becomes complicated to align the various differences to work in unison (Toseland & Rivas, 2012). In the group, specific people adopt specific roles and as such, participate in different levels in the group. There are those that are more participative than others. For instance, there are individuals who take up the role of initiating and taking initiative for action. Others are more aggressive, some are what I may refer to as blockers who frustrate every effort at finding solutions, and yet others are more dominant. However, the group structure has several benefits that include the ability to break complex tasks and tackle them in a participative manner. It also enhances the comprehension of problems since the various members have different viewpoints that can enhance the understanding of a concept. It also enables feedback and evaluation as you weigh on the different contributions, deliberate on them and give feedback and helps in achieving successful outcomes. Among the challenges of group structure include the aspect of time management and coordination efforts Individuals have different schedules that may conflict and present problems. Time is wasted in group brainstorming session and as such, reaching an outcome takes much more time than is necessary. Additionally, conflicts arise due to the different opinions and perspectives held by the members. Being that social work is based on affecting social change in the society, it is then based on community welfare and working together. Just like in group structure, community collaboration in social work is subject to the complexities, benefits, and challenges noted. The importance however, is in working together towards a common goal. Question Three The concept of rights from below is integral to the various works that organizations carry out. According to Ife (2009), community development and human rights are concepts that are crucial to the practice of one another. In this way, the works that are carried out by organizations such as the Red Cross and other organizations such as the advocacy one advanced by the guest lecturer Tauto Sansburry. Organizations and the practitioners in them have the ability to not only protect but empower the communities they work in when they understand human rights beyond the basic laws. In this way, such organizations can help the realization of human rights in communities by using and applying community principles. The development of communities and human rights are two concepts that are connected and interwoven. It is therefore vital to understand the connection between the two in efforts towards affecting change in a positive way. Employing the rights from below approach, such organizations geared towards affecting social change connect human rights with other strategies in taking action aimed at addressing the challenges that face communities that are disadvantaged. The rights from below concept plays majorly in community development; an aspect that organizations such as the Red Cross and Tauto’s are instituted upon. The concept is an inclusive approach that considers rights from the bottom up instead of a top-down approach. This plays a central role in the works of the organizations since they mainly work with marginalized members of the community. Additionally, the work of these organizations and the actions taken towards community development challenges the dominant culture and encourages activism in the marginalized people. It goes against the top-down approach that would reinforce the dominant culture and encourage conformity. The rights from below approach to community development as advanced by such organizations institute rights in practice rather than in theory. The organizations work to empower minorities on factors such as their entitlement to services. In this way, they are empowered to take action and demand better services and treatment since it is their right and that they should not consider this a privilege (Banks, 2011). The focus of the organizations is on the individuals who are discriminated against or oppressed. By teaching them the value of their social and human rights, the organizations have to adopt the rights from below strategy to achieve change (Mendes & Binns, 2013). Organizations that are based on community development have to start empowering, protecting and teaching the importance and need for better conditions from the ground level. It entails teaching the marginalized person about their role and position and then getting them to strive towards better social conditions. It is therefore imperative to note the manner in which the rights from below takes an inclusive stance in the activities undertaken by the organizations in efforts to achieve community development. Question Four The ideas presented by Freire include literacy method based on the concept of dialogue and conscientization. It advances the teaching of people in a manner that rouses the consciousness of people about social issues and realities. In this way Freire (1970), notes that it is important to stir consciousness in people so that they may have the ability to transform their reality. In essence, Friere advocated for strategies aimed at changing the individual’s mentality so that they are more aware and accurate in their awareness of their position in the society and in nature. This also means that through teaching people and helping them awaken their consciousness, they are able to denote their self-worth and what they deserve in the society. These ideas can be connected to the arguments presented by Suzi Quixley in her lecture on the inclusive community development. Her argument on inclusive community development is based on a bottom up view that centralizes on working with marginalized people in the community. Freire advocates for a method that is geared affect the individual’s notion of who they are which can be linked to Quixley’s directive of working with marginalized people. By working with the marginalized person, Hegar (2012) observes that the goal is to try to change the manner in which they consider themselves and their position in the society. The individual is taught to challenge the dominant culture and be aware of who they are instead of accepting what they are handed. Encouraging activism by social minorities is also in line with affecting their participation in their own life. As Friere notes, individuals need to transform their frame of mind and become aware of social realities. In tying this to Suzi’s arguments, the individual can only become involved in activism after becoming aware of the social realities that surround them and gaining the insight in challenging the predominant manner that society runs. The achievement of an inclusive community development is reliant on the process beginning from the person and permeating the community. Suzi looks at human rights in practice and advances the argument that it entails entitlement. Tying this to the ideas of Freire, people have to be made aware and conscious of the fact that rights are an entitlement and not an act of charity. They are thus entitled to be angry and demand for better treatment and provision of their rights. This can only be achieved if the person has been taught in a manner that encourages them to transform their thinking and realize their position in the society. They have to be aware that social problems affect the community and are not an individual factor. Friere’s ideas can thus be linked to Suzi’s arguments in the sense that the arguments are based on the notion of teaching the person to become conscious and look to positive transformation. References Banks, S. (2011). Re-gilding the ghetto: Community work and community development in 21st century Britain. In M. Lavalette, Radical social work today: Social work at the crossroads (pp. 165-185). Bristol, UK: The Policy Press. Freire, P. (1970). Pedaogy of the Oppressed. New York: Seabury Press. Gitterman, A. (2006). Building mutual support in groups. Social work with groups, 28(3-4), 91-106. ## Hegar R. (2012). Paulo Freire: Neglected mentor for social work, Journal of Progressive Human Services, 23(2), 159-177 Ife, J. (2009). Human Rights from Below: Achieving Rights Through Community Development. Cambridge University Press: London Mendes, P. (2007). Social workers and social activism in Victoria, Australia. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 18(1), 25-44 Mendes, P., & Binns, F. (2013). The integration of community development values, skills and strategies within rural social work practice in Victoria, Australia. Community Development Journal, 48(4), 605-622. Toseland, R & Rivas, R. (2012). An introduction to group work practice. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Read More