Family social work practice
The family can be ascertained as the fundamental quantum of the nation. It can be enumerated as the smallest unit. Thus, it is important to maintain and stabilize this important social entity. For this purpose, the concept of family social work has been implemented. Now, four approaches view the family social work. The first is the family as economic unit, the second is the family as a socially and biologically reproductive unit, third is the political choices visa viz.
the family, and the last one is the family at risk. These dimensions are embedded in the family’s interactions within its ecological context. Once they are formulated together, the position of family social work (FSW) becomes more clear and relevant. Definition Viewed together, existing family literature provides viable grounds for explaining family social work (FSW). For the purposes of applications to socio economic development, there are four types of policy or intervention approaches.
These dimensions more or less agree with the code of conduct designated by the Agency for International Development (AID) and the Family in Development initiative. (Albert, 2002) The four approaches view the: the family as economic unit, the family as a socially and biologically reproductive unit, political choices visa viz. the family, and the family at risk These dimensions are embedded in the family’s interactions within its ecological context.
International development assistance would be aided by these assumptions, as they are important in the context of the family as a unit. These models support present family led interventions. Many co variables of malnutrition and mental development (demographic, social, economic, attitudinal, and behavioral) were applied and these indicated modest correlations with growth and cognitive test scores. Initiatives using these variables resulted in more meaningful interventions than one-on-one family approaches.
These findings indicate that family-level interventions that improve total condition are likely to be more effective than those programs that influence only one or two aspects. (King, 2006) Rather than attempt any one definition of FSW, the main concerns that define it are: 1. Family management -Which has reference to dexterity in obtaining and managing resources to maintain the family under normal circumstances and during crises, skills required to maintain the family as a cohesive unit in terms of problem solving and decision-making.
The proper management of the family is the basic need and the most important variable of all. It should be carefully observed to make the management section a success in order to make the aspect of family social work mode successful. 2. Family caring capacity – The sensitive interactions between family members and the required knowledge and caring skills associated in physical existence, nutrition, health, social well being, and education. Here the level of communications is taken a vital ingredient and with the development of this variable, the overall welfare flourishes.
It also involves compassion and love. 3. Family beliefs, rules, and goals – Will make explicit the ideals and values for the family itself, goals for individual members, resource-sharing and cultural rules, and codes for family behavior. This is another important factor and it is directly related to the world outside the basic parameter of the family as the family is regarded as a part of the world itself. As a result, the family must comply with the set parameters of the given environment it inhabits. 4.
Family boundary maintenance – Implies the integrity of the unit, covering the formation (and dissolution) of reproductive and birth control partnerships, child custody and, the grooming and development of adult children into the world, arrangements for the care of the elderly, and demise. The aspect of family boundary maintenance is a important factor in this entire scenario. This factor is as individual formulation as much it is related to the entire society as a whole. With the help of this variable the entire process of health, development, birth and death are formulated and maintained.
(Kar, 2006) Family management Family management enables the family as a unit to acquire and manage resources consistent with its goals and cultural codes. This is “management,” rather than “coping,” because it is not the response to a crisis but a code for living. It includes the “basic task areas”: earning living, day-to-day home economics, planning, and seeking to take advantage of social services and new business opportunities. Proactive, upwardly mobile management styles are also associated with favorable child outcomes. (Fletcher, 2005) Caring capacity
This dimension, which corresponds to the family as a social and biological reproductive system, has a loving and fun-loving component and a micro-level competency component: that includes knowing how to – soothe a crying child, be sensitive to verbal cues and take appropriate action, tell a story, prepare oral re-hydration therapy, clean a wound, knowing when to go to the doctor; knowing how to protect food and kitchen utensils from animals. It captures the capacity to enhance and celebrate living through moment-to-moment transactions between domestic partners, their children, and others.
Beliefs, rules, and goals The beliefs, rules, and goals of the socially healthy family provide a support structure for economic success for both parents and children. They facilitate resource sharing and forward planning, which benefit all members. They are rooted in society’s concepts of the ideal family, in cultural value systems that draw support from the cultural contexts of the community and society. Concerns for these value systems at the societal level correspond to Aid’s sphere of political choices and the family. (IMF, 2007) These values and ideals also have an altruistic motive.
Cultural ideals for the family give meaning to life. The ability to fulfill them is a criterion for judging the success of life itself. Cultural periods remembered as golden ages have been defined by the quality of families’ lives. (Edelman, 2005) In general, the philosophy underlying family group intervention proposes that families, when provided with the necessary pertinent information and know how, are better able to devise plans to protect their own welfare than are professionals, because families know themselves — their problems, strengths and resources — better than professionals do.
Young people especially need the sense of community, identity and stability that only the family, in its various forms, can provide, and families are more likely than professionals, to find solutions, which actively involve other family members, thus keeping the child within the care of the family, rather than transferring care of the child to the state. (Lamb, 2004) Features The following are some important distinguishing features of FSW, with considerable variations between countries depending on history, culture, economics and politics
• FSW services are provided by governmental organizations; non-governmental agencies – sometimes referred to as NGOs or not-for-profits; and by organizations. However, most social care is still provided informally and unpaid by family friends, neighbors, colleagues and unpaid volunteers. Who should do what, and how much, remains a question of central importance in current discussions on the future of FSS. • FSW may be organized and provided separately from or as part of other related services such as health and education services.
There are arguments for and against this practice. Similarly, FSS for groups of service users such as people with mental health problems may be the responsibility of local health services, while some FSS for children (e. g. day care) may be provided by the education service. • There are differences between countries in the number and types of service users typically served by FSW. In most countries, they include elderly people; children and people with disabilities, both physical and mental; and people with mental health problems.
They may also include drug users; young offenders; refugees and asylum seekers. (Dollard, 2006) Thus, FSW seeks to empower the family more to support itself rather than oblige it to seek support. In addition, when families are empowered to fix their own problems, the very process of empowerment facilitates healing. Conclusion The aspects of FSW are far and wide. Its relevance is not only composed within the parameter of the family but, if applied properly, has the potential to become the quantum of a nation or the world.
If the family is empowered with the ability to become independent in true context then it is obvious that it would only help the nation in the near future and all humanity of the world in the long run. References: Albert R. & Gilbert J. Greene, Roberts; edited. (2002); Social Workers’ Desk Reference; Rutgers University; The Ohio State University Dollard, John & Doob, Leonard W; (2006); Aggression in Decision Building; New Haven and London: Yale University Press
Edelman, S; (2005); Evaluation Techniques in International Welfare; Bloemfontein: ABP Ltd Fletcher, R; (2005); Principals: Beliefs and Knowledge; Believing and Knowing; Dunedin: Howard & Price IMF; 2007; Reports: 2006-2007; Paris: ADM Press Kar, P; (2006); History of Social Work and Related Applications; Kolkata: Dasgupta & Chatterjee King, H; (2006); Social Principals Today; Auckland: HBT & Brooks Ltd Lamb, D; (2004); Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata; Wellington: National Book Trust
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