Global Social Work 2021 Midterm Question 2:
Imagine you were going to lead a parent support group in a country DIFFERENT than your own. How would you use Global social work principles that Healey describes to plan how to go about it? What content would you aim to address to promote parenting that does not encourage violence, using the ideas from readings from the class about child development and family relationships? You can include topics such as avoiding practices such as child trafficking, female genital mutilation and stigmatizing youth based on LGBTQ status.
In all cases, understanding the cultural contexts of your group population is extremely important. Considering that this group would be for parents in a different country other than my own, extensive research would need to be done on the cultural norms of that society. Some questions that I would need to answer by my own research and observation would be, what is the typical parenting style in this culture? What is a “normal” way of development in this country for children of a certain age? At what age is a child deemed an adult, or responsible for finances? After understanding cultural influences and norms in this society, I would be able to focus on helping these parents with some common issues they have as a community.
ReplyDeleteHealy emphasizes that social work should surround and protect the dignity of all people, not only our clients. Understanding and addressing the issues facing a community would help aid both participants of this group, as well as those who are not, by creating a better environment for children. The goal is not to just help the parents in the group, but to create a society that openly expresses concerns and identifies solutions. Using strengths, families within the community will be able to congregate around their strengths and identify the weaknesses. Having community supports is extremely necessary when trying to create solutions that may not yet be culturally acceptable.
In regards to a group that would create a more peaceful form of discipline and negate violence, I would emphasize the strong relationship children need with their parents throughout their lives. All parents have a different form of discipline, which is not something we can say is right or wrong. Talking to parents about understanding when discipline becomes violent would be the most important lesson. Different cultures have different ways of interacting with their children in relation to discipline and I would not want to be someone who came in and judged that. Instead, talking to parents about consequences that are both a lesson and nurturing would be helpful. If hitting a child is someone’s form of discipline, I would discuss the affects that children could face from violent discipline styles. Suggesting that children may respond better to discipline that is rather tough than violent would be a way to help parents understand. For example taking away a privilege or some sort of grounding routine rather than a strike, would help the parent build good behavior. The child would not be scared to make mistakes, but understand that there are consequences to their behavior. Using Healy’s principle of treating each person as a whole, the parent would better understand how they would feel in their children’s shoes.
Attacking other issues such as LGBT identities, genital mutilation or other culturally stigmatized situations, I think that narrative therapy would be extremely helpful. Considering that these topics are culturally imbedded within a society, it would not be my place as a privileged white woman to come in and tell a society what they’re doing is wrong. Narrative therapy would allow for parents to speak about their issues openly and compare them with other stories that may be similar. Taking away strengths from other parents that they have used and being able to culturally relate to another family. Global social work is something that is never fully understood. Coming into a new culture and trying to help people with issues you may have never faced is extremely difficult. In order to be successful, we must learn from observation and heavy research or else we will seem like just another white person trying to tell other people how to live.
1. Bonta, B. D. (1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121(2), 299–320. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.121.2.299
2. Healy, L. M., & Thomas, R. L. (2021). International social work: professional action in an interdependent world. Oxford University Press.
In my response I want to stress a few points that I liked most. Firstly, the importance of how children are developing at a particular age in different countries. I agree that this difference must be analysed. In some countries children at the age of 3 start playing with dolls while in others children at the same age are responsible enough to go shopping or wash plates after the meal. So it is an important point while thinking about parent support groups and how to pass correct messages to parents. Then I want to mention the consequences that children face because of particular upbringing methods. I agree that it is an important topic. I think some parents can do harm to kids even not knowing that but if someone explains sad consequences that a child may face in the future parents can understand and change their behaviour.
Delete2. Coming from the United States and traveling to a foreign country to lead a parent support group it is essential to utilize global social work principles. When planning how to go about leading the support group be familiar with the following principles: self-determination, confidentiality, and equality and nondiscrimination (Healey 246). However, keep in mind to make ethically informed decisions about how to act when utilizing these principles since each principle can be viewed in a different way internationally. For example, social workers in the United States emphasize the importance of the self-determination principle, whereas social workers in Asia and Africa view self-determination as a problematic principle (246). No matter what circumstance social work is based on the respect of all people and should always uphold and defend every individual's physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual integrity, and well-being. Considering this it is essential to utilize the above global social work principles that Healey describes. Furthermore, there is specific content that needs to be addressed in order to promote parenting and in making sure what is addressed does not encourage violence. Similar to social work principles and how they may differ internationally, parenting styles essentially do the same creating different behaviors and personality traits in children. Looking at Russian parenting styles Hart reports, “Maternal and paternal coercion, lack of responsiveness, and psychological control (for mothers only) were significantly correlated with children's overt aggression with peers. Less responsiveness (for mothers and fathers) and maternal coercion positively correlated with relational aggression” (687). Hart’s research shows how abundant parenting styles are in encouraging children to develop in a specific way. As shown above, one can see that this is not always a positive thing, potentially forming aggression and violent attitudes in children. Everything touched upon thus far corresponds with the idea that different countries have different morals or values. However, there are particular areas in general and of parenting specifically, that universally should share the same morals. It is crucial to introduce steering clear of practices such as child trafficking, female genital mutilation, and stigmatizing youth based on LGBTQ status. Supporting any of these as a parent is immoral in the sense that the parent is setting their child up for oppression and a life full of distress. Talking about parenting styles and what to avoid are key principles in promoting parenting that does not encourage violence when leading a support group in a foreign country.
ReplyDeleteWork Cited:
1. Healey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2. Hart, Craig H.; Nelson, David A.; Robinson, Clyde C.; Olsen, Susanne Frost; McNeilly-Choque, Mary Kay (1998). Overt and Relational Aggression in Russian Nursery-School-Age Children: Parenting Style and Marital Linkages. Developmental Psychology, 34(4), 687–697.
While talking about positive parenting it‘s necessary to mention it‘s associated with proper chld care and wise control and and assistance in meeting their needs. As with any activity, parenting requires knowledge and skills. Unfortunatell, most of the time lack of knowledge about child's needs, child development, proper discipline has negative consequences, such as child neglect and domestic violence. This knowledge and skills are usually passed down from generation to generation, so the parents themselves have grown up in the place of neglect, unable to prepare and nurture their own childhood. Therefore, it is especially important to create parent support group.
ReplyDeleteAs a soacial worker I agree with Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė and Liobikienė (2012) thought that the social work profession it‘s not just about knowledge. Values are the basis of social work. If the social worker's communication with the client is not based on values, there is no real and open connection and are favorable conditions for manipulating the client's feelings and behavior.
Based on Healy (2008) principles and thoughts of other authors first step before leading parenting support group, would be getting to know traditions and the culture of the country, where the group will be lead. For example I woukd choose Latvia. The content of parents support group would consist of such parts: 1. Get to know each other. 2. Child development and behavior; 3. Building a better relationship with the child; 4. Understanding and managing feelings; 5. Positive discipline; 6. Sexuality; 7. Addictions; 8. What do I know about violence? To sum up, the purpose of this group would be educate parents, talk to them, give them confidence, allow them to share their experiences with each other and become positive parents seeking to ensure the best care and safety for their children.
1. Liobikienė, N. T. (2009). Sisteminė pozityvios tėvystės raiškos ir ugdymo perspektyva. Socialinis darbas. Patirtis ir metodai.
2. Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, J. ir Liobikienė, T. N. (2012). Gebėjimai socialinio darbo praktikoje: tėvystės ir vaikų socialinio gebėjimų lavinimas. Mokomoji knyga. Kaunas: Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas.
3. Healey, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. Paramos vaikams centras (2016). Efektyvios tėvystės įgūžių mokymo vadovas.
Coming from a Mexican-American that has experienced a life mixed with privileges being born in a country with all the "resources" but neglects to use them towards important global social issues. It is essential to realize that not all parents think about joining a support group because depending on the case they are going through, they would not like to speak of it, or maybe they are afraid because they might be embarrassed, or someone is over their head. Considering I would be working with a country with different norms, values, and principles, then I do. The principles that I would be focusing on to lead a parent support group is worth, the dignity of people, commitment to equality and nondiscrimination, the concepts of multiple responsibilities of the professional (to self, profession, clients, society at large, coworkers, and employers), self-determination, and confidentiality. All of these principles influence the organization of the value of the questions. (Healey 246) I would first get informed of the community's social issues that they are facing and research what they need me to focus on and their number one concerns. Something that is also essential is that each principle could be seen differently.
ReplyDeleteParenting could also be seen differently. Not everyone has the same values; as I said, they could have a different ethnic background, religion, and most important psychological and emotional well-being. In the case of child trafficking, parents could get violent and aggressive and question why that would happen to them. The most comment question "Why my baby, why my child, she or he is just a baby." Instead of asking these questions, I would recommend trying to build a connection with the child. Most people would like to use violent approaches instead of communicating with their children. We have seen how paternal parenting styles and marital interactions are linked with childhood behavior. I would like to focus on making these connections with the parents and the children and talking about everything that the child would like to express and any identity crisis if needed. Focus on child development behavior, understanding and managing each other's feelings, and being open to the changes that are happening around the 21st century. I know that it could be hard to adapt to the new generations and the new mindset that we have of liberty and freedom of our sexuality.
Work Cited:
Healey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hart, Craig H.; Nelson, David A.; Robinson, Clyde C.; Olsen, Susanne Frost; McNeilly
Choque, Mary Kay (1998). Overt and Relational Aggression in Russian Nursery-School-Age Children: Parenting Style and Marital Linkages. Developmental Psychology, 34(4), 687–697
Hello, Mercedes! I enjoyed reading your post. Your answer is very informative! I agree with your idea that not everyone has the same values. I agree that everyone can have different ethnic backgrounds, religions, psychological and emotional well-being. It is a very important aspect is to accept a person as he is. I think it is a very good idea to build a parent-child relationship between so that the child can express themselves, reveal the crises they are experiencing, understand each other’s feelings. I think your suggestions, as a social worker, on how to improve relationships are very important.
DeleteThe age of technology allows parents to access more information about bringing up of children. However, today children face more challenges because they have more opportunities and freedom. One of the problems that our society faces today is violent behavior of children which varies depending on culture. If I was going to lead a parent support group in a different country, it is important to find out differences that exist in different culture. For example, leading a parent support group in Russia we can pay attention to Healey principles that are self determination, confidentiality, equality, autonomy and freedom, less harm, truthfulness and non discrimination (Healey, Lynn, 2008). These points are important because it is noticed that in Russia manipulation of kids, guilt induction, maternal and paternal coercion and love oriented discipline is used. Moreover, Bonta distinguishes two types of societies that are peaceful and violent and explains that „a peaceful society would carry the added implication that the society is particularly tranquil and lacking in conflict“ (Bonta, 1997). This leads to assumption that we can see differences how children are raised in different cultures and find out the reasons why some of them are more violent. Firstly, the difference of cooperation and competition is important. Bonta explains, that most nonviolent societies „base their peaceful worldviews on cooperation“ (Bonta, 1997). This means, that if parents emphasize cooperation they can reduce the amount of violence in the future. Secondly, it is important what games children play. Scientists say that competitive games encourage aggressive behavior and Bonta noticed that “when children play cooperaive games their aggressions decrease and cooperative behaviors increase” (Bonta, 1997). What is more, Hart and Nelson emphasize the relations within families. They state that more responsive parenting “was linked to less relational aggression for boys” (Hart, Nelson, 1998). This suggests that parents have to follow positive parenting rules because it is “important in the development of childhood behavior problems” (Hart, Nelson, 1998). However, parents have to pay attention not only to how they speak with their children but also how they communicate between themselves. This is very important when we talk about violence because children learn by example. According to Hart and Nelson, “more conflict in Russian marriages was significantly associated with both forms of peer group aggression” (Hart, Nelson, 1998). The previous sentence can support the behavior of people in nonviolent communities. Finally, it would be good idea to avoid such practice like child trafficking or female genital mutilation. For example, Dirie and Miller (2013), a model and an actor who wrote a book Desert flower, in her biographical book tells about her childhood, oppressive life in Africa, how she suffered genital mutilation at the age of five and what consequences does it have on woman’s psychological state. This again proves that environment is essential to children’s life. When children grow up in communities where good example is shown and when priority is given to a positive parenting they see and learn how to deal with problems without violence and aggression.
ReplyDelete1. Bonta, B. D. (1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121(2), 299.
2. DIRIE, W., & MILLER, C. (2013). Dykumų gėlė. Vilnius: Alma litera.
3. Hart, C. H., Nelson, D. A., Robinson, C. C., Olsen, S. F., & McNeilly-Choque, M. K. (1998). Overt and relational aggression in Russian nursery-school-age children: Parenting style and marital linkages. Developmental psychology, 34(4), 687.
4. Healey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
“Your children are not your children.
ReplyDeleteThey are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself”, Kahlil Gibran once wrote.
These verses lift an important question, about how parents should raise their children to become peaceful human beings. Not enough time is spent thinking about this issue, while it could be addressed as the very first step to build peace in the global society. Parents should be aware of their role, as a huge responsibility comes from it: their children are not just theirs, they are the next world generation. This revelation should be clear even before the child is born. In this way parents will, hopefully, understand the value and weight of their actions: those who feel the pressure of becoming parents due to family expectations, traditions and heritage, should re-think about their priorities. (Donath,2015)
Social workers could play a crucial part in this process: in fact, those parents who are so willing to take the risk of facing the truth, admitting that their educative approach might not have worked as hoped, are the ones who want to offer an alternative to their children; this alternative is far from the one the parents have received themselves and it tries to be in accordance with the current times and place the children are living in.
In our extremely globalized and interconnected world, it becomes essential for a social worker to understand what approach might be the most suitable for his/her purpose, in the country he/she is working in. The approaches might be universalistic or relativistic, depending on the focus given to each country’s peculiarities. It is possible to define universalism by saying that there is a ground common to all men, for example referring to individual rights: this ground cannot be compressed by culture, as it is “irrelevant to the validity of moral rights and rules” (Donnelly, 1984 in Haley,2008). Meanwhile, relativism is based on the deep analyses of cultural features, that become the key to the understanding of individuals’ behaviours: for example, it could be helpful to look at the country's history to understand what parents have been taught, or in what kind of social environment they have grown up. Drawing a continuum with these two tendencies, the social workers will be able to have a full picture of the place they are in and what solution could work better, also in the long run.
In general, social workers could start using a neutral support, focusing on the principles of a responsible upbringing, right in between authoritarian and permissive extremes.
Healy (2008, p. 374) summarizes social work principles, which are based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people, and the right that follows from this. According to this statement, children have their own dignity, this means that their prerogatives must not be minimise.
A consistent self- analysis focalized on the examples parents offer, could be the turning point in upbring children: the very first stages of learning are via imitation and replication of those who are closer to us. It is impossible to think that someone, grown up in a violent familiar environment, will not get used to the idea that violence is the answer to problems. Here is where the relativistic strategy could be more developed and analysed: knowing more about what has happened in one country, what is still happening, from politics, to the current policies, economic stability and so on, could be helpful for the social workers.
1. Bonta, B. D. (1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121(2), 299.
2. Healy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
3. Donath, O. (2015). Regretting Motherhood: A Sociopolitical Analysis. Signs, 40(2), 343–367
4. Berti,A.E., Bombi,A.S. (2013). Corso di psicologia dello sviluppo: dalla nascita all’adolescenza. Il Mulino
Hi Sofia! I agree with your idea that parents need to understand that children don’t just belong to them and they are the next world generation. I think a lot of parents forget this and see children as their property. They do not think about the fact that their efforts in raising their children will be reflected in the well-being of society. You also touched on a very important point that the violent environment conveys to the child the perception that violence is the solution to problems. Children can adopt patterns of behavior very quickly and then it can be very difficult to change them. I think your suggestions to the social worker are accurate and meaningful.
DeleteHi, Sofia. I agree that too little attention is paid to the perception that children are our future, and that how parents nurture them is passed on to future generations. Parents need to set a good example for their children. And I very much agree that the views of children need to be respected. Very often children’s opinions are not listened to because it is thought that children do not understand anything. This is disrespectful.
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DeletePART 1:
ReplyDeleteIn global social work practices, cultural competency and understanding are key. As Healy states, “awareness may well be the starting point for international action” (Healey, 2008, p. 6). If I were to lead a parent support group, I would take into account several factors: the country or community I would be working with; my group’s demographics in terms of age, race, sexual orientation, and gender are; the main issues that parents typically face in this country or community (as they may be different than the ones in my home country); and the age range for the children that these parents have. In regards to the first factor, I would need to do extensive research on the country to learn what the cultural and societal values are in this area, as well as any economic or political factors that may currently be at play. If a country is struck by poverty or war, the information and resources that I would choose to offer would differ than if the country was prosperous, stable, and more peaceful. Understanding the cultural framework in which my clients reside is extremely important in order to establish rapport, but also so that I can facilitate discussions within this support group that are most meaningful. Additionally, if the country that I am going to has a dominant language that is not English, I would look into bringing a translator or interpreter with me so I can speak with my audience instead of at them. This can also create a sense of closeness and understanding, as I will not force people to understand information in a language that is not familiar to them. Next, I would look into my group demographic. Factors such as age, race, sexual identity, and gender can make some information more relevant than others. For example, if I am speaking to an audience that is primarily composed of cisgender men, then I would incorporate more information and discussion around women’s issues, and detailed insight into raising daughters and how a young woman’s experiences may be different than that of the fathers and the sons in the family. Furthermore, I would research minority identities and how these minority identities are treated in this country’s society, in order to best understand and address my clientele. I touched upon this very briefly earlier, but educating myself on the current political affairs of the country, the laws within the country, and even the UN goals that this country supports, would help me better understand some of the pitfalls that the parents and children may be experiencing in their day-to-day lives. Moreover, I could learn about some applicable services, such as local agencies, NGOs, or community centers that can mitigate some of the stressors that my group members experience. Lastly, I would learn the age range of the children whose parents I would be working with. If all of the children are toddlers, then some of the skills I would address would have to be fit for that age range. If the children are teenagers, then I can choose topics such as independence, maturity, and identity for discussion because those are areas that middle childhood aged children are more so dealing with. The main efforts here are to remain culturally and developmentally aware of who I am working with, and whom my conversations (and subsequent conversations of the parents) will best benefit.
PART 2:
DeleteOnce I have educated myself about the country and group of parents that I would be working in and with, respectively, the next task will be to choose topics for facilitating discussions in a way that is mindful of the global social work principles and values. To promote parenting that does not encourage violence or aggressive behavior, I would turn to a tactic detailed in the Bonta’s article about the rearing of children in non-violent or peaceful societies. In these societies, there is an emphasis on cooperation over competition. In order to instill this value in children from a young age, parents will provide the child with love, care, nurturance, and attention until the child reaches about age 2 or 3. After this milestone, the parents will let the children scream, cry, pout, and overexert themselves in an attempt to receive attention without giving in. As a result, “the infant learns quickly the importance of love, closeness, and dependence on others; the 3 year-old learns that the individual cannot dominate others. A spoiled 5-year-old might lead progressively to an egocentric, dominating, competitive, aggressive, and perhaps even violent adult” (Bonta, 1997, p. 302). When a child learns that they will do best when the entire group succeeds, and that their comfort and value in society comes from the group, they will preserve these relationships by working together for a common goal rather than turning against their peers and family members. In societies that are focused on individualistic ideals, these values and subsequent behaviors are switched. When a person works solely for their own benefit, then a competitive mindset will replace the cooperative one, and every conversation, assignment, and opportunity becomes a battlefield. Introducing this idea of cooperation instead of competition, and even explaining the contexts in which this kind of upbringing has produced positive results may allow the parents to rethink their own parental practices, and to incorporate new routines within their family systems.
As for discussions pertaining to particular detrimental practices such as child trafficking, female genital mutilation, and the stigmatization of youth based on LGBTQ status, I would focus on a social issue that is most prevalent to the country that I am working with. For example, if female genital mutilation (FGM) was a common tradition amongst the population I was working with, then I would choose this topic for discussion. Going further, I must not allow my own personal biases or opinions to infiltrate the conversation. The central values of global social work practice, as identified by Healey, are to maintain a commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of people, to equality and nondiscrimination, and to self determination and confidentiality. When initiating discussions about deep-rooted beliefs regarding the treatment of other individuals (such as girls/women, children, and LGBTQ identifying peoples), Healey encourages the use of a reframing approach. In this manner, the values behind a certain action such a female genital mutilation can be identified, and then expanded on to see whether the behavior is necessary in order to promote the cultural value. If the purpose of FGM is to inhibit a girl’s ability to feel sexual pleasure, then the discussion can split off into “what is the purpose of restricting such an ability?” “Is genital mutilation truly the only way to achieve this goal?” “What are the risks involved with such a practice in the short- and long-term for these women?” Through a more thorough examination, parents can start to dismantle harmful cultural practices instead of being shamed into changing (which can oftentimes lead to further conflict and mistrust of social workers.)
1. Healy, L. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.
2. Bonta, B. (1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121(2), 299–320. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.121.2.299
Parenthood is described as a process of special activity that takes place in a defined social context, which the main goal is to ensure the well-being of children (Liobikienė, 2009). Parental behaviour and parenting style influence child's development. So parenting support is really important. If I would lead parenting support group in a country that are different than my own, I would first take into account the cultural context of that country. I would try to understand their beliefs about parenting, their traditions, viewpoint. I would also be guided by the principles of global social work such as respecting the right of self-determination, promoting the right to participation, belief in the worth and dignity of each person, identifying and developing strengths (Healy, 2008).
ReplyDeleteDuring the meetings I would speak about few different and very important topics. I would first talk about how important it is not to use coercion against a child and show him respect and love. If the child is aggressive with his peers, there is a good chance that the reasons lie in his home. If parents use coercion against their child, they can easily notice the consequences (Hart et al., 1998). How parents treat children responds how a child will treat the others.
I would also encourage parents to teach their children cooperation rather than competition. It will encourage peaceful, nonviolent behaviour and the assumption that you are part of a community (Bonta, 1997). For example, when parents put too much pressure on their children to be the best among their peers it encourages competition. Child must feel that he is loved and appreciated despite what are his achievements. It is also better to show the child that by working together and helping each other, amazing results can be achieved.
And I would pay attention to these positive parenting techniques. Parents need to clearly define their role, draw the boundaries and rules of the child’s behaviour and require the child to follow them. Boundaries and rules are necessary to make a child feel safe. When a child misbehaves it is important use only meaningful punishments. The purpose of punishment is to teach a child to behave properly without any kind of humiliation. The best microenvironment for positive parenting is when the family is connected and flexible: family members are connected by emotional ties, but their individuality is respected and sufficient space is left for privacy (Liobikienė, 2009).
References:
1. Bonta, B. D. (1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121, 299-320.
2. Hart, C. H., Nelson, D. A., Robinson, C. C., Olsen, S. F., & McNeilly-Choque, M. K. (1998). Overt and relational aggression in Russian nursery-school-age children: Parenting style and marital linkages. Developmental psychology, 34(4), 687
3. Healy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
4. Liobikienė, T. N. (2009). Sisteminė pozityvios tėvystės raiškos ir ugdymo perspektyva. Socialinis darbas: patirtis ir metodai, (4), 107-123.
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ReplyDeleteIf I had to lead a parental support group in a different country than I live in, I would first have to get acquainted with the culture, customs, traditions, economy of that country.
ReplyDeleteWhen working with families, parents raising children, it is important to know what relationships prevail in the family, how and in what ways the family solves problems.
When working with families, my main goal is to send a message to parents that corporal punishment against a child is not an appropriate way of upbringing.
Violence against children is the habit of slapping them with a hand, belt, stick, whip, or other object. It has long been a widespread phenomenon around the world. From generation to generation, the false belief is passed that only by biting a child with a handkerchief or belt can he be brought up as a decent man.
61 percent of parents believe beating is a normal punishment, although various studies have shown that corporal punishment can be harmful. it can be concluded that parents do not understand the needs of children and do not have knowledge of the child's behavior and discipline. Punishment is a necessary and necessary part of behavior management. But beating, no matter what and for whom, affects the child very negatively. When we beat a child, we instill a sense of fear and inferiority, self-esteem, a desire for revenge, and at the same time we teach that it is possible to beat loved ones.
Education and public awareness are key preventive tools that can address the direct and indirect causes of violence, help understand the impact and consequences of violence, introduce non-violent alternatives and lifestyle changes, and influence stereotypes and habits that justify or ignore parental violence against children.
The main objectives of public education campaigns against violence are:
· to deepen public awareness of the existence and prevalence of domestic violence;
· Provide specific information on where to go for help;
· Change society's values and habits related to the problem;
· Suggest ways of action;
· Clarify the role of criminal justice for victims and perpetrators;
· Provide other useful information, such as family law, children's rights and responsibilities.
Žukauskienė R. Raidos psichologija. Vilnius, 2001.
Sutton C. Socialinis darbas, bendruomenės veikla ir psichologija. Vilnius, 1999.
Question 2.
ReplyDeletePositive parenting is about cultivating the best values in a child. In many countries, values are different, they depend on religious, ethnic customs. In many countries, women’s rights are inferior to men’s. Also, raising girls gives them fewer rights, imposes more work. Women give birth to children and take care of the home. It is their duty to be a good mother and a good wife. Men work, are heads of families, are representatives of the government. But how does this affect family well-being, relationships, and the upbringing of children? The biggest problem that women and men have established attitude towards gender and how to raise a child of one or the other sex, d epending on the culture of the country in which they grew up.
I will analyze the upbringing of Chinese children. Yale law professor Amy Chua says it’s about parenting: Chinese mothers raise more accomplished, academically successful kids because they are more demanding and strict than Western mothers are. The threat of punishment and lots of psychological control is authoritarian parenting, an approach to child-rearing that is usually not associated with the best academic and emotional child outcomes. The most shocking story is that Chua’s daughter did not achieve the required results while playing the piano, so the mother did not allow her to go to the toilet, etc., until the daughter learned the required piece. Importantly, the mother herself felt oppressed by her parents if she did not feel parental approval. Chua did not consider whether her methods of raising her daughter were appropriate and in line with human rights.
In this case, the child's right to choose was violated. No matter where a child grows up, it is important for his or her parents to understand that the development of a child’s fascination is made by parental choices. Violence, psychological oppression, physical coping do not yield any tissue. It only violates the rights of the child, and development. The study recommends students’ happiness should be the first priority and that society should lower academic pressure. It also suggests incorporating psychological assessments into articles of law in order to achieve a reduction in the amount of suicides. There is a perception that Chinese students are exhausted. Statistics show that Chinese elementary and secondary school students spend an average of 2.82 hours on their homework each day, three times longer than the global average.
In my class, I would help parents understand that relationships are formed in the family. Violence cultivates violence. Children must first and foremost be loved and respected for what they are. Not for what is expected of them.
1. J, Maslin, (2011). "Amy Chua's 'Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother' – Review". The New York Times. Prieiga per internetą: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/books/20book.html?_r=1
First of all I would do a deep research on the culture to which I am going to introduce myself. Taking into account the general principles of social work; respect for the intrinsic value and dignity of human beings, do no harm, respect for diversity and the defense of human rights and social justice. Social work engages people and structures to cope with life challenges and increase well-being. It should be clear what these challenges are, how they have been discussed previously and what are the failures. Involving the parents of this community, so they can act actively at all times.
ReplyDeleteWithout forgetting the greatest motivation of social work: defense and support of human rights and social justice. This means that we must take into account all people, not because we are working with some, we have the right to coerce the human rights of others.
Helping and improve the conflicts in this community not only positively affects this community but also those who are not part of it. Well, the main objective is to create an open society where they can express themselves freely and are able to identify their problems. For this we would have to analyze what has happened previously in the country, what is happening and what possible scenarios could happen in the future, thus forming a context.
As a social worker, I would try to create content where freedom and human rights are the basis of everything, where violence or selfishness are rejected. The problem is not the conflicts, they will always be there, the problem is how they are solved. Children see their parents as perfect beings that they aspire to become one day and parents are often unaware of this. For example, if a child sees his father making fun of another parent for having a “worse” job, this is considered to be okay. The same sa if you see an elderly person on the ground because he has fallen and this does not help him, the children will understand that he does not have to help him. Every parent educates their child differently, there are no right or wrong ways. Hart shows the different ways of educating and raising children and how these affect them specifically. Talking about parenting styles and what to avoid are key principles to promote the education of children in a non-violent way.
But parents have to be aware of the great role they have and that even when they think they are not educating they are doing it (for the simple fact of observation). In this group would discuss the important repercussions of the different ways of educating a child. For example, when he is educated with violence, in the future this child will have internalized that when something does not go well or when someone does something that he does not like, he will be “justified” using violence. Although the fact that violence is not used does not mean that there are no consequences, of course there are, but not on a physical level. On the other hand, I would emphasize values such as empathy, humility, help, respect, love for nature, equality. It is important for parents to empathize with their children, seeing each person as a whole (Healy principle). Parents must be aware of their role, as their children are not theirs alone, rather they will be part of a society in future generations.
Going into issues such as child trafficking, female genital mutilation or the stigmatization of young people (LGBTQ status), it would be necessary to have a great cultural and historical context to know how to deal with it. They do not have to feel like we are "scolding" them and telling everything they have done wrong or should not be done, with this way they will only create a rejection. A space of empathy must be created where they understand that there are limits that cannot be exceeded, thus violating the rights of children. It would be a key point to create small therapy groups where parents can express themselves freely and have the support of their community, as well as support each other (narrative therapy). As far as possible, social work supports work with and not for people. Social work practice is a range of activities that include various forms of therapy and counseling, group and community work, policy formulation and analysis, and supportive and political interventions.
DeleteI would like to finish with the following citation:
“"It is as dangerous to say that you are never a victim as to say that you always are”. (Healy, 2021)
References:
Healy, L. & Thomas, R.L. (2021). International social work: professional action in an independent world. Oxford University Press.
Healy, K. (2001). Social work practices: Contemporary perspectives on change. Madrid: Editions Morata, 211 p.
Muñoz Arce, Gianinna. (2015). Imperialismo profesional y trabajo social en América Latina. Polis (Santiago), 14(40), 421-438. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-65682015000100020
(2019). Definición global del trabajo social. 2019, de Internacional federation of social workers Sitio web: https://www.ifsw.org/what-is-social-work/global-definition-of-social-work/definicion-global-del-trabajo-social/
Question 2:
ReplyDeleteI think that the first step would be get acquainted with the culture of that other country. People are different everywhere, and their traditions and values are also different. In our country, it is unusual for a child to do adult work, but in another country it will be normal for a child to go to school alone, go shopping, and so on. After finding out what parenting styles prevail in families, what is the country's attitude towards children, parents, upbringing. Then make sure that everything complies with the norms of the legal system. My goal would be to strengthen the connection and understanding between parents and children, to encourage them to engage in joint activities. Also educate parents on preventive issues such as child trafficking, internet dangers, drugs and etc.
Recently, children are inseparable from technology and the Internet (computers, phones, tablets). However, controlling youth activities online is difficult. “Young people in all societies today are pioneers, occupying online spaces in ways that adults often cannot imagine. These spaces can be immensely creative, but can also expose children to dangers adults may in many instances only dimly perceive.“ (UNICEF, 2011). We adults understand the damage that a single photo or comment can do, but children look at these things naively.
According to Healey principles that are self determination, confidentiality, equality, autonomy and freedom, less harm, truthfulness and non discrimination (Healey, Lynn, 2008).I would try to convince parents that there are many dangers on the Internet. However, when their child falls to them, they should be supported, the current situation explained or even the police contacted. Because from my personal experience, I can say that parents often back down, delete children’s social networking accounts, and run away from that topic.
1. UNICEF. Child safety online Global challenges and strategies. (2011). ISBN: 978-88-6522-004-7. Prieiga per internetą: https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/ict_eng.pdf
2. Healy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
3. Mažonienė, M., Povilaitis, R., Suchodolska, I. Elektroninės patyčios ir jų prevencija. (2012). Prieiga per internetą: https://www.bepatyciu.lt/media/files/downloadable/elektronines_patycios__perziurai_galutinis_FcYPqOY.pdf
Hello, Deimante. I agree with your thoughts. I also think that when starting to work with a group, you need to find out what parenting styles prevail in the family. Computer addiction and the dangers of the internet are a sensitive issue.
DeleteNo matter what country (or subgroup within a country) that I am working with, it is imperative that I first educate myself on the customs and norms of their culture. In Healy’s book she quotes Donaldson saying, “practice considered ethical in one country or cultural setting may be unethical in others (Donaldson, 1996, p. 56)” (246). This differentiation in ethics is a huge factor in terms of adjusting practices towards whatever country I am working with. However, the principle and value of respecting human dignity is first and foremost the most important. Healy explains that many value differences can be accommodated in international social work unless they do harm and stray from respect for human dignity (246). This does not only apply to the parents that I am working with but the human dignity of all peoples in society. After educating myself on the cultural norms of their society, I would better understand the reasoning behind some harmful parenting tactics. For example, if conversations about female circumcision were discussed, I would approach the opposition in a way that is against the practice causing physical harm rather than attacking the root of sexism (246). Approaching it in this way is more likely to reach the parents by relating to their pathos and logos rather than ethos.
ReplyDeleteI would also focus on ways to lower violence and make their society more peaceful as a whole. Bonta’s journal “Cooperation and Competition in Peaceful Societies” he shares findings on cross-cultural studies that show children who are encouraged to play cooperatively rather than competitively are those in the most peaceful of societies. Children playing cooperatively is directly correlated with lower rates of aggression and higher levels of cooperative behaviors (Bonta 299). I would use this study to explain to the parents the importance of role modeling cooperation over competition to secure a safer future for their children and lowering levels of violence all together in society.
Healy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Independent World. Oxford University Press
Bonta, B.D.(1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121(2), 299.
Question 2:
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to positive upbringing, the first thing to pay attention to is parents and their upbringing. It’s no secret that often parents simply lack the upbringing or social skills that children often suffer from as a family. Raising children means helping them to follow the right path of life, to acquire the right skills, to form their opinion. Parenting requires skills and knowledge that do not emerge anywhere. Certain deficiencies in a child’s development, abilities, behaviors, exacerbate significant family neglect, and even the possibility of violence.
Articles and books have been written about positive parenting, and about the upbringing of positive children, but if they should be based on themselves, though, or I would rely on Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, J. and Liobikienė, TN (2012). the social work profession is not just about knowledge. Values are the basis of social work. ” If the social worker does not find a way to communicate or make contact with clients, there is no real and open connection between them. This means that the social worker can easily manipulate clients and easily turn to his side, but the social worker needs to pay, teach confidence and openness.
Based on the principles of Healy (2008), the thoughts of other authors, it is possible to single out 8 parts that make up Parent Support Groups: 1. Get to know each other. 2. Child development and behavior; 3. building a better relationship with the child; 4. Understanding and managing feelings; 5. Positive discipline; 6. Sexuality; 7. Addictions; 8. What do I know about violence? This shows that parents must also strive for their children, and to improve and deepen their knowledge about their upbringing, about strengthening the bond
1. Healy, L. M. (2008). Tarptautinis socialinis darbas: profesionalus veiksmas priklausomame pasaulyje (3-asis leidimas). Oksfordo universiteto leidykla.
2. Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, J. ir Liobikienė, T. N. (2012). Gebėjimai socialinio darbo praktikoje: tėvystės ir vaikų socialinio gebėjimų lavinimas. Mokomoji knyga. Kaunas: Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas.
:
Starting a parental support group in another country I think would be difficult. Healy (2008) is very useful for beginning social work. When starting a parent support group, before taking action, you first need to understand them about their culture, lifestyles, parenting styles, and the challenges that arise when raising children. What should be needed in another state group is a more positive parenting training skirt for parents raising children aged 3 to 12 who have questions about parenting and need new skills, for example. sometimes experiencing mild to moderate (but not particularly serious) problems raising children may also benefit from the help of other parents raising children. The aim of this training should be to promote good parent-child relationships, prevent (serious) problems in raising children and prevent behavioral problems in children.
ReplyDeleteThus, in order to lead a group and become a real social work specialist, it is necessary to acquire professional skills that can help the client to constructively change the problematic situations that have arisen in his or her life. According to Vyšniauskytė - Rimkienė, J., and Liobikienė, NT, the basis of communication between a social worker and a client - mutual respect and trust - does not appear suddenly, sometimes it is quite a complicated and painful process. Clients do not immediately trust the social worker, often manipulate, lie because they have learned to survive and achieve their goals. The social worker must decide when is the best time to confront the client so that communication is not interrupted and a relationship based on trust is maintained. During the group, the social worker should reveal himself / herself to the client while leading the group: tell a little about himself / herself or express his / her feelings, purposefully to strengthen the professional relationship based on trust. Seeing the sincerity and openness of the employee will make it easier for the customer to open up. It is very important to agree on the rules before leading the group. I would schedule 6 meetings. Each meeting would have a specific topic, clients could present their cases, analyze situations, do homework, watch visuals, and perform practical tasks designed to foster positive parenting. It is very important that each meeting has a purpose and that group members express their expectations. My scheduled meetings would be:
The first meeting is acquaintance and development of the child.
The second meeting is attention, praise and reward.
Third meeting - setting boundaries, saying no
The fourth meeting is corrective references and separation.
The fifth meeting is a meaningful punishment
Sixth meeting - looking back and forth (conclusion)
In conclusion, I believe that a social worker is not a person who does everything for the family, but an organizer, mediator and consultant. The social worker gives knowledge to the family, directs it in the right way, but the family has the goal to achieve it.
Literature:
1. Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, J., Liobikienė, TN., (2012). Skills in social work practice. Development of parenting and children's social skills. "Educational book". Kaunas: VDU.
2. Healy, L.M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent Word. Oxford University Press.
Rita,
DeleteI agree with you on first understand the parents and the environment they are apart of in order to best understand the challenges they might be facing. The topics that you address in your meetings are ones that are relevant to parents around the world and can be extremely powerful. I also think that by focusing on a new topics will allow for lots of discussion amongst the group and hopefully build rapport. Your last statement; "a social worker is not a person who does everything for the family but an organizer, mediator, and consultant" is very dynamic. I see in the U.S. that social workers tend to take on a lot of the stress of being all-knowing, and attempt to be everything to everyone. These are the titles that I believe should reflect our profession the most.
Constantly changing world and fast life rhythm dictates new needs for parents raising children, because what was suitable back in the days, now cannot be suitable for contemporary parents. But one essential thing in parenting has never changed and that is parents care for their child. The values parents try to bring up in their children are different in different countries, because of religion, law, ethnicity or common believes. So, as a social worker, I must take all this in consideration when approaching family issues in different country than mine.
ReplyDeleteVyšniauskytė-Rimkienė and Matulevičiūtė (2016) reveals reflective practice of social workers while working on parenting skills in groups and using the program called “Effective Parenting Skills”. This program is based on some Dutch programs. The elements are adapted for performing parental skill training in Lithuania. And, I suppose, it can be adapted in any different country. All these programs stands for “Positive Parenting” idea which is basically a way of raising your child in a more democratic, positive and supportive approach. I think following such programs and working with parents on learning new coping skills and how to change maladaptive behavior, especially, how to root out violence in relationship.
As well as, “Positive Parenting”, Strength-based therapy would be my choice, when trying to help family. I would say, that the main idea of this therapy is that the person isn’t the problem, but rather the problem is the problem. And because separating the problem from the person gives an opportunity to focus more on internal strengths and less on weaknesses. This kind of positive attitude can help person’s expectations of themselves and others become more reasonable, which empowers each family member to feel capable of changing the situation.
1. Jones-Smith, E. 2014. Strengths-Based Therapy: Connecting Theory, Practice and Skills. Chapter 1. (2014, SAGE Publications).
2. Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė J., Matulevičiūtė D. 2016. Tėvystės įgūdžių lavinimas tėvų grupėse: socialinių darbuotojų patirties refleksija. Socialinis darbas. Patirtis ir metodai 2016, nr. 18 (2)
2. In the modern context, parenthood is described as a process of special activity that takes place in a social context, the main purpose of which is to insure the well-being of children (Liobikienė, 2009). Parents contribute to the development of a child’s life. Research shows that the role of parents in a child's social, psychological and cognitive development is particularly significant (Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, Matulevičiūtė, 2016). Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, Matulevičiūtė (p.81, 2016) points of these goals of positive education: „to promote good parent – child relations; to prevent (serious) problems in raising children; to prevent behavioral problems in children“. If I had to lead a parental support group in a other country, I would choose Russia. I would choose this country because the Russian government doesn’t hold the family primarily responsible for the upbringing and for raising children (Hart, C. H., Nelson, D. A., Robinson, C. C., Olsen, S. F., & McNeilly-Choque, M. K. 1998). I believe that children adopt parental behavior based on learning theory, and parenting is a material aspect. I would work with parents who seek to ensure the best interests of the child, there would be 6-8 participants in the group. The meeting would take place once a week, each time for 3 hours. I would choose such a positive parenting skills development program: 1. Peculiarities of development of children of different ages, typical behavioral problems. 2. Sources of children's fear and anxiety. 3. Positive communication with children and rules for such communication. 4. Management and correction of child behavior. 5. Setting limits on allowed behavior, principles of positive discipline. 6. Developing children's self-confidence. 7. Child aggression: stages of child aggression, response to aggression. 8. Conflicts and their solutions. 9. Recognition and naming of a child's feelings. 10. Positive parenting: generalization (Services for the family). When working with a group of parents I would follow these global social work principles: self-determination, confidentiality, and equality and non- discrimination (Healey 2008). First of all, in order to prevent child trafficking, female genital mutilation and stigmatizing youth based on LGBTQ status the child in the family must be safe. The connection between children and parents needs to be helped so that the child has freedom of choice, values, dignity and knowledge of own rights. Care must be taken to ensure that parents do not discriminate against children because of the choices they make. Maintaining positive parenting can reduce threats such as: child trafficking, female genital mutilation and stigmatizing.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
1. Hart, C. H., Nelson, D. A., Robinson, C. C., Olsen, S. F., & McNeilly-Choque, M. K. (1998). Overt and Relational Aggression in Russian Nursery-School-Age Children: Parenting Style and Marital Linkages. Developmental Psychology, 34(4), 687–697. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.34.4.687
2. Healey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3. Liobikienė, N. T. (2009). Sisteminė pozityvios tėvystės raiškos ir ugdymo perspektyva. Socialinis darbas.
4. Matulevičiūtė, D. & Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, J. (2016). Tėvystės įgūdžių lavinimas tėvų grupėse: socialinių darbuotojų patirties refleksija. Socialinis darbas. https://doi.org/107220202958201825
5. Services for the family. Access through internet: https://www.paslaugosseimai.lt/pozityvios-tevystes-mokymai
Part 1.
ReplyDeleteChildren were always one of the most sensitive clients groups. It requires a special attention and measures while solving social problems which is associated with children. As we know, children under 18 years old are under-age and their parents are responsible for them – have to give their children things to to ensure basic needs and take care of their health. It is said that parents know the best what their children need. Unfortunately, sometimes there are families who requires the intervention from the social worker. This happens because parents are not able to take care of their children in a proper way – they do not have social skills, use violence (physical and psychological) against children. This makes a big harm for child and if there is no help from outside, child suffers a lot. Sadly, sometimes child does not understand that his parents behavior is not right and that he can be treated in a different way. If I were a specialist who leads parents support group, I would like to try to do it in Russia, because having read the article „Overt and relational aggression in Russian nursery-school-age children: parenting style and marital linkages“ made me think about what impact the society and goverment had to families in that time. For example, Hart and Nelson (1998) states that in Soviet society „the government did not consider the family to be primarily responsible for the upbringing of children“. The authors mention that this society had „a collective-centered system of child rearing was developed, in which families were considered to be an organic part of Soviet society“. This idea is very different if we compared Lithuanian and Russian societies nowadays and then. Interesting fact is that we are taught that society and family has the same percentage of the impact for children, so arguing that society is responsible for the upbringing children is not right. We should pay attention to families and work with them a lot if we want that children will not suffer, take the same family model or that the mentality from this idea change. Hart and Nelson (1998) states that „children's aggression in the peer group and its relationship to parenting styles and patterns of marital and family interaction has a relatively long tradition“. So, if there is a opportunity, to change the old rules and inapropriate behavior, it is important to do it, In my opinion, it is very important to talk about raising children on the topics about violence, because very often child experiences different level of physical abuse. Sometimes it is normal for some people and it is said children does not understand in different measures. So, I would like to lead a group for parents on the topics such as the impact of the violence for children.
Part 2.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned, I see that violence is not the right measure to bring up children. Also, it teaches children aggressive behavior, he feels lots of bad feelings which he wants to displace to someone else. While experiencing violence, children learn that behavior and later (when grown up) use in their families and that is like a circle. Also, I would like to touch the topic about building strong relationship between parents and children, how to learn to do common activities, talk with each other in a proper way and how to understand each other. In my opinion, it would help to reduce bad feelings and misunderstanding which leads to conflicts and other bad behavior. However, it is also important to mention the topic to parents about building their own relationship and spending time without children, because children grow up and there is left only two persons who were inlove and wanted to spend the life together. Also, when everything in personal relationship is right, then it is easier to raise children, express your feeling and understand your behavior. Sometimes people displace feelings to the wrong persons and say things they did not want to and so on. While leading the parents support group, I would use global social work principles, such as: self determination, confidentiality, equality, autonomy and freedom, less harm, truthfulness and non discrimination (Healey, Lynn, 2008). These principles also can be used in family relationships. We live in a world which is full of different people, different culture and others things. Parents indeed can find lot of information or measures how to raise children. Learning is important because it helps to react correctly and face challenges. It is important that parents would understand that their children may be different sexual orientation or stigmatized for lots of things. These challenges often leads to crisis, conflicts and sometimes relationships between children and parents just end. So coming back to idea that family has the impact to children, I would like to add that what values family develop first, later it is harder to change them. And society, as we see, sometimes cannot tolerate „different“ people. To sum up, it is important to give children the best experience. It is very wide topic and if I could give some useful information to Russian people, who may still think that upbringing children is not the families responsibility, I would be very happy because sometimes people just need to see all pluses and minus and then the change can happen.
1. Hart, C. H., Nelson, D. A., Robinson, C. C., Olsen, S. F., & McNeilly-Choque, M. K. (1998). Overt and relational aggression in Russian nursery-school-age children: Parenting style and marital linkages. Developmental psychology, 34(4), 687.
2. Healey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
When thinking back to our class material, the role of a global social worker is to promote social development through direct services and participating in international policy-making or planning organizations (PowerPoint). With that, it is important to get familiar with the laws and legislations of the new country you are working in. I would also look into their cultural and religious beliefs because that can be the reason why a support group is necessary. When leading a support group, I have to do an extensive amount of research about the country I am in and inform the clients that I am new but will do my best to provide resources and the care they need.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading a little from Overt and Relational Aggression in Russian Nursery-School-Age Children: Parenting Style and Marital Linkages, they talked about a Russian study that “examines relationships between childhood aggressive subtypes (relational and overt) and parenting styles and marital interactions in an ethnic Russian sample” (Hart & Nelson 687). They mentioned how aggression in children is common when “In the Western psychological literature, psychologically controlling parenting styles have been linked to overcontrolled, internalizing childhood disorders, such as anxiety and depression” (Hart & Nelson 689). If I was working in Russia, knowing this information is crucial because this could be the root of the problem when it comes to the family dynamic and the way a child acts.
Another reason to be educated with your country's beliefs is to know what happens when they are part of the LGBTQ community. For example, they could be shunned or harmed because being different is not a good thing.
In the parenting group, I would emphasize the importance of being supportive to the children. I would acknowledge that the parents may have different beliefs but then show them the effects of what negative support has on LGBTQ peers. Sometimes children look for support from their parents and want to know that they will be loved regardless of who they are. I would also give resources to the parents and tips on positive parenting skills when they do not know what to do. I would also raise awareness that violence is never the answer and does more harm. This would result in the child being scared to be themselves and not trusting their parents when they need help or the ability to talk to someone. Healy mentions how “using knowledge gained from other countries to improve practice and policy in the home country” (Healey). With this, I can use some techniques that America has about supporting LGBTQ and bring it over to the other country so they could expand their acknowledgment and resources. I could print out some of the pamphlets that are used on the planned parenthood website or other resourceful websites to educate the parents on how to support their child. Healey also talks about international practice: “Social workers contribute to international development by working in international development agencies” (Healey). By participating in these agencies in the new country, we can gain a visual understanding and an in-person experience about how agencies help the people in need.
Hart, Craig H., et al. “Overt and Relational Aggression in Russian Nursery-School-Age Children: Parenting Style and Marital Linkages.” Developmental Psychology, vol. 34, no. 4, 1998, pp. 687–697., doi:10.1037/0012-1649.34.4.687.
Healy, Lynne M., and Rebecca Leela Thomas. International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press, 2021.
Being aware of the cultural differences is important as each individual may have different roles in the family dynamic. In leading a parent support group, we need to be respectful of each culture. The principles that Healey describes are Self-determination, confidentiality, equality, and nondiscrimination, (Healey 246). The principles that Healey presents are essential in ensuring effective practice for our clients. Self-determination and the human rights movement go together to give individuals a voice to talk about traumatic events and empower them. When working with a client, having self-determination is important to connect with allies. Furthermore, confidentiality is significant as we want to establish a trusting relationship with the people were working with. Lastly, is the equality and nondiscrimination principle in order to avoid bias when working in a different country.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, social workers want to be mindful that not every client is going to be vocal and open about life experiences. While we may assume someone wants help, that is not always the case. As social workers, we might need to do some digging into their way of life or cultural influences. There are many things at stake from causing conflicts due to misunderstanding or miscommunications.
When providing parental support, I would think about the parenting style used and the attachment with the child. While the United States is majority individualistic, the majority of the world does work collectively. Some cultures embrace family and their community while others look out for themselves only. In fact, child development and family relationships are an essential part of development. Childhood experiences and stressors come into play and shape the baby’s identity. The worse experiences you have, the more likely you are to be more resilient. With some children that are more resilient than others, the stronger they will be in situations growing up. Attachment theory in this case is important as we shall assess how the relationship is between the parents and kids. Having parental support is important especially for individuals development. Parental support will help children that are facing issues due to identity crisis or bullying to avoid long-term negative consequences.
To conclude, attachment theory and culture are the intersecting points that shape us as individuals. As social workers, we need to be familiar with how a client's system works overall. Keeping Healey principles in practice will build healthy relationships with clients. Each client pertains to different groups of people, which shows the need to assess each client individually.
Work Cited
Healy, Lynne M., and Rebecca Leela Thomas. International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press, 2021.
As the number of parental support groups grows, I realize how important it is to provide support, to provide knowledge to parents. After all, being a parent is a special and responsible job, the main goal of which is to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. Given that children spend much of their time with their parents from an early age, it is clear that their relationship is of great importance to their future. If I were to lead a parent support group, the main topics would be self-knowledge, purposeful planning of my free time, setting my priorities, and only then would I move on to the child's developmental peculiarities, fears, boundaries and rules, positive communication, self-confidence, conflicts and their solutions, recognition and expression of feelings. According to Healey (2008), I would have followed the principles of self-determination, confidentiality and equality and non-discrimination when working with a group of parents. I believe that as a parent, the most important thing is to ensure their basic needs, allow children to have freedom of choice, cultivate their values from an early age, maintain their dignity, ensure rights and build positive relationships that help the child grow into a full and responsible personality.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
1. Healey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Parenthood is often described as a difficult and tedious process or special activity that takes place in a defined social context, which the main goal is to ensure the well-being of children (Liobikienė, 2009). Parents contribute to the development of a child’s life. Research shows that the role of parents in a child's social, psychological and cognitive development is particularly significant (Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, Matulevičiūtė, 2016). If I had the opportunity to choose to lead a group of parents in another country, I would choose a country with a similar mindset about parenting as mine. Based on Healey (2008) and her parenting principles I would try to understand their traditions of upbringing, some rules. I would also try to follow principles such as the right to self-determination, the right to participate, the belief in the value and dignity of each person, non-discrimination, freedom. In order to raise a child well from an early age, I would tell parents how I would try to raise a child myself. These would be well from an early age, I would try to explain to children the harm the internet gives, prevent me from watching TV for long, try to engage with it and play as many creative, educational games as possible. I would teach a lot of things about getting to know the world, allow me to do sports. I would also encourage parents to teach their children cooperation rather than competition. It will encourage peaceful, nonviolent behaviour and the assumption that you are part of a community. (Bonta, 1997). I would like to work with parents who seek to ensure the best interests of the child, there would be 5-7 participants in the group. The meeting would take place once a week, each time for 1-2 hours because it can be too difficult for parents to keep a long focus. In particular, in order to prevent child trafficking, female genital mutilation or different attitudes towards LGBTQ status, the child must have freedom of choice in the family, knowing his or her rights and values. He needs to feel needed in the family, able to talk to parents about any issues. Care must be taken to ensure that parents do not discriminate against children on the basis of their choice.
ReplyDelete1. Healy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
2. Liobikienė, N. T. (2009). Sisteminė pozityvios tėvystės raiškos ir ugdymo perspektyva. Socialinis darbas.
3. Matulevičiūtė, D. & Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, J. (2016). Tėvystės įgūdžių lavinimas tėvų grupėse: socialinių darbuotojų patirties refleksija. Socialinis darbas. https://doi.org/107220202958201825.
4. Bonta, B. D. (1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121, 299-320.
The parenting roles are essential as you stated. The meetings work to see which principles work. Also, what is the child being exposed to? There might be other stressors present in their life that might not be directly present. The group meetings are well set up and would give us insight into what we are dealing with. However, some groups of parents might need more time than others to open up. I agree that group meetings would work in this case, but would make sure the parents are comfortable sharing experiences as a group. There are some implications, but overall, the parent support meetings are well structured! I am sure that these group support meetings will establish strong relationships with children and parents.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Zimbardo, if we teach heroism, there is likely to be a good bond. Communicating with children about the injustices and ways we can combat them. Having conversations with kids about heroism can encourage them to speak about injustices going on.
Zimbardo, P. (2007). The Lucifer Effect: How good people turn evil. New York: Random House. Chapter 1: The psychology of evil; Chapter 16: Resisting situational influences and celebrating heroism.
Parenting is one of the hardest and most important jobs anyone can do. Parenting isn’t easy even when your child is well and happy. Parent support groups might be helpfull in supporting parents and parenting knowledge, attitudes, and practices among parents of children with special needs, parents facing special personal and situational adversities, and parents who have in some way been involved with the child welfare system, including those who have a history of or are believed to be at risk for maltreatment and foster parents. Parents suport groups play very important role in preventing and coping with different parenting issues. Parents who find reliable, positive self-care approaches are better able to care for their children. Moreover, they tend to have strong relationships with their kids. Therefore, parenting support groups are a form of self-care that promotes both parents’ and kids’ mental health. If I would lead a group in another country I would try to aply universal global social work principles as self-determination, confidentiality, and equality and nondiscrimination (Healey 246). The principles which are basis in promoting peace in society. From the point of view of the peaceful societies, the major question about their children is how they are raised and educated so that they will adhere to the nonviolent value structures of their communities? and also What psychological structures are in place to ensure the successful adoption of social values? (Bruce D.Bonta, 1997). So building a peacefull society begins in childhood. It depends on parents knowledge and behavior and resources, it depends how our children are brought up what childhood they experienced. Of course we as the social workers, are the ones who could help by providing information, resources and emotional and psichological support. A social worker is the one who will listen to a family’s unique concerns and work on a plan for services and assistance that best fits their situation. So parent support group we would provide Parenting support groups are the part of the very important program in building peace in our world as they are supporting parents and child. Talking about equity and peace I would like to stress the importance of families education about tolerance and noncompetiveness, nonviolence and cooperation. All this education could be done in providing on-going support, like helping in time of crisis, reinforcing positive coping behaviors, help focus anger and use its energy in positive ways, share information, ideas and resources, provide training for parents to increase skills, help in dealing with educational, medical and other service agencies, give an opportunity to relieve loneliness and form new friendships.
ReplyDeleteHealy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
Bonta, B.D.(1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121(2), 299.
Hello Jurga. I really liked your comment. I agree that parenting is one of the hardest and important jobs anyone can do. No one is born with this knowledge so usually people learn to be parents while they are having their children. There are a lot of people who need advice or an example, but they do not have any "good examples" or "right examples" from their family or friends, so the best thing in my opinion is parents support groups. There people learn not only about their children but also about themselves. It is the best to start knowing yourself first and then learn about your kids and family. This job is hard because parents must teach and prepare their children for their own lives. The first example that they see in the family will be the one they will know the best for the rest of their lives, so raising their children parents should seek help from professionals if they have difficulties doing it by themselves. One of the best things in my opinion is that in these groups parents find other parents who have or had the same problems as them and can discuss them, see the real-life examples of overcoming the problems and have more hope and faith in themselves.
Delete2.A lot of countries in this world have traditions that emerged centuries or even thousands of years ago. But not always those traditions and principles are good for the child’s development, so it is very important to teach the parents how to properly raise a child. It is very important to know different types of principles that parents in other countries apply on their children, when they are growing up. It is very important to know what parenting skills the parents have and what religious background, ethnicity they are of. According to Healy, one of the most important social work principles are non-discrimination, confidentiality and equality. Social workers mustn’t discriminate the principles that parents apply on their children, it is better to explain how could those methods be harmful for the child’s emotional and physical development. Moreover, the individual dialogues should also be kept confidential for ethical reasons. And most importantly, it should be explained how parents and children are equal human beings, so the parent can not hurt their child physically or emotionally, if they do not want to be treated this way.
ReplyDeleteIn the first and second group meeting, the parents should tell the stories of their lives. In the third group meeting, parents should explain what emotional trauma they have experienced in their childhood and later on. In the fourth group meeting, parents should tell about what difficulties they faced while their child was a new-born and older. In the fifth group meeting the leader of the group should discuss with every parent individually what can harm their child’s development in their parenting. In the sixth group meeting the leader of the group should discuss the most important principles of parenting and the relationship between a parent and a child. By comprehending their own internal processes, parents can create well-balanced reciprocal relationships (Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, 2019).
Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė, J. (2019). Kaip stiprinti ryšį su savo paaugliu? Žemėlapis tėvams: kaip nepaklysti savo vaikų paauglystės labirintuose. Darnūs namai. Picoline
https://books.google.lt/books?hl=lt&lr=&id=q7ryDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=International+Social+Work:+Professional+Action+in+an+Interdependent+World+&ots=emZ36E7O44&sig=Qxc-4_biDJx83qalqQ4LaQOirr8&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=International%20Social%20Work%3A%20Professional%20Action%20in%20an%20Interdependent%20World&f=false
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alison-Fleming-2/publication/232520514_Psychobiology_of_maternal_behavior_in_human_beings/links/5667623108aef42b57876e62/Psychobiology-of-maternal-behavior-in-human-beings.pdf#page=286
The first major step in leading a parent support group in another country is understanding the cultural values of that country, particularly in regards to parenting. Afterwords, promoting proper attachment and coping mechanisms between parents and child would be the next major priority. According to Healy, attachment styles have profound impact on risk factors developed by children and the coping mechanisms displayed by parents as well as the support systems accessible to the child all contribute to their resiliency (Healy 2008). As these factors contribute to the stable and well-rounded development of a child, these would be the primary topics stressed, as well as encouragement to refrain from violence as the negative consequences are clearly researched. Support and encouragement of the child’s self-esteem would be the ultimate goal of my ideal program, as Healy explains that this promotes a healthy development of self-worth.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Healy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
For the sake of ethical practice, social workers must be incredibly educated, and I would argue, assimilated, into a country that is not theirs. This is because- unless there is at least a basic understanding of the differences between two countries’ ethics, laws, and ideas- it will be both difficult and irresponsible to practice there. Healy writes: “The universalism– relativism debate is highly relevant to social work values and ethics. Much of this value systems debate has taken place over human rights, concerning issues central to social work interest and practice.” (Healy 2001) There are many differences that could be affected by an uneducated global social worker. For example, a social worker from the United States may push for an international woman’s liberation, when really that would cause harm to her and her family. In cases of parent support groups, it is difficult. Where do we draw the line between light education and support versus questioning morals, ethics, and culture, when it comes to the safety of another person? An LGBT child might be somewhat safe here in the US, but would he be safe everywhere? At what point is it appropriate to take more direct action in order to protect a child? Healy writes about how cultural respect is encouraged unless the practice causes significant harm. I believe that having knowledge of, for example, a young LGBT kid being bullied and/or ostracized can significantly affect their mental and physical health, I would be inclined and ethically required to share it in a parent group. However, if the child were being physically harmed because of their sexuality, it would be okay to intervene. I would argue that cultural differences are absolutely okay and encouraged until they become dangerous to someone else. That is how I would handle running a parent support group in another country.
ReplyDeleteHealy, Lynne M.. International Social Work : Professional Action in an Interdependent World, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2001. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/luc/detail.action?docID=430927.
One of the most difficult jobs a person will have in their lifetime is becoming a parent. Countries around the world still rely on old wives tales to assist in child rearing, and have limited access to child development education. Knowing the milestones a child has to achieve at certain ages is key in building a relationship between the child and their parent. If I were to lead a parent support group in a different country I would focus primarily on education in all areas of a child's life and development. Similar to Healey I believe that education can lead to an increase in self-determination, self empowerment and self actualization in both the parent and the child (Healey, 2008). I would also determine the individual needs of each parent and find commonalities amongst the group. This would allow for parents to also find support in each other and hopefully connect outside of the group.
ReplyDeleteHealy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
Healey (246) insists on following principles of self-determination, confidentiality, and equality and nondiscrimination. As an outsider in any given setting it is important not to impose one’s ideas and thoughts about certain issues in contention. Rather its crucial to gather as much information on the cultural and social norms that make society behave a certain way. Criticizing such would only lead to enmity and thus non-engagement which we do not want. Providing a different point of view and new information to encourage a different set of eyes might be enlightening but should be done gently. As a parent I would advocate for some type of framework to resolve potential crash in information, backed with data and life experiences through having intimate conversations with stakeholders while minimizing any threats both socially and culturally. Trusting that with the data provided, the stakeholders will be able to determine their destiny. Imposing them on my beliefs minimizes theirs and they lose trust. Recognizing that the importance lies in the right of choice, so that the outcome of a people's choice should not affect the existence of the right to make a choice. Normalizing having “safe places” where communities can have conversations without fear of ridicule and judgement is a good way of ensuring the conversation longevity. Additionally, it excludes the stigmatization that surrounds tough topics like FGM and women sexuality which would rather not be discussed. I believe such would encourage more victims to speak up on negative practices that should not be existing anymore in the society. Thus a realization that regardless of one’s background, we all are connected by the same feelings of wanting to choose for ourselves
ReplyDeleteHealey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
I would aim to focus on multiculturalism with a perspective that looks into internationalism (Healy 2008). I would hope to create a group that would allow me to interact with parents and provide a support system and build community with them because this would allow active engagement in the program. This will aim to help others embrace differences and allow them to see a positive form of expression rather than forcing an individual who does not identify within societal views. I would strive for an environment that will be a brave space which creates opportunities for ourselves along with others or a community to engage in a space where there is acceptance and healing along with community building. Parents and children would benefit a tremendous amount because this can help create a bond with parents and children that could have an open mind when having a conversation and allowing children to ask questions. I believe that as a social worker it is key to provide safety, equity, and provide wellness for the LGBTQ community. Social workers can help reduce rejection within different situations and I think this program would help alleviate the pressure and rejection that people who are part of the LGBTQ community.
ReplyDeleteHealy, L. M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford University Press.
According to data from the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), 48% of all sexual, aggravated, and simple assaults reported to law enforcement in 2004 were committed by offenders having a domestic relationship with the victim. Howard N. Snyder and Carl McCurley found that females were 67% of the victims of juvenile domestic assault offenders; Half (51%) of juvenile domestic assault offenders victimized a parent and one-quarter (24%) victimized a sibling(2008). Domestic Assaults by juvenile offenders raise a question for parenting, which may play a role of prevention of such phenomenon. Bruce D. Bonta (1997) asserts that competitive behavior does help produce violence in human societies, although they are not necessarily an absolute cause-and-effect relationship. In this regard, to foster cooperation in home seems like a useful method to lessen domestic assault. Classified by relationships, cooperation in family can be divided in to three types: parent(s)-children cooperation, cooperation among children, collective cooperation among the whole family. Since spouse system can also influence children, for example children may learn aggressive behaviour from their parents according to social learning theory, it is also important to encourage non-violent communication between parents. But in here we focus on how to foster the three types of aforementioned cooperation that aim at prevent domestic assaults.
ReplyDeleteFor parent(s)-children cooperation: my parent support group will help parents to learn basic knowledge on parenting styles, learn to use different styles reflectively and flexibly. By doing so it allows parents to accept that children are not necessarily just in their charge and encourage them to initiate cooperation with children rather just impose their commands.
For cooperation among children, the parent support group will help parents identify common goals of their children and regularly let them finish some mutual tasks or play some games that need cooperation with each other.
For collective cooperation among the whole family, the parent support group will emphasize the function of collective cooperation that may help family to foster more intimate relationships and also friendly atmosphere. Interdependence among families tend to make a balance of relationships that undermine the possibility of domestic violence. We encourage parents to give out some task like housework or other activities to the whole family but not doing them by their own only.
By fostering these types of cooperation that increasing positive interactions with the family, we hope to build the foundation of non-violent culture step by step in many families, which still act as important and basic social unit.
References:
1.HN Snyder, C McCurley. Domestic assaults by juvenile offenders, rhyclearinghouse.acf.hhs.gov. 2008
2.Bonta, B.D.(1997). Cooperation and competition in peaceful societies. Psychological Bulletin, 121(2), 299.
Starting a parent support group in a country different than mine would be challenging, but not unmanageable. Healy’s reading explains the similarities and differences in the world of social work, and I think that would help me out. Healy’s Global social work principles are helpful because he describes how in all countries social work areas of commonality and differences are: Breadth and Variety of Roles and Settings for Practice, Social Change, Social Problems and Interventions, Shared Values, and Theoretical Underpinnings (Healy 229-231). I would also keep in mind the core values of social work that are applicable to any country: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the whole person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. I think that as a social worker it is important to keep in mind that everyone has different customs, norms, and beliefs. Respecting those customs, norms, and beliefs is important even if you might not agree with them. Educating myself on said country is the first step because it is your job to become familiar with the people and their country to not come off clueless about certain social issues they might have. A class reading explains how negative parenting can lead to aggression “is generally defined as behavior enacted with the intent to hurt or harm others” (Hart 1). Hart’s study shows that children acquire overt and relational aggression because of negative family interactions. I would bring up this study because the absence of positive parenting leads to childhood behavior problems that might be directed to their peers. Avoiding practices such as child trafficking, female genital mutilation and stigmatizing youth on LGBTQ status is also important to talk about because these practices are going against people’s human rights. These “practices” are inhuman and these issues should not be respected as a custom, norm, or belief. Child trafficking and female genital mutilation is still happening in some countries and people that allow for it to happen should be punished. Stigmatizing youth on LGBTQ status also goes against people’s human rights. Some people might not agree with it because of their beliefs, but to kill or ridicule people for it is disgraceful.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
Hart, Craig H.; Nelson, David A.; Robinson, Clyde C.; Olsen, Susanne Frost; McNeilly-Choque, Mary Kay (1998). Overt and Relational Aggression in Russian Nursery-School-Age Children: Parenting Style and Marital Linkages. Developmental Psychology, 34(4), 687–697.
Healey, Lynn M. (2008). International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.