The Benefits of Social Work Clubs Essay example

When developing a group the norms of the group can ultimately determine the therapeutic outcome for the group (Yalom, 2005). Norms are formed by the leader’s behavior and the group’s expectations (Yalom, 2005). The norms are the standard social behavior for the group. This would include acceptable behavior and typical conduct of the group members.

When working in a field of expertise the experts in that area need to know what defines that field. Social work, with its roots over a hundred years old, started out simply offering assistance to others, has grown and changed, and is currently reconnecting with its roots (Bisman, 2004). Bisman (2004) emphasizes the importance of being an advocate of justice and keeping the field focused on the “social” part of social work. This push to keep social work focused on the needs of others defines social work today. Social work focuses on providing aide to the needy and increasing awareness of those that are oppressed.

Norms are behaviors or rules that set forth what is expected of us as people and as a society.

Social workers play a crucial role in many professional realms. With the focus on social workers in educational settings, I interviewed Erika Bougdanos who is a Dean of Students at Niles North High School, located in north suburban Skokie, Illinois. Bougdanos has been working at Niles North for over ten years as a Dean and holds her MSW degree and Type 75 certification (Illinois Administrative Certificate). Bougdanos mentioned that although the high school is highly ethnically diverse, the majority of the student population is White. While Bougdanos interacts with many students throughout her work week, she mentioned that the students she primarily sees in her office are those from low-income or minority backgrounds.

This section of the paper will discuss the definition of social work, values associated with social work and arguments for and against the use of systems theory in social work practice. Social work can be described as a field of study that encompasses individuals and their environment. Social work can be defined as work trained professionals do to elevate stressors of individuals so they may become more self-sufficient and empowered to live to their fullest potential.

There are other theories that build on Merton’s work, but they focus on the position of groups in the social structure rather than just on individuals, and how these groups adapt in different ways to the strain facing them in achieving social goals.

The theoretical model of group development has changes that involves forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. At the forming stage, the girls were able to the social worker, they learned about each other, and learned about the purpose of the group sessions. They understood the reasons for being there. During the storming or transition stage, the girls challenged each other physically, verbally, and mentally. They communicated aggressively, but they were very respectful to the social workers and other leaders. During the norming stage, the conflicts between the girls were less intense, and they were able to understand that there were other ways to communicate with one another besides

This essay will discuss social divisions; social exclusion and social inclusion, of which there are many definitions and interpretations. Social divisions and Social exclusion has been around for many years. Social exclusion was first noticed in France in 1970s in relation to people who fell outside the range of the social insurance system, such as disabled people, lone parents and the young unemployed (Townsend and Kennedy, 2004). Before 1997 Social exclusion was referred to as ‘poverty’, which means where people lack many of the opportunities that are available to the average person (Palmer; 2010). However for the purpose of this assignment, it will focus on homelessness as a social division, the relationship between exclusion and

(See chapter 9 of your text.) Define the role and give specific examples of each role you and others participated in. Specifically name at least 4 dysfunctional roles. Remember that more than one person may have fulfilled the role – give specific examples.

Zastrow, Charles H. (2015). Social work with groups: A comprehensive worktext (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Delmar Cengage Learning.

Group work has been a cornerstone of the social work profession and requires a variety of facilitator skills and awareness of group processes. The SSLDTM Group Program for People with Difficulties in Social Situations (Socialwork1914, 2017) provides an excellent example of a psycho-educational group co-facilitated by two female social workers, Jane and Karen. After viewing the 6th session of this 8-week program, I began to understand how the concepts of group formation/development, interpersonal dynamics, and leadership styles contribute to successful group work outcomes.

In today’s time, social work practitioners work with and within various organizations and communities often and the need for a small group or team is essential. These small groups are formed together to accomplish work by increasing awareness and skill within the participation of each member and leader. Some tasks that cause for a group to be drawn are some form of an instruction, an opportunity or a perceived concern. In the social work aspect, this group can affect broader changes for a client.

This theory is a combined of two influential theories on group behavior, which Kenneth Benne and Paul Sheats have wrote in article of ‘’Functional Roles of Group Members’’ in 1940. This theory worked in some teams that are effective in some but for some it isn’t. Their work influenced other earlier research and thinking about the function of group. The have researched more recently and have refined many ideas. Group roles are extremely useful and interesting in the way of looking at the behavior of the team. 26 different group role have been defined which can be played by one or more people within a group depends on that person’s skill.

Today there is a great need for social service organizations. The population of a lot of cities and countries has grown, creating the need for more shelters, soup kitchens, and so on. Most of these organizations are church based and community founded. Then there are others that are funded by federal and state government.

The use of therapeutic groups within the mental health field emerged in the early 20th century. The prevalent psychoanalytical theory at the time fixated on the internal world of the individual to explain mental ill health. Alfred Adler challenged this position with his belief that individuals do not exist in isolation and that their family and loved ones should be included in therapeutic interventions. Social psychologists such as Kurt Lewin pioneered the idea that individuals are profoundly influenced by their environment. The language of “group work” and “group psychotherapy” was first coined by Jacob Moreno in his work with prison populations (Ryrie and Norman 2013).