Feminist Theory

As a profession, social work is committed to the uniqueness of every individual, within his or her social situation. Feminist theory takes into account the role of gender and the historical lack of power experienced by women in society.

Feminism and social work share a commitment to the unique nature and essential dignity of all people.

Feminist social workers emphasize the collaborative relationship between the social worker and the client and place an emphasis on equality and empowerment of women in society.

This week, you compare how various feminist theories inform social work practice, and you apply feminist theories to a family video case study.

You also analyze your personal understanding of the influences that feminist theories have on women's roles in society and examine the relationships between feminist theory and social work practice.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Compare how feminist theories inform social work practice

• Apply social work skills related to feminist theories in social work case study

• Analyze personal understanding of the influences feminist theories have on women's roles in society

• Apply social work skills related to feminist theory and social work practice in a social work case study

Theories of Culture

The idea of adapting to new cultures is not an easy process in most societies. In fact, there are many historical examples of culture clashes that have led to violence or discrimination, both for those who chose to settle in a new land and for those who found their land inhabited by newcomers. For more than a century, the profession of social work has grown, evolved, and adapted to address the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Social workers continue to emphasize the importance of acknowledging and honoring their client's culture.

How might understanding theories of culture assist social workers in their work with clients?

This week, you analyze the relevance of racial and ethnic identities in social work practice and how theories of culture might also be an influence. You also analyze strategies for addressing bicultural socialization needs in social work practice.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Apply social work skills related to the dual perspective model in a social work case study

• Analyze relevance of racial and ethnic identities in a social work case study

• Analyze cultural perception in a social work case study

• Analyze intergroup competence in a social work case study

• Apply social work skills related to bicultural socialization in social work practice

• Analyze the role of cultural adaptation in the development of bicultural identity

• Analyze the development of cultural adaptation

• Analyze influences of cultural adaptation on social work practice

• Analyze influences of integrative theories on social work practice

• Analyze congruence between integrative theories and social work ethics and values

Discussion Title: Cultural Perceptions, Intergroup Competence and the Dual Perspective Model

Cultural identities, such as race and ethnicity, religious persuasion, sexual orientation, and ability, and the cultural perception of these identities often influence individuals' interactions with others in society. When cultures differ, bicultural socialization represents an individual's ability to integrate positive aspects of his or her culture with the prevailing societal culture.

Think back to the systems theories you examined earlier in the course. How might these identities affect an individual's interactions within the family or immediate community system, or what the dual perspective model refers to as the nurturing system?

Would these identities affect an individual's interactions within the larger social system that includes commercial, political, economic, and educational subsystems or what the dual perspective model refers to as the sustaining system? The answers to these questions exist in your ability to understand your clients' experiences and your understanding of the interconnection that exists among your client's cultural identities, otherwise referred to as level of intergroup competence.

For this Discussion, review this week's resources, including the Petrakis Family video case. Consider the cultural influences depicted in the video and how Helen and the intern's ethnic and racial identities might be relevant to their interaction. Then, think about any video evidence of the intern's perception of Helen's culture and how it might compare to the intern's level of intergroup competence. Finally, reflect on how the intern might apply the dual perspective model in the intern's approach to Helen.

Assignment Title: Modes of Cultural Adaptation and Social Work Practice

How do you adapt to a new society? Is it a matter of completely adapting to the cultural practices of the new society at the expense of your own culture?

Or do you remain steadfast in your personal culture to the detriment of your social experience in that new society? Maybe, you attempt to find a balance by developing a bicultural identity that respects both your personal culture and that of your new society.

What might be the impact for clients and the new society with each of these options? How do you, as a social worker, help your clients with the cultural adaptation process without losing their personal cultural identity and without disrespecting the culture of the new society?

For this assignment, consider the role that cultural adaptation plays in the development of bicultural identity. Then, think about how family systems, peer groups, communities, organizations, and institutions influence the development of different modes of cultural adaptation (traditional, marginal, assimilation, and bicultural) and why these influences might be important to social work practice.

Assignment Title: Modes of Cultural Adaptation and Social Work Practice

3. Assignment (4- to 6-page, APA-formatpaper):

Your paper should include:

• An explanation of the role cultural adaptation has in the development of bicultural identity

• An explanation of how family, peer groups, communities, organizations, and institutions influence the development of different modes of cultural adaptation (traditional, marginal, assimilation, and bicultural)

• An explanation of why these influences of cultural adaptation might be important to social work practice

Support your Assignment with specific references to this week's resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.