Showing papers in "International Social Work in 2001"
TL;DR: In this paper, the applicability of participatory action research to the diverse organizational and cultural contexts of social welfare work is discussed, and questions are raised about the use of PAR in the Asia-Pacific region where a cultural aversion to the public expression of dissent is frequently encountered.
Abstract: Participatory action research (PAR) is widely endorsed by social workers as consistent with their commitment to social justice. This paper critically appraises the applicability of PAR to the diverse organizational and cultural contexts of social welfare work. The author interrogates participatory researchers' assertions about power, method and action. Questions are raised about the use of PAR in the Asia-Pacific region where a cultural aversion to the public expression of dissent is frequently encountered. The author argues that some of the limitations of PAR can be overcome by radically opening it to insights from practice and from postmodern theories.
129 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored major current debates on ideology, teleology, epistemology and technology within the social work profession in the West and their implications for social work development in China, and found that Chinese social work scholars have adopted the century-old conceptual formulation of "Chinese corpus, western application" to balance the need for western knowledge and the need to intellectual autonomy.
Abstract: Indigenization is a key issue in the development of professional social work in China. Chinese social work scholars have adopted the century-old conceptual formulation of ‘Chinese corpus, western application’ to balance the need for western knowledge and the need for intellectual autonomy. This article explores major current debates on ideology, teleology, epistemology and technology within the social work profession in the West and their implications for social work development in China.
80 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the social implications of micro-credit lending via the Grameen Bank can be as powerful as the economic implications in rural Bangladesh, where non-governmental organizations are offering poor women economic opportunities and access to social development.
Abstract: Across rural Bangladesh, non-governmental organizations are offering poor women economic opportunities and access to social development. Findings outlined in this article suggest the social implications of micro-credit lending via the Grameen Bank can be as powerful as the economic implications. In a village-level assessment, Grameen Bank members’ gradual social capital formation was evidenced in evolving trust and expanded networks.
73 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors suggest benchmarks or a checklist (or model) to enable institutions to work out the extent to which they may be in the process of implementing this strategy.
Abstract: Critics have argued that for social work education and training in Africa to realize relevance, it has to shed its remedial character and assume a developmental outlook. However, what has not been clearly articulated is how to implement the developmental social work approach among the various institutions in the continent. This article suggests benchmarks, or a checklist (or model), to enable institutions to work out the extent to which they may be in the process of implementing this strategy.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored environmental issues in social work practice in New Mexico, USA and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa and found that the majority of respondents from both regions thought that environmental issues are important personally and professionally and are relevant to the social work profession.
Abstract: This research explores environmental issues in social work practice in New Mexico, USA and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. A total of 113 social workers responded to a mailed questionnaire. The majority of respondents from both regions thought that environmental issues are important personally and professionally and are relevant to the social work profession. However, approaches to practice concerning environmental issues differ between the two regions.
39 citations
TL;DR: An empirical investigation of 194 Israeli child protection officers’ decisions on 368 children at risk showed that while the officers predicted that all the children would have a better quality of life outside their homes, they removed only those where the projected disparity between the alternatives was substantial.
Abstract: The decision to remove children at risk from their homes entails serious dilemmas, since both remaining in and being removed have strong negative psychological repercussions. This article presents an empirical investigation of 194 Israeli child protection officers’ decisions on 368 children at risk. Findings showed that while the officers predicted that all the children would have a better quality of life outside their homes, they removed only those where the projected disparity between the alternatives was substantial. That is, they considered not only whether one alternative was better or worse, but how much better or worse. Implications for decisions in “grey areas” are discussed.
35 citations
TL;DR: In spite of high rates of psychopathology, utilization of health and mental health services was limited and a number of barriers prevented easy access to such services, particularly for those with PTSD.
Abstract: A total of 124 Cambodian refugees in Utah were interviewed about their mental health and demographic characteristics. Results indicate that 51 percent met the DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and 45 percent for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Findings of other mental health diagnoses were less frequent. It was also found that in spite of high rates of psychopathology, utilization of health and mental health services was limited. A number of barriers prevented easy access to such services, particularly for those with PTSD.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of attitude toward national politics on social work intervention is discussed, especially when foreign policy affects physical and mental existence, such as in the US during the Vietnam War, in the Middle East, in Hong Kong and in the former republic of Yugoslavia.
Abstract: This article discusses the influence of attitude toward national politics on social work intervention. Although national political affairs seem irrelevant to social work intervention, they are sometimes crucial, especially when foreign policy affects physical and mental existence, such as in the US during the Vietnam War, in the Middle East, in Hong Kong and in the former republic of Yugoslavia. Avoiding overt discussions on political issues can indirectly affect the intervention, especially through the worker’s role performance as social advocate and social change agent and sharing similar threats with clients, and client-worker relationships. However, such intervention requires special caution from the worker in order to avoid turning the intervention into a political debate, becoming judgemental towards clients or over-identifying with them. It also requires a professional policy that allows and supports the development and implementation of such interventions. This article is illustrated with the impl...
30 citations
TL;DR: The authors suggests that bullying in Japan has been affected by many factors, including the stresses involved in the educational system, Japan's indigenous religion, Shinto, and a national trend of passivity towards power.
Abstract: In the past 20 years bullying has become a serious problem in contemporary Japanese society. Bully-related suicides are on the rise and policymakers have been forced to aggressively pursue the issue. This article suggests that bullying in Japan has been affected by many factors, including the stresses involved in the educational system, Japan’s indigenous religion, Shinto, and a national trend of passivity towards power. Japan affords us the opportunity to see bullying as an international concern and to learn from the efforts of the Japanese to combat it.
29 citations
TL;DR: A partnership intended to be of educational mutual benefit has been developed between the School of Social Work and Social Policy of the University of South Australia and the Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs, Tamil Nadu, India as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A partnership intended to be of educational mutual benefit has been developed between the School of Social Work and Social Policy of the University of South Australia and the Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs, Tamil Nadu, India. The challenge of developing a mutually beneficial partnership between north and south, given the inequality in wealth that exists between the two, is a critical component in an ethically based relationship, most especially when it includes a profession that espouses social justice as a central value.
25 citations
TL;DR: The results support the reciprocal link between the type of help- seeking situation, feelings and utilized resources, and show that Hong Kong social work students carry a heavy cultural load of preconceptions relating to help-seeking.
Abstract: Experiences of help-seeking among the sample of 250 social work students were explored. A model of the reciprocal relationship between the situation prompting help-seeking, the social and cultural context, and the individual’s feelings was used to analyze the data. The results support the reciprocal link between the type of help-seeking situation, feelings and utilized resources, and show that Hong Kong social work students carry a heavy cultural load of preconceptions relating to help-seeking.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the Africentric approach as a viable link to understanding multicultural social work practice and use this approach in the treatment and prevention of violent and criminal problems.
Abstract: This article identifies the Africentric approach as a viable link to understanding multicultural social work practice. This Africentric social work model views the client with an African ancestry with minority status in the community as in need of unique cultural understanding in the helping process. Although most of the research and articles in this article are from the United States, social workers worldwide can find it useful in helping racial or ethnic minority clients everywhere. Examples are given with the treatment and prevention of violent and criminal problems using this Africentric approach.
TL;DR: The authors reviewed the international literature on futures studies in social work and concluded that a high-quality study requires substantial funding, the meaningful participation of multiple constituencies, and the use of multiple methods for data collection and action planning.
Abstract: In planning for the future, schools of social work need good-quality information about current and future anticipated changes which affect the nature of social work practice. A wide variety of methods are available to conduct “futures studies” to assist schools with this planning. This article reviews the international literature on futures studies in social work and concludes that a high-quality study requires substantial funding, the meaningful participation of multiple constituencies, and the use of multiple methods for data collection and action planning.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the self-concept of adolescent girls in Israel as an indication of their relative well-being and found significant differences in psychological selfimage, in social relations, sexual self-image and ability to adapt to new situations; adolescents placed with their relatives scored better on all criteria.
Abstract: This article examines the self-concept of adolescent girls in Israel as an indication of their relative well-being. It compares self-concept of girls cared for by kin with those cared for in non-related foster families. Self-concept was defined phenomenologically and measured using the Offer Self Image Questionnaire, OSIQ. Results indicate significant differences in psychological self-image, in social relations, sexual self-image and ability to adapt to new situations; adolescents placed with their relatives scored better on all criteria. Results are interpreted according to the girls’ characteristics, biological and adoptive families and relations with them. The authors suggest pointers for future policy and clinical intervention.
TL;DR: Findings from a recent study on users’ views of the service provided by an outreaching social work team in Hong Kong attempt to explore how youth at risk can be jointly involved in evaluating the quality of the social service.
Abstract: This article reports the survey findings of a recent study on users’ views of the service provided by an outreaching social work team in Hong Kong. It attempts to explore how youth at risk can be jointly involved in evaluating the quality of the social service. Users appear to have favourable opinions towards the service received and would like to have greater involvement in programme planning, implementation and evaluation. Finally, recommendations on improving the understanding of the needs of users and encouraging greater user participation in future service delivery are suggested.
TL;DR: The results of a pilot study conducted among in-school and out-of-school youths in Lusaka the capital of Zambia in February 1997 are reported in this paper.
Abstract: In this article we report the results of a pilot study conducted among in-school and out-of-school youths in Lusaka the capital of Zambia in February 1997. Specifically we describe the adolescents AIDS-related knowledge attitudes and behavior. Studies in the West indicate that adolescents who have dropped out of school (e.g. homeless delinquents those who are in residential centers) are more likely to be at risk of HIV infection because of their tendency to engage in AIDS-related high-risk activities (DiClemente 1991; Nader et al. 1989; Rotheram-Borus et al. 199la; Slonim-Nevo et al. 1996). In order to examine whether a similar situation is occurring in Zambia we included participants who had dropped out of school and were learning a technical profession (e.g. sewing and carpentry) in the community. The method of this pilot study is described in the Appendix. (excerpt)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors utilize a feminist structural perspective in demonstrating how the cultural, economic, political and resource disempowerment of Zimbabwean women and children perpetuates impoverishment, and propose strength-based community organizing for local and international social networking with grassroots women, NGOs, governments and other professionals to ensure women's and children's human rights.
Abstract: This article utilizes a feminist structural perspective in demonstrating how the cultural, economic, political and resource disempowerment of Zimbabwean women and children perpetuates impoverishment. It proposes strength-based community organizing for local and international social networking with grassroots women, NGOs, governments and other professionals to ensure women’s and children’s human rights.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the development of a new model for carrying out participatory research and is based on work done at a children's home in South Africa, where the model is a development and synthesi...
Abstract: The article reports on the development of a new model for carrying out participatory research and is based on work done at a children’s home in South Africa. The model is a development and synthesi...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the variables that affect Israeli social workers' recommendations to the courts on non-custodial fathers' access to their preschool children and found that social workers award more limited visiting rights to fathers who are poorly educated, do not meet with them, and are in conflict with their spouses over money and property.
Abstract: This study examines the variables that affect Israeli social workers’ recommendations to the courts on non-custodial fathers’ access to their preschool children Analysis of 151 court reports written by social workers in central Israel shows that they award more limited visiting rights to fathers who are poorly educated, do not meet with them, and are in conflict with their spouses over money and property The discussion focuses on the social workers’ inadvertent biases against men of a lower socio-economic level and offers practical suggestions for a more professional approach
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine child welfare practices under New Zealand's Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act of 1989 and identify four interrelated areas: the recognition of culture, the meaning of family and belonging, partnership with families, and the issues surrounding support and supervision.
Abstract: This article examines child welfare practices under New Zealand’s Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act of 1989. Insights offered by New Zealand’s experiences fall under four interrelated areas: the recognition of culture, the meaning of family and belonging, partnership with families, and the issues surrounding support and supervision.
TL;DR: In this paper, the work of Radlinska, one of the founders of social work in Poland, is discussed within the context of Polish history and its early development in social work is closely allied to the creation of a national identity.
Abstract: This article presents the work of Helena Radlinska, one of the founders of social work in Poland Her work is discussed within the context of Polish history as the early development of social work in Poland is closely allied to the creation of a national identity Implications for current social work practice, education and research are explored It is proposed that Radlinska’s model expands current conceptualizations of social work practice and moves the profession towards an empowerment-based model, more effective in serving oppressed and socially underdeveloped populations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative-evaluative assessment methodology is used to assess national statutory intentions with respect to social security provision for the unemployed, and the best unemployment programs are in Australia and Finland.
Abstract: Eighty countries have adopted unemployment programs. Most have an employment-based strategy, social insurance, that restricts coverage to those in paid formal employment. The cash entitlements provided are predominantly earnings-related. Funding comes overwhelmingly from employer and employee contributions, with only a minority of countries providing government subsidies. A comparative-evaluative assessment methodology is used to assess national statutory intentions with respect to social security provision for the unemployed. The best unemployment programs are in Australia and Finland.
TL;DR: This paper addresses the experiences of the authors, as Latino academics in the southwestern USA, as lessons for transcultural understanding in other countries of the world are drawn from those experiences.
Abstract: The borderlands of any country offer special challenges and opportunities not only to their residents but also for immigrants who arrive in the new lands. The southwestern border of the USA, with its bicultural heritage and history, offers particular stresses and opportunities; for Latino immigrants in the academy, those challenges are felt in very specific ways. This paper addresses the experiences of the authors, as Latino academics in the southwestern USA. Lessons for transcultural understanding in other countries of the world are drawn from those experiences.
TL;DR: The Moldovan government is expected to democratize and modernize a social and health service system that was originally subordinated to a highly centralized, authoritative and planned system in Moscow.
Abstract: The Moldovan government is expected to democratize and modernize a social and health service system that was originally subordinated to a highly centralized, authoritative and planned system in Moscow. The newly independent Moldova has embarked upon the transformation of its political and economic institutions. Legislation has been criticized for diverting funding needed to alleviate poverty into building a market economy. Government policy depends on how problems are conceptualized and their causes analysed, whether critical social dimensions are taken seriously, and on the degree to which the public and private sectors in the human services are integrated through the social work profession.
TL;DR: In this article, reflections and analyses of the process of immigration and attempts to assimilate or fit into the host culture in the US and the academic setting are discussed, and the blending of two cultures becomes more of a challenge and influenced my research, teaching and contributions to the field of social work.
Abstract: This article includes reflections and analyses of the process of immigration and attempts to assimilate or fit into the host culture in the US and the academic setting. Later acculturation, the blending of two cultures, became more of a challenge and influenced my research, teaching and contributions to the field of social work.
TL;DR: The contradictory relationships between women, the community and the state are explored in this article, where an increasing number of women seek to change their relationships within the family, community, and state through various initiatives which have taken them out of the private sphere.
Abstract: This article explores the contradictory relationships between women, the community and the state. In Taiwan, the state uses community work as a means of social control, for example, to reinforce patriarchal family relations; to manipulate women as a reserve army of labour to meet the need for a cheap labour force; and to formpatronage relationships with community leaders, in exchange for political loyalty. The Community Development Project is a typical example of this and is explored here. However, in contemporary Taiwan, an increasing number of women seek to change their relationships within the family, the community and the state through various initiatives which have taken them out of the private sphere. They have transcended the state-prescribed sex roles of mothers, homeworkers and volunteers by competing for leadership positions in the project.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate the massive impact of short-term changes on the internal work processes as well as the managerial potential to react to and control these influences in a Belgian social service agency.
Abstract: Management methods such as Total Quality Management are being introduced into the non-profit sector without reconsideration. One of these unconsidered items concerns the turbulence in the immediate environment. In this study of a Belgian social service agency we demonstrate the massive impact of short-term changes on the internal work processes as well as the managerial potential to react to and control these influences.
TL;DR: In this article, an international exchange of information and knowledge-building among occupationally-focused social workers can shape this reformulation, increase job retention and promote the historic mission of the profession.
Abstract: Global changes are increasing unemployment worldwide, particularly among women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and youth. Occupational social work practice can be systematically reformulated to focus on job retention supports in work programs. International exchanges of information and knowledge-building among occupationally-focused social workers can shape this reformulation, increase job retention and promote the historic mission of the profession.
TL;DR: The Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) achieved international acclaim as the first community project to negotiate an accord with relevant agencies to coordinate their work through written policies for dealing with domestic abuse cases that limited discretion on the handling of cases and subjected practitioners to minimum standards of response as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Two decades ago in Duluth, Minnesota, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) achieved international acclaim as the first community project to negotiate an accord with relevant agencies to coordinate their work through written policies for dealing with domestic abuse cases that limited discretion on the handling of cases and subjected practitioners to minimum standards of response. In this fine book, editors Shepard and Pence provide both a scholarly analysis of, and a practical hands-on guide to, what has come to be known in the domestic violence field as the Duluth model. Contributors include academics in social work, sociology and psychology as well as a variety of practitioners in the field, ranging from shelter workers to a chief prosecutor. Each of the eight chapters in the first section highlights a fundamental principle that the editors identify as being critical to the success of any community intervention project in the field of violence against women. In ‘Some Thoughts on Philosophy’, Pence explores how the power imbalance between women and men is perpetuated through police departments and court systems, particularly in the way that these institutions deal with cases of men’s violence against women. One of the most celebrated successes of the DAIP was its work with the Duluth Police Department to develop a mandatory arrest policy in the early 1980s. Making offender accountability and victim protection a feature of the police response to the problem represented a crucial first step towards changing the social climate of tolerance for domestic violence. Pence compares this ideological shift in dealing with men’s violence against women with the US civil rights move ment of the 1960s, where the National Guard was brought in to protect Black children in desegregating Southern schools. In ‘Batterer Intervention Programs: The Past, & Future Prospects’, Mederos explores some of the contradictions and complexities inherent in attempting to provide both sanctions and rehabilitation opportunities for abusive men. This writer, who has years of experience working as a counsellor of abusive men in the United States, identifies lower socioeconomic class as a correlate of higher levels of spousal violence. He International Social Work 44(3): 383–399