Preface In the preface of The Self-Awareness Workbook for Social Workers by Juliet Rothman, we find that in the social work field one encounters a very diverse community of individuals in terms of ethnicity, race, religion, mental ability, and so on. There are three main areas of study a social worker must be proficient in to provide effective guidance for their clients- a strong knowledge base, a range of professional skills, and self-awareness. To accurately use the knowledge base taught in school, the social worker must keep in mind the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of their clients (Rothman, 1999, p. xiii). This awareness of cultural differences very much depends on the location of the school or practice location. For example, a social
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Vulnerable populations are groups of people that have a higher risk of harm due to disability or impendent (Rothman, 1999, p.35). Some of these vulnerable populations include, but are not limited to, the elderly, children, chronically mentally ill, and physically disabled. When working with these groups, one must keep in mind the negative experiences they may have towards people in social institutions (Rothman, 1999, p.36). Oppressed populations are groups that experience oppression, or discrimination, due to not being part of the dominant group of a society. Some examples of this basis of oppression are age, race, social class, religion, appearance, and disabilities (Rothman, 1999, p.39). Social workers must be competent and knowledgeable in how different populations are seen in society and how their role in society affects …show more content…
Self-identity is how you see yourself related to the universe. It can change due to the passing of time or new experiences, but the principles behind it stay the same (Rothman, 1999, p.71). You have personal beliefs and values that create our “ideal” selves that are what we aspire to be. In reality, we have our “real” selves that are how we actually act. There is a spectrum on selves and at some points, it may overlap (Rothman, 1999, p.72). Your worldview, or how you see yourself in relation to the world, is determined by multiple aspects: time orientation, place orientation, locus of control, the value of nature, age orientation, gender, etc. Each of these aspects helps us hone in on our core self-identity (Rothman, 1999, pp.73-75). Additionally, we are sometimes defined by our interests and abilities. Some instances you can combine these two items with employment, but it is good to have a wide range of interests and abilities to be a more well-rounded social worker (Rothman, 1999, p.75). On the same note, our own self-esteem is very important to our self-identity. We tend to, first, see our bad characteristics followed by our mental ability, labels we are ascribed, personality, and spiritual life (Rothman, 1999, p.76). Some identities we possess are given to us with little or no choice. These include gender, sexual orientation, handicaps, and refugee or immigration
Vulnerable populations are groups of people that have a higher risk of harm due to disability or impendent (Rothman, 1999, p.35). Some of these vulnerable populations include, but are not limited to, the elderly, children, chronically mentally ill, and physically disabled. When working with these groups, one must keep in mind the negative experiences they may have towards people in social institutions (Rothman, 1999, p.36). Oppressed populations are groups that experience oppression, or discrimination, due to not being part of the dominant group of a society. Some examples of this basis of oppression are age, race, social class, religion, appearance, and disabilities (Rothman, 1999, p.39). Social workers must be competent and knowledgeable in how different populations are seen in society and how their role in society affects …show more content…
Self-identity is how you see yourself related to the universe. It can change due to the passing of time or new experiences, but the principles behind it stay the same (Rothman, 1999, p.71). You have personal beliefs and values that create our “ideal” selves that are what we aspire to be. In reality, we have our “real” selves that are how we actually act. There is a spectrum on selves and at some points, it may overlap (Rothman, 1999, p.72). Your worldview, or how you see yourself in relation to the world, is determined by multiple aspects: time orientation, place orientation, locus of control, the value of nature, age orientation, gender, etc. Each of these aspects helps us hone in on our core self-identity (Rothman, 1999, pp.73-75). Additionally, we are sometimes defined by our interests and abilities. Some instances you can combine these two items with employment, but it is good to have a wide range of interests and abilities to be a more well-rounded social worker (Rothman, 1999, p.75). On the same note, our own self-esteem is very important to our self-identity. We tend to, first, see our bad characteristics followed by our mental ability, labels we are ascribed, personality, and spiritual life (Rothman, 1999, p.76). Some identities we possess are given to us with little or no choice. These include gender, sexual orientation, handicaps, and refugee or immigration