2025 Global Social Work Midterm
Imagine you want to raise children or help parents who want to raise children who will:
a. never murder,
b. not regard persons experiencing poverty as inferior or causing their own problems,
c. understand individuals need to be able to disagree and respect their disagreements and also see themselves as inherently interdependent with their cultural community.
What four key guidelines from our readings and discussions would you use to accomplish that goal?
Question 1.
ReplyDelete1. Every Person is Unique and Equally Valuable – Each individual possesses unique strengths and abilities, and no one is inherently superior to another. Emphasizing the value of diversity fosters mutual respect and appreciation. Incorporating proverbs and wisdom from various cultures, such as the Kenyan saying, "A donkey’s thank you is a kick"(Tedma, 2013), can provide meaningful lessons on human interactions from an early age. In educational settings, integrating activities that encourage cooperation and recognizing peers' talents can help build an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
2. Self-Determination and Well-Being as a Collective Responsibility – As highlighted in Ewalt’s (1995) study on Pacific nations, self-determination should be viewed through a communal lens. Individual well-being is deeply connected to the well-being of one's community—whether that be family, classmates, or colleagues. Every decision we make has a ripple effect on those around us, making it essential to cultivate mindfulness and empathy. One way to instill this value in children is by promoting acts of kindness, such as encouraging them to assist their peers with assignments rather than competing to finish first.
3. The Crucial Role of Parental Responsiveness – Meeting a child’s emotional needs from an early age is essential for healthy development. When a baby cries, attentive responses from parents and caregivers help foster a sense of security. Conversely, consistently ignoring a crying infant can lead to heightened anxiety and long-term effects on the nervous system. Rubin (1997) notes that while some mothers of inhibited children display warmth and affection, they often fail to respond appropriately to their children's cues and needs (Chen, 1998). Ensuring that children feel heard and supported is fundamental to their emotional well-being.
4. The Impact of Marital Conflict on Child Behavior – Marital conflict can significantly contribute to aggression in children. Hart (1998) emphasizes that maintaining a harmonious marital relationship can help reduce aggressive tendencies in young children. Encouraging peaceful communication and teaching constructive conflict resolution strategies can foster a more stable and supportive family environment, ultimately benefiting a child’s emotional and social development.
I really enjoyed reading your four guidelines and being able to hear your passion through the screen! I also feel strongly about incorporating both community and individual care along with highlighting how important family dynamics are. I firsthand know how impactful it may be to constantly live between marital conflicts. This is why I also mentioned it as one of my guidelines as well. In addition, I remember talking about the donkey proverb in class that showed how we should be more open and understanding of diverse ways of expression. This could be applied to things beyond expression as well and I liked how you mentioned it as a way to explain that everyone is unique and still very valuable. I appreciated and enjoyed seeing the proverb from that perspective!
DeleteFebruary 24, 2025 at 3:52 PM comment form Elvialuz
ReplyDelete1. Progressive Childrearing Attitudes. When raising children, it’s important to consider the parenting style that’s used amongst different cultures. As highlighted in Bornstein, Putnick, and Lansford’s article “Parenting Attributions and Attitudes in Cross-Cultural Perspective”, their studies exhibited how “country differences in progressive and authoritarian attitudes articulate with societal encouragement of child agency. Parents who hold more authoritarian attitudes may encourage less agency in their children than parents who hold more progressive attitudes. The effects of different parenting styles on children have been shown to vary within and across culture.” (Bornstein et al., 2011). Due to this variation of parenting styles amongst cultures around the world, it’s important for social workers to educate parents on the impact of different types of parent attributions to children, and how these attributions can affect how future generations interact with people who are a) impoverished & underserved, and b) hold different views than them.
ReplyDelete2. Emotional Regulation of Children. One aspect of parenting that’s important to prioritize is helping your children regulate their emotions, especially when they’re young. This practice is important to start earlier in the child’s development due to the potential transpiring of aggressive, prejudiced attitudes towards others in their environment. Hart and colleagues illustrate this phenomenon in their article “Overt and Relational Aggression in Russian Nursery School-Age Children: Parenting Style and Marital Linkages” where they found that “higher levels of maternal coercion and lack of paternal responsiveness are the two most important contributors to relational and overt aggression in Russian nursery-school-age-children” (Hart et al., 1998). Thus, by contributing to the child’s emotional well-being will children be better able to interact with not just their parents, but those who they will have conflict with within their environment (peers, teachers, etc.). By doing so, children will also be less likely to perceive others as inferior to them, especially those facing poverty or other marginalized individuals.
3. Promoting a Cooperative, Peaceful Environment. Bruce Bonta’s article “Cooperation and Competition in Peaceful Societies” highlights the significance in educating children on a non-violent, peaceful society. For instance, he mentions how social scientists have defined this education through many facets, including “students' attitudes toward teachers and their schools are more positive in cooperative environments; (e) students have more positive attitude toward their classmates, including members of the opposite gender, other ethnic groups, social groups, and people with differing abilities, in cooperative environments” (Bronta, 1997). In light of these findings, it’s critical that instilling a peaceful environment within a child’s various systems can prevent violent actions from ensuing as these children get older.
4. Positive Determination of an Individual. As a child identifies who they are throughout their early development, it’s important that not only they have a positive sense of self, but that these children attribute these sentiments to others in their environment. In Markova and colleagues’ article “Social Representations of the Individual: a Post-Communist Perspective” they highlight the importance of verbally communicating the determination of the individual, stating that “language itself is an object of social representations. It not only enacts, maintains and changes representations but the representations, too, shape what speakers say” (Markova, 1998). In this light, identifying ways that American society specifically can change the language surrounding impoverished individuals, for example, offers much ground for change and social justice for these communities. In addition, determining an individual in a positive way is another step we can take to ensure that future generations are less keen to harm others for the sake of their own self-interest.
1. Empathy is fundamental in fostering a nonviolent mindset. Encourage children to recognize the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their bachround or circumstances. Teaching to understand the emotional experiences of others, especially those, who are suffering or marginalized, will help the build compassion and resist harmful stereotypes (Bonca, Bruce, 1997). For example, children can be taught to actively listen and put themselves in the soes of those who are in difficult situations like people living in poverty. Provide opportunities for children to volunteer, learn abou social justice issues or interact with diverse groups which will help the develop a sense of shared humanity.
ReplyDelete2. Understanding that justice is eesential for healing and social cohesion is crucial. Teach children that justice does not mean vengeance but accountability, healing and restoration. This understanding will deter violent behaviors and promote peaceful conflict resolution. Additionally, framing justice as the right of every individual, no matter their social standin, can help children grow into adults who will never regard individuals in poverty as inferior or undeserving respect (Pham, Phuong N. et.al., 2004). Engage children in conversation about fairness and the importance of seeing the humanity in all people regardless of their economic status or background.
3. It is essential to teach children that disagreement is a normal and healthy part of human interaction and that it is possible to respect someone even when their opinions differ from are own. By fostering an understanding of the diversity of opinions, experiences and beliefs, children can be prepared to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resort to violence or disrespect in the face of disagreement (Markova et al., 1998). Teach children to disagree respectfully and listen actively to others.
4. Children need to understand that their actions affect others and they are affected by the actions of others. This interdependence encourages a sense of responsibility and collective well being, which can deter harmful behavior like violence. Children who understand the interconnectedness of their community are less likely to see others as “others” or unworthy of their care and respect (Weigert, Kathleen Maas, 2004). Encourage activities that build community, through family bonding, neighborhood involvement or global citizenship education. Teaching children athe valui of their role helps nurture a sense of shared responsibility.
These guidelines encourage the development of well rounded, socially responsible individuals capable of making thoughtful, compassionate choices in a diverse world.
The way I could build a child on a positive way as address in the question is firstly to see the answer to this question in the light of Sen’s perspective of positive which he calls substantial (Sen,1999), he explains it has valuable thing that can be divided up and delivered to human being.
ReplyDeleteUsing this article is to firstly establish that every human has his/her own dignity which I term as dignity of Manhood. The first thing I will establish is that everyone has a life they value and capacity to achieve their full potentials.
Everything plays a sensitive role in building up a child.
FOUR KEY QUIDELINE AS DISCUSSED.
1. Empathy- this is one of the ways in which one could understand perspective and a way in which action is validated has to be with a child and trying to see things from their own point of view. For example, when a child lost his or her toy, a way of showing empathy is when you emphasize with the child by lamenting and saying, it can be frustrating when we lost something special, let us find it together. This value creates a sense of concern to a child to value humanity over things.
2. Self Determination- according to class discussion, and Ewalt (1995) it was established that self-determination is the birthrights of every person and that this is in each person, and a standard with which to evaluate a child development. so there is a need to respect a child cognition and intentions i.e a child should have the ability to think autonomously about oneself and one’s world, a child needs to understand positive value and a space for choices of positive perspectives should be made because this will establish a stable of and action to advance justice fair and equitable treatment for all.
3. Supportive environment-One of the principles we discussed in class is safe space and brave space which is capable of given the child a sense of belonging and help the child to realize that everyone has right to make his own opinion which must also be respected which is an essential part of what I will emphasize in bringing up a child.
4. Compassionate-This is the ability to show concern and care when a child makes mistake. Or the ability to show critical concern before making judgement, from the story shared by Prof Tyson in Class about her little girl who was judge wrongly but Prof analyzed the matter critically and everything became normalized. This is a art of compassion that gave the child a good space to live in. teaching the child to be kind towards themselves when they make mistake makes a lot of good
Nurturing a child who reflects values like non-violence, compassion for the underprivileged, and respect for diverse viewpoints is an intricate and demanding endeavor for parents. Nevertheless, adhering to four essential principles can assist parents in molding their child into a considerate and accountable individual.
ReplyDeletePrimarily, it is crucial for parents to cultivate a solid ethical foundation within their child from an early stage. By imparting the significance of life and the necessity for empathy towards others, parents can discourage their child from engaging in violent behaviors, including acts of murder. By highlighting the importance of life's sanctity and advocating for peaceful methods of resolving disputes, parents can foster in their child a profound distaste for violence.
In addition, parents ought to actively address any feelings of entitlement or superiority in their child by instilling respect and empathy for individuals from diverse backgrounds. By introducing their child to a variety of perspectives and experiences, parents can nurture an understanding and compassion for those who may be less privileged. Promoting kindness and generosity towards everyone, regardless of their social or economic situation, can help instill a sense of equality and compassion within the child.
Moreover, parents should emphasize the value of respectful disagreement and open-mindedness to their child. By demonstrating effective communication and conflict resolution techniques, parents can illustrate that it is possible to have differing opinions while still preserving respect and courtesy. Encouraging the child to consider various viewpoints, participate in constructive discussions, and reflect on alternative perspectives can equip them with the skills to manage disagreements with poise and understanding.
Finally, parents should focus on teaching their child critical thinking abilities along with the capacity to question and assess information on their own. By nurturing a spirit of curiosity and a desire for knowledge in the child, parents can aid them in developing a nuanced grasp of complex topics and forming their own reasoned opinions based on evidence. Motivating the child to think deeply, critically analyze information, and form their own views can help them evolve into independent thinkers who can respect and engage with differing perspectives.
In summary, nurturing a child who embodies principles such as non-violence, empathy, and respect for diverse opinions demands a dedicated approach from parents. By adhering to the four essential guidelines discussed, parents can contribute to molding their child into a responsible and compassionate individual capable of adeptly navigating the intricate realities of the world.
I would want to raise children who never murder, do not regard people experiencing poverty as inferior or causing their problems, and understand that individuals need to be able to disagree and respect their disagreements but also see themselves as interdependent with their cultural community. For me, the four key guidelines from both our readings and discussions that would accomplish this are:
ReplyDeleteOpen your heart and mind - On our first day of class, we were told to pick an African proverb from Prospera Tedam’s article that we enjoyed. I was quickly drawn to the Kenyan proverb, “A donkey’s thank you is a kick” (Tedam, 2013, p. 26). This proverb shows the immense diversity there is all around us. Things come to have different meanings but that should just allow you to have an open heart and mind because you never know the true meaning behind things.
Community - One should be taught that community is strong when we show up for it. We should always want to help those around us because being united is better than being divided. In Maria Idalí Torres’s article, she highlights “Ten Commitments for Community Health Education” including the second commitment, “Recognize and build on community strengths” (Torres, 2005, p. 9). As the residents of Vieques were leading the organization and decision-making for the rescue of their island, they built on their community strengths. Working together and getting back on their feet through collaborations with residents and others who saw their community shine through the daunting moments (Torres, 2005). Social relations were brought back through their strong initiatives.
Children Learn at Home - Growing up, children take in so much if not everything that they see and hear around them. In the Hart et al. article, we learned that “when marital conflict is verbally aggressive, unresolved, and includes parental disagreements over child-rearing, it may emotionally upset and threaten children” (Hart et al., 1998, p. 690). In Russian culture and any culture, marital conflict can have immense negative effects on children growing up. Maintaining a peaceful marital relationship may reduce the negative emotional and aggressive tendencies of the children. Instead, cultivating a safe environment that encourages communication will help foster healthy emotional and social development for the child.
We are all human - Gender norms have been ingrained in our minds as a whole society but also slightly different within cultures. Yet, we do not treat each other as all human beings, for example, in the Bianco et al. article we see that, “Gender ideologies were manifested in the forms of interrelated structural barriers that restricted women entrepreneurs’ access to resources” (Bianco et al., 2017, p. 338). While entrepreneurship did seem to give some positive change to gender equality, many negatives were still brought to the surface. One needs to teach that we are all human and should have the ability to achieve our goals without our gender stopping us. The more we raise this upon the new generations the easier it will be to stop this structural bias.
Katie Fritsche Reply to Evelyn Garcia:
DeleteEvelyn,
One of the great principles I liked here that you brought up about rearing children with the required values of the assignment is that we need to teach parents to raise their children to have an open heart and a mind. In my response to the Midterm question two I talked about considering the cost, and I think we should implore parents to consider the cost of what would happen if they didnt raise their children with an open heart and a mind. So much great evil has occurred throughout the centuries in terms of murder, violence, and misunderstanding simply because individuals have not been taught how to have an open heart and mind towards other people. Whilst I admit it is a unique challenge to have an open heart and mind about everything for children today, it is better that parents should insist upon it and model it throughout their daily actions in terms of how they treat people, because parents are role models as well. In all, I really liked your post and look forward to seeing more of your thoughts in future assignments.
a) Encouraging Personal Responsibility and Empathy
ReplyDeleteAccording to Markova et al. (1998), the Soviet system fostered dependence on the government, which hindered individuals from taking personal responsibility. To ensure children grow up to be non-violent and tolerant, it is essential to teach them personal accountability from an early age. They must understand that their actions have consequences and that violence, bullying, and belittling others are unacceptable ways to resolve conflicts. Furthermore, fostering empathy by teaching children to recognize and respect the feelings of others can help prevent violent behavior.
b) Promoting Cooperation and Emotional Regulation
Bonta (1997) discusses strategies for raising children in peaceful societies, emphasizing the role of cooperative relationships in preventing violence. Encouraging children to engage in cooperative interactions helps them develop social skills, problem-solving abilities, and non-violent conflict resolution methods. Additionally, teaching emotional regulation is crucial—parents should guide children in managing their emotions and developing tolerance toward others, which can reduce aggressive tendencies.
c) Creating a Supportive and Respectful Environment
Post (2005) highlights the significant influence of social environments and radical ideologies on a child's development. A child raised in an environment characterized by aggression and intolerance is more likely to adopt violent behaviors. To prevent this, it is essential to cultivate a home and community atmosphere that fosters respect, open-mindedness, and peaceful interactions. Modeling and reinforcing respectful behavior toward others will help children internalize these values.
d) Encouraging Critical Thinking and Constructive Expression
By synthesizing the ideas of the above-mentioned authors, it becomes clear that raising children with strong critical thinking skills, empathy, and positive outlets for self-expression is essential. Encouraging children to question stereotypes, challenge prejudices, and express themselves in constructive ways can help them develop into compassionate and socially responsible individuals. Additionally, fostering a home environment free from hatred—one that promotes patience, understanding, and problem-solving—will support their emotional and moral growth.
By implementing these principles, parents and caregivers can raise children who are non-violent, empathetic, and socially responsible members of their communities.