This week we started a new text book. We read Chapter 1 in "Foundations of Social Policy" by Amanda Smith Barusch, 4th edition. This week I learned:
1.) Social justice is important in "macro" as well as in "micro" practices of social work. When assessing a client's pain it is important to look at it at a personal, political, and at an economic level. One must always look at the whole big picture not just at the personal level. A support group may help the person achieve their own personal justice. As a Social Worker one should learn about different support groups or programs in the area.
2.) Since I enjoy learning about people and their life story. I enjoyed learning about Berhta Capen Reynolds. Bertha promoted social justice and community development. She was one of the first professionally trained social workers. 'Bertha Reynolds saw social justice as the hallmark of the profession and argued that social work techniques are authentic only to the extent that they serve this mission' (Barusch, 2012).
3.) I learned about the different approaches of Social Justice (Oligarchy, Libertarianism, Liberalism, and Socialism). Even though these philosophical approaches pertain more to labels of ideas than people they are still useful in the practice of social work. As the book states in Chapter 1 on page 16, states that it is important to have the ability to communicate and argue without polarizing, rejecting, or demonizing those of divergent views.
This week's reading presented many items to think about and keep in mind when practicing in the social work field.