The Roles of the Human Service Work in the Macro-Environment - Term Paper Example

MACRO SYSTEMS Macro systems The concept of personal, interpersonal, arms political empowerment When the term macro systems is looked into in terms of communities and organization one thing that always crosses the minds of people are communities and organizations are communities and organizations customs, cultural values, and laws. Macro system can be used in reference to the general ideologies that define a given society or organization. Micro systems are always very useful in describing the social and cultural aspects of various communities or organizations. This paper aims at examining human services interactions in terms of macro systems communities and organizations. For one to understand human services interactions in terms of macro systems communities and organizations there should be an initial understanding of the concept of personal, interpersonal, and political empowerment. Personal empowerment can be referred to as an individual’s ability to have an effect on events and the people in their environment. Personal empowerment is usually enhanced with an individual’s ability to comprehend their current position and exactly where they are headed to (Van, Keefe &Besthorn, 2007). Personal empowerment is also characterized by an individual’s flexibility and their ability to change in accordance to their environment. Interpersonal empowerment is always used with reference to an individual’s ability to work collaboratively with other people to effectively implement plans that are put in place for them to implement. This is always characterized by the existence of interpersonal skills. A person who is interpersonally empowered can, therefore, be said to be someone who can effectively function as part of a team. Political empowerment occurs when the government offers help to communities and institution with the aim of making their lives less challenging. It also occurs when the government allows communities and organizations to have political participation in political issues that have either direct or indirect influence on their existence (Kirst-Ashman, 2008). Politicalempowerment enables the public to make sure that they are able to influence political decision making in the best way possible. Involvement in multiple social systems-micro, mezzo, and macro An individual can always involve themselves in multiple systems at a working environment. These systems include: micro, mezzo, and macro systems. At the micro level and individual usually focuses on having personal interactions with their clients individually or with a family member or spouse. Interventions at this level can include an individual interacting with the client in a number of occasions. This level is usually preferredfor individuals with specific problems (Kirst-Ashman, 2011). Micro social work is the most common form of social work. Mezzo social work usually refers to social work practice that involves small and medium sized groups. This can be learning institutions or even small neighborhoods. Social workers who are always in this involved in this form of social work are also always involved in the other forms of social work. This is always done with the aim of making sure that the individual problems of the group members are well taken care of as they try to meet the needs of the group. In most cases it is always found out that some of the members of these groups have unique needs that cannot be taken care of by what is recommended for the group (Wodarski&Dziegielewski, 2002). Macro social practice involves focusing on systematic things. It in most cases involves the creation and maintenance of networks of service providers with the aim of establishing a continuum of care. This form of social practice is what distinguish social work from other forms of aid giving professions because of its ability to give empowerment to individuals by making sure that they are involved them in systemic change. The macro systems to child maltreatment, sexual abuse, crime, and delinquency Macro systems can have a number of influences on to child maltreatment, sexual abuse, crime, and delinquency. Child mistreatment is viewed differently under different cultures. Some culture views it as a serious offence while others do not. When dealing with a mistreated child through macro practices the cultures and the rules of the society that the child comes from usually affect the manner in which a social worker will handle this particular client. The same would apply to sexual abuse apart from the fact that most communities will never condone such behavior. The other problem might be the fact that other communities never see sexual abuse that take place in acreage as an offence. There is also a variance in the seriousness in which these crimes are handled in different cultures. Functionalism and interactionist theory to poverty According to functionalism theory poverty can live to the availability of job opportunities because there are people who specialize in professions that require them to provide services to people living in poverty. This mean that without povertyindividuals who help people living in poverty will be jobless. Poverty is also seen as a consolation for the people who live in the middle and upper class whenever they happen they happen to be going through hard times. This make them to feel that whatever they are going through cannot be as bad as what people living in poverty are going through. Poverty can also act as a motivator for hard work. This is because people will always do their best to make sure that they avoid poverty by working hard. Interactionist theory suggests that there is a close relation between poverty and education. People who have acquired certain levels of education have been observed to have higher probabilities of being able to escape poverty. The theory further implies that poverty has some relation to the ability of people to work together. In communities and organizations where people work together they find it easier to get away from poverty. This is mostly attributed to their ability to complement each other in both their strengths and weakness. The opposite is seen in communities and organizations with a more individualized approachtowards fighting poverty. Role and responsibilities of the human serviceworkers in the macro environment There are a number of roles and responsibilities of the human servicework in the macro environment. One of these roles is case management. This refers to linking service consumers to programs and agencies that will be able to fulfill their psychology needs. They can also be able to provide psychotherapy and counseling services to the society which helps the society in overcoming their psychological problems. Apart from these roles they also offer human services management making sure that they are done in a manner that will make them of use to the society. Social workers also analyses social welfare policies. This is in the aim of making sure that these policies work for the best of the society and are of the best interest of every individual in the society. Social should also participate in practice and policy development. They have the skills that might be needed during these processes. They should also be involved in community development services and activities. Social workers have the responsibility of educating the public on matters relating to community and social development. They should also be actively involved in the advocacy for social inequalities and the full adherence to social policies that are put in place to make sure that communities exist harmoniously together. Social workers are also often involved in political and social researches that are carried out to find ways through which communities and organizations can exist together. Their involvement in such research makes sure that their skills and experience are used for the good of the society. References Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2008). Human behavior, communities, organizations, and groups in the macro social environment. Belmont, Calif: Thomson/Brooks/Cole. Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2011). Human behavior in the macro social environment: An empowerment approach to understanding communities, organizations, and groups. Australia: Brooks/Cole. Van, W. K. S., Keefe, T., &Besthorn, F. H. (2007).Human behavior and the social environment, macro level: Groups, communities, and organizations. New York: Oxford University Press. Wodarski, J. S., &Dziegielewski, S. F. (2002).Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Integrating Theory and Evidence-Based Practice. New York: Springer Pub. Co. Read More