Social group work is a very positive and optimistic way of working with people. It is truly empowering and affirming of people’s strengths. In fact, the very act of forming a group is a statement of belief in people’s strengths and in the contribution that each person can make in the others’ lives. Magical things happen within groups. Ask any experienced group worker, and he or she will have numerous stories about how groups have changed the lives of his or her clients. Indeed, research has demonstrated group work to be effective with many types of problems, including substance abuse, compulsive disorders, mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder. In times of scarce resources, group work may be a particularly important approach, as workers can effectively serve many clients at the same time. By using groups, social workers can often negotiate the frequent tension between cost containment and service provision. Work with various populations is central to the mission of the profession of social work. Group work is one of the most important methods of culturally sensitive practice. Some of the various populations with which groups have been effectively used are older adults, veterans, and the marginalised. Groups are an important approach for work with many at-risk and vulnerable populations and have been shown to be useful in both long-term and short-term treatment.
Value Base of Social Group Work
The value base is significant in a profession that deals with human beings. Values are beliefs that influence preferences on how one ought or ought not to behave. A value base determines the approach adopted by a group. Values also influence the methods used in a group. There are three value systems that play a role: the contextual values or the value of the society, the values of the clients or the agency sponsoring the group and the values of the group worker.
The contextual values can be equality of both sexes and democratic participation influence group interaction. Agencies sponsoring group work also have their own values that prevail on the workers and the leaders. Another source of values is the profession. The worker works within the professional values such as maintaining a non-judgmental attitude and affirming the interdependence of the individual and society.
Group members also have their own set of values which are influenced by race, culture and ethnicity. The personal value systems of the worker also influence his way of working with groups.
Besides, there are certain values common to group work practice. The values according to Kanopka are:
(a) Positive relations among people of different backgrounds.
(b) Cooperation and mutual decision among the members in a group.
(c) Individual initiative in the group.
(d) Freedom to participate and the right to be involved in the decision making process of the group.
(e) High individualization to address the concerns of each member.
Subcribe on Youtube - IGNOU SERVICE
For PDF copy of Solved Assignment
WhatsApp Us - 9113311883(Paid)
0 Comments
Please do not enter any Spam link in the comment box