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

2. Discussion
Social class influences

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

4. The Social Work Environment
Political
Social
Economic
Cultural
Religious

5. 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 ; 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Challenges and Opportunities
Political Environment
Economic Environment
Social Environment

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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