Chapter Four The Social Work Environment Social Work & Social Welfare: An Invitation (3rd ed.)

Discussion Social class influences

Key ideas Changing profile of America Oppression and discrimination Challenges and opportunities Political environment Economic environment Social environment

The Social Work Environment Political Social Economic Cultural Religious

Changing Profile of America Race and Ethnicity Diversity Age Under 17 and over 65 Income Inequality High poverty rate Gender Race/ethnicity, income, age Religious Affiliations Shifting away from mainline organizations The U.S. population is expected to experience major changes: Racial and ethnic diversity is increasing Due to demographic patterns and advances in technology, the age of the population is increasing Income inequality is increasing, and the “wealth gap” between men and women is also growing Religious affiliation is changing; membership in mainline Christian organizations is decreasing, while membership in non-Christian religions is increasing The population is growing, but growth is slowing RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY The U.S. population is steadily increasing in racial and ethnic diversity Older adults are becoming more diverse because people of color are living longer The population includes an increasing number of people whose native language is not English Immigration numbers will rise to 2 million in 2050; these numbers to not reflect refugees or undocumented immigrants Social workers must better develop cultural competency to deal with these changes AGING POPULATION The median U.S. age is expected to increase to 38.1 years by 2050 (from 32.9 in 1990) People of color make up a larger proportion of children; whites make up more older adults By 2030, more than 40 percent of the population will be under age 17 (21%) or over age 65 (22%) Because these are some of the most vulnerable populations, social work competence will become increasingly important for them Older women are more likely to attain higher ages than men, live alone, have lower incomes, and be responsible for caregiving INCOME INEQUALITY U.S. Poverty is now at the highest rate in the 52 years since data began to be tracked The bottom 90% of the population experienced a four percent decrease in income from 2002-2008; the top 1% enjoyed a 30% increase Women and female-headed households are experiencing disparate and steadily-increasing poverty RELIGIOUS CHANGE Membership is decreasing among mainline religious organizations, but increasing by one-third for non-Christian groups and nondenominational churches (now the third largest U.S. religious group) Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism have all experienced large increases Immigration from the Middle East and Asia have partially fueled this change Religious information should be integrated into assessments Clients’ religious involvement can be a source of social and emotional support

Population Trends: 2050 U.S. Population: 439 million 54% persons of color 62% children of color 88.5 million Americans 65 or older 19 million 85 or older

Social Work Competencies Race Age Poverty Religion Understanding diverse racial and ethnic groups and their languages and cultures Understanding the needs of older adults and their families and caregivers Understanding the impact of religious and spiritual beliefs on behavior Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of political, economic, and social issues Advocating for social and economic justice Self-awareness

Oppression and Discrimination Actions or beliefs of individuals, groups, or institutions are controlled or repressed by other groups within a society Behavior that results from possessing a bias toward an individual or group based on certain characteristics Oppression occurs when the actions of a group are controlled or repressed by another group Oppression can be formal and overt or informal and covert Discrimination is behavior that results from a bias toward a particular group Four commonalities can be found in instances of oppression: Those perceived to be “normal” have power, and those who are “different” are viewed as inferior Violence or the threat of violence is present The oppression is institutionalized Oppression becomes part of the fabric of the oppressing group

Cycle of Oppression Social Work Practice and Advocacy Learned bias and stereotypes about those in other groups. Socialized to follow rules. Bias is reinforced by those we trust. Internalized societal values. Internalized oppression. Social Work Practice and Advocacy Everyone is born into a social group and takes in stereotypes, bias, and misinformation about others. We are socialized to follow certain rules about how to think and behave. Misinformation is reinforced by those we love and trust. Socialization becomes internalized as we come to accept societal values. Oppressed people begin to believe what the dominant group believes about them. Social workers play an active role in working to eliminate social injustices that arise from oppression and discrimination: Help vulnerable groups organize Advocated for change in the legislative arena

Challenges and Opportunities Political Environment Economic Environment Social Environment

Sharing Newspaper examples of economic, political, and social issues social workers might address

Political Environment Challenges Opportunities Funding/resources Differences in state administration Lobbying SWs in political office Advocacy Challenges Funding/resources Inequities in ways that individual states administer programs Opportunities Lobbying SWs in political office Advocacy/macro practice

Economic Environment Economic turbulence Economic justice Challenges Opportunities Economic turbulence Gender bias in employment Emphasis on cost effectiveness Economic justice Multicultural public welfare policies Challenges Economic turbulence Gender and racial differences in employment Downsizing Emphasis on cost effectiveness Opportunities Knowledge of economics Economic justice Multicultural public welfare policies New practice methods

Social Environment US population growth and changes Challenges Opportunities US population growth and changes Increased health care needs Diversifying makeup of profession Ethnically sensitive programs Challenges US population growth and changes Increased health care needs – decreased resources Decreased social relationships Opportunities Diversifying makeup of profession Expanded socioeconomic opportunities Thinking globally Ethnically sensitive programs

Exercises The Sanchez and Lee families: economic, political, and social issues Hector Sanchez may be laid off from his job…