336 (01) Assignment # 1 Human Diversity Sample Page 1 of 11
Table of Contents
SUBJECT / PAGE #Table of Contents / 1
Introduction / 2
Perspectives- Ecological Perspective / 3-4
Perspectives- Empowerment Perspective / 4-6
Areas of Analysis-Immigration / 6-7
Areas of Analysis-Gender / 7-8
My value system with the CASW Code of Ethics / 8-9
Conclusion / 9
Reference Page / 10-11
Introduction
Ready-Set-Go! is an organization specifically designed for diverse populations, specifically immigrant and refugee mothers and their children.On a daily basis then, I am working with a very multi-cultural population and dealing with issues all deriving from that of a diverse background. All of the people within the agency’s countless programs have been indentified as “At Risk” families due to a number of reasons, such as poverty, family structure, gender and being a landed immigrant, new to our society. The subject of this paper, referred to as Betty, is a Middle Eastern woman who has been classified as “At Risk” due to every one of the previously stated criteria. She has now been here for 2 years and is struggling with the English language. Her husband has abandoned her leaving herwith two children, one that is eight months, the other being two and a half years. Her older child has begunexhibiting severe behavioural problems on top of all of this. To examine Betty’s situation further and competently, I have selected to use the ecological perspective, along withthe empowerment perspective, in order to attempt a holistic approach to this client’s situation. I will also examine her status as an immigrant and her gender in detail, as two of the major underlying issues and also look to and reflect upon my own value system and the CASW Code of Ethics.
Perspectives-
Ecological-systems Perspective
The ecological-systems perspective focuses on the person in the environment at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. There is an emphasis on the exploration of the biological, psychological, social, economic, educational, cultural and sexual components of the individual’s life to allow for a holistic problem solving approach (Al-Krenawi, A., & Graham, J., 2003). On a micro level, Betty displays signs on depression and despair. It is a cultural belief for her, as an Arab woman, not to bring shame upon the family by seeking outside of it for support so she is torn about whether or not to pursue any actively, causing to her grief and despair (Fung, K., & Wong, Y.L., 2007). She was abandoned by her husband after her uprooting here, which affects her socially, sexually and psychologically. Betty also appears to have attachment problems now and issues with trust and opening up, as she is very reserved, quiet and shows no emotions ever. Immigrant woman are among North America’s most impoverished people (Al-Krenawi et al, 2003).Betty is unable to provide for her two children and has wound up in an impoverished state, which she has feelings of guilt and shame over.In Middle Eastern culture, it is the mother’s responsibility to be the “…emotional hub…” (Al-Krenawi et al, 2003 p. 182) for her family, acting like the rock, per ce, and due to this, Betty experiences severe feelings of being inadequacy and feels like she is a failure due to the issues she is facing.
On the macro level, we must look at the resources and support systems Betty has at her disposal. In reality, Betty is alone and isolated. All of her family and friends are back in her homeland and her husband has left her and her children. This is a problem by itself; however it is even more of an issue due to Betty’s culture.In the Arab culture, family is central, including extended family and Betty does not have this sort of a support system currently intact (Adams, L., & Al-Rubaiy, A., 1984). In many Arab families, the head of the household with the power, authority and voice is the male figure within the home. Since Betty’s family is now lacking that role as set out by her culture, this could be a contributing factor to her one son’s newly developed behavioural issues(Al-Krenawi et al, 2003).
Now moving onto the macro level to examine the societal context, Betty has another set of hurdles in her way. She is not comfortable with the English language and is a recent immigrant to Canadian society, feeling lost and unaware of resources available to her. She requires an interpreter, and having landed in Windsor, she is having a hard time finding one available to take another client on. In addition to this, an interpreter can only help her so much of the time (Adams et al, 1984). She is encountering a hard time getting landed immigrant status from the government as well, which is contributing to her financial problems as she needs this in order to get many of the forms of assistance offered (Thobani, S., 2000). Studies on recently landed immigrants within Canada also show that in fact they are further traumatized by the racist and sexist institutions in which they are supposed to seek assistance from (Gillis, J., Diamond, S., & Jebely, P., 2006).
It is essential now, as a soon to be professional social worker that I become an ally with Betty, advocating for her, helping to empower her, fighting alongside with her. It is now my professional duty (Cournoyer, B. 2005).
Perspectives-
Empowerment Perspective
The empowerment perspective has been described as both a process and an outcome (Hur, M.H., 2006). It is a particularly appropriate perspective to use, especially in Betty’s situation, to help guide the clients in the right direction, helping them find resources and opportunities (Hurr, M., 2006). The empowerment perspective is multidimensional and is composed of assisting the client to “…develop critical thinking skills, reduce self blame, assume responsibility and enhance self efficacy” (Timberlake, E., Zajaicek-Farber, M., & Sabatino, C., 2008). The social worker in this type of approach takes on a teaching, provider and enabling role, helping to guide the client while showing them that they are capable beings (Cournoyer, B., 2005).
Betty needed assistance from other agencies, however was encountering difficulties getting such information. One way to empower her in this way, was to sit down with her and the blue book of services offered in Windsor and help her get some information and numbers, enabling her to seek the services she needs.
In addition, Betty needed some assistance with her two and a half year son who was exhibiting the behavioural issues. In staying true to a holistic, empowerment approach, it would be necessary to assist Betty in finding a family doctor, to help rule out other possible causes of these behaviours, such as ADHD, autism, hearing problems, etc., to ensure a focus on the right kind of intervention and treatment approach to this problem. This is empowering as again, I, as the social worker, am not trying to fulfill the expert role but instead working through the issues with Betty, offering support and resources that are at my disposal (Cournoyer, B., 2005).
Another principle in the empowerment perspective in regards to helping, not curing, the client would beadvocating on your client’s behalf, working on social change and challenging the system, thus “…making an imprint upon the society of our time…” (Timberlake et al, 2008, p.134). Betty is a victim of society. She is a recent immigrant to this country, a single mother with two children, one very young, and one who is acting out. She does not speak Englishwell which hinders her opportunities even further.Due to the immigration policy here, she is having difficulties getting her paperwork, granting her immigrant status. All of these societal problems work to oppress Betty. As her social worker, using the empowerment model, I would take on an advocate role here to help Betty fight the system, with social justice and social change being our foundations for the struggle.
The empowerment model is not static, rather always changing. The situations, interventions and methods will always vary; with no one correct solution or answer. The process of empowerment is a “…process of increasing personal, interpersonal and/or political power so that individuals…can take action to improve their own situations” (Timberlake et al, 2008, p. 135). Together, Betty and I will work towards change, collaboratively.
Areas of Analysis-
Immigration
A necessary area for analysis regarding Betty’s situation is the fact that she is a recent immigrant to Canada. Recent immigrants are among the most vulnerable populations in Canada (Stats Can, 2003). Many issues that are evident within Betty’s life are due to her immigrant status. Our post 9/11 still holds severe racist attitudes, both overtly and systematically, to this diverse population of people (Al-Krenawai et al, 2003). This only works to further oppress Betty.
Also, immigrants face a difficult time with the pressures of assimilation, pressuring these people to try to conform to their new society, in terms of clothes, food, beliefs, culture, etc. Studies have proven that unfortunately so, resistance to this assimilation rarely leads to advancement in social status or socio-economical class, even in our multicultural nation (Gans, H.J., 2007). Betty is like a rock in hard place here, wanting to stay true to her own cultural belief systems but being placed as an outcast within our society.
Another factor that faces new immigrants within the North American society is isolation (Dwairy, M., 1997). Maslow (1970) identified five categories of basic needs. One of these needs he listed was the need to feel loved and a sense of belonging. Many immigrants lack this sense of belonging and love. They have problems with language and communication which contributes to this, along with again the prevailing dominant feelings of racism that come with being in a new society (Dwairy, M., 1997). Specifically, the Arab culture is a collectivist culture so these new feelings of isolation impact the new immigrant even more so due to the fact that family and community are held so high within their own countries. The immigrants come here to the more individualist North American Society, without their families and arrive feeling no sense of community but hostile actions and behaviours instead (Al-Krenawi et al, 2003). This is all true to Betty’s experienced, feeling lost, with nowhere to turn to and unsure if she should even turn to anyone, as generally with her culture, one does not go to a stranger to seek assistance (Al-Krenawi et al, 2003).
When working with Betty, it is very important to keep all these factors in mind. It is important to resource link with Betty. Support groups, parenting groups, and Arab communities do still exist within our society and could all be very beneficial to Betty, in dealing with the many issues that come with being a recently landed immigrant, who is also a single mother. These groups can allow Betty to feel more comfortable and less isolated and alone, along with gathering necessary information and tips. Social workers can and should act as this enabling link to assist in finding these resources and continuing to educate and support clients like Betty.
Areas of Analysis-
Gender
The North American society has its roots in the patriarchy (Timberlake et al, 2008). This works against the female gender, fostering, exhibiting and upholding systematic and institutional sexism (Vorst, J., 1991). In order to really understand Betty’s experiences, it is detrimental that we look at her gender as a focal point to really comprehending her experiences.
Women are expected to be passive, gentle, submissive and really only knowing themselves in relation to other people and their connections with others (Timberlake et al, 2003). These gender roles have a negative impact on all females, helping to lead to inequality and victimization within our society (Timberlake et al, 2008). This is true to all women, of all colours, and ethnicities. When women step out of these gender roles, especially those of different cultures or lower social economic status, they are shunned and ostracized (Vorst, J., 1991).
Our whole society is built upon this patriarchy system so it not only affects individuals but is engrained in our institutions (Al-Krenawi et al, 2003). Women make less than men on average per hour. There are sexist employment hiringpractices, along with high rates of sexual harassments at workplaces. The patriarchy has created myths such as the “Welfare Queen” which affect women who are in need of the social welfare programs, but creates this myth that makes all women seem suspicious of abusing the system (Vorst, J., 1991). This affects Betty as all of these institutions in turn seem to be working against her from the ‘get go’ limiting her options based on her gender (Al-Krenawi et al, 2003).
It needs to be noted however that concepts of sex, gender and race/culture are not easily separated, yet all act together, intersecting (Vorst, J.,1991). The fact that Betty is a Middle Eastern immigrant woman contributes to further discrimination and hardships for her due to the interlinking of the two area of analysis presented here.
My Values with CASW Code of Ethics
When Betty first approached me early on in our working relationship, she requested some information from me regarding discipline matters. She was quiet and spoke broken English and somewhat appeared to expect me to tell her the answers to her questions right then and there. I felt useless to a certain degree, telling her I would create a package of information to go over next session due to the fact that I really did not know the answers to her questions. Now when I reflect back upon the beginning of out working relationship, I realize that right from that point I reflected one of the pillars of social work practice-the value of empowerment (Cournoyer, B., 2005). I demonstrated to Betty that I am not an expert and these were problems that we would work through together. Empowering the client, being a resource locator and enabler, is a social work value from the Code of Ethics (CASW Code of Ethics, 2005) that I share, support and evidently a value that is found within my own social work practice.
My feminist value system contributes to the work I feel I can do with this client as well, in particular. As a feminist, I am able to put Betty at the central point of the problem and able to see how her gender, race and culture all intersect. Also, staying true with a feminist belief system, I am able to view society and its institutions as contributing to her issues. This works to help validate Betty’s experiences for her, taking some of the self blame off of her. These beliefs and values fit into feminist social work practice ideologies and approaches.
It is important, however, for me to also identify how my own culture influenced me to see Betty at first as a Middle Eastern woman who is oppressed more by and within her own culture and homeland by the Middle Eastern men and society (Timberlake et al, 2005). This is easy for me to say being a white person within a dominantly white society, thinking of ‘us’ as ‘their’ saviours to a certain degree. However, when looking at the areas of analysis specifically within this report, I was grounded and able to identify this bias that I come with do to my own white, North American culture influenced upon me. Identifying the bias that I bring to the situation with me is key within social work practice.
Yet another important issue that I discovered through this assignment is how I need to continue ongoing education within social work practice, which stays true to the Canadian Association of Social Worker’s value system as well (CASW Code of Ethics, 2005). I learnt plenty about the Arab culture when exploring Betty’s situation closely. I need to continue embarking upon this ongoing learning process in regards to other cultures, races, etc., as well to enable me to move closer to cultural competence within social work practice.
Conclusion
A thorough understanding and examination of any helping relationship situation takes time and a lot of consideration. Using specific frameworks to examine the issues, guide and organize one’s thoughts are necessary. I leant a lot about my client’s culture, immigration process, and gender issues while going through the frameworks and areas of analysis, seeing that nothing is simple or solvable with one method or approach. This assignment was very influential and made me really reflect upon the complexity of social work professional relationships. I also learnt a lot about myself and my own values that coordinate with the professions values, yet it made me aware of the cultural influences that I head into situations with, which need to be identified. Human diversity is a huge term in reality, encompassing many areas, affecting us all everyday within the profession of social work. Betty’s situation made me really view and comprehend the true relevance of human diversity to my social work practice, really forcing me to understand this term, seeing it as a lot more than just a hot topic right now within the helping professions.
Reference Page
Adams, L., & Al-Rubaiy, A. (1984). Implications for education and child rearing: The role of women from the Middle East. School Psychology International 5(3), pp. 167-174.
Al-Krenawi, A., & Graham, J. (2003). Multicultural social work in Canada. Toronto, Canada: OxfordUniversity Press.