ABS 200, Week 2, Discussion 1
Discuss Empowerment and Empowerment Theory, The Strengths Perspective, and Resiliency and why this focus is a vital concept in the Generalist Practice.
Empowerment allows individuals with valuable options in gaining control over their lives, addressing the impact of inequalities, oppression, and discrimination. “It is the process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or political power so that individuals can take action to improve their life situations” (Kirst-Ashman, 2011). It allows one to solve their own problems.
The Strength Perspective “provides structure and content as it assesses attainable goals, mobilizes resources to promote change and self-esteem, and instills hope in the future” (Marisca, 2013). It allows an individual to learn from their own behaviors (strengths) and develop to their full potential by focusing on their strengths rather than the problem.
Resiliency allows an individual to recover after dealing with a setback. It allows the client to face the situation and overcome it.
By focusing on these concepts, goals are set to “increase self-efficacy, develop group consciousness, reduce self-blame, and assume personal responsibility for change” (Cox, 2001). When working with diverse groups, all biases are set aside and allows each individual to learn about themselves, each group or individual is different. Social workers who are committed to these perspectives need to “explore their attitudes, beliefs, biases, and their own selves in order to generate a shift in the way they perceive themselves, their clients, and their relationship with them” (Marisca, 2013). Using your strengths in life situations will assist one in overcoming the challenges of life.
References
Cox, L. (2001). BSW Students Favor Strengths/Empowerment-Based Generalist Practice. Retrieved from: http://www.eslarp.uiuc.edu/courses/FAA391_Spring09/Cox.%20BSW%20Students%20Favor%20Strengths--Support%20for%20empowerment%20based%20social%20work%20practice.pdf
Kirst-Ashman, K. (2011). Human Behavior in the Macro Social Environment. An Empowering Approach to Understanding Communities, Organizations, and Groups. 3rd Edition.
Marisca, S. (2013). The Strengths Perspective and Resiliency. Retrieved from:
http://www.socwel.ku.edu/Strengths