Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Gender Language Socialization On Women In Leadership, Evelyn G. Nelson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Gender language socialization is pervasive. Men and women are affected by gender language socialization. Women are being kept from leadership positions through gender language barriers. Both would benefit from having leadership roles more equally shared, honoring diverse styles of leadership, and acknowledging differences. My research design is evaluative. My study is qualitative. My criteria for determining causation is whether the dependent variables (women in leadership) are affected by the independent variable (gender role socialization). For this study, the results of the dependent variable are skewed by each culture studied. Thus, future studies need to know each cross-culture's perspective, but in …

Single Parent Fathers With Custody Of Their Children, Gerald W. Dungan

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is a study of a selected group of single parent fathers living in Central Minnesota and having sole custody of their children. This family form is on the increase accounting for 13% to 21 % of the single parent headed households in the United States. More men are seeking custody and more women are losing custody or agreeing to paternal custody due in part to changes in gender role expectations an emerging view of fatherhood and economic constraints. This parental role shift has also been influenced by the women's movements generating more live style options, the rising number of …

Modification And Implementation Of A Chemical Awareness Program For Parents Of Elementary School Children, Suzanne C. Tuttle

Theses and Graduate Projects

A literature review is presented that confirms the author's position that parents can play an important and active role in preventing chemical abuse in their children. The author reviews and discusses three currently available chemical awareness programs for parents' "FAST," "Roots and Wings," and "Charlie for Grown-ups." A survey was conducted with parents of children from Northstar Elementary School in North Minneapolis to find out their views on chemical awareness and what they would like in a program. The results of the survey are consistent with the literature in that good parenting, good communication between parents and children, and children's …

The Coordination Status Of The Children's Mental Health Services In Minnesota, Carrie S. Johnson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of the present study is to describe what services children with severe emotional disturbance (SED) have received before acute care hospitalization. According to the Minnesota children's Mental Health Act of 1989, children should be receiving a comprehensive set of services. This means that the children's mental health system is to be integrated and coordinated with all child-serving systems at the state, local and individual levels . This study examines the following three research questions: a) Is coordination of services being provided across disciplines?, b) Are children receiving case-management services?, and c) Are children receiving services in the least …

Evaluation Of School Social Worker Tasks And Activities, Patti A. Hartwig

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to ascertain school social workers’ perception of how frequent they provide the activities of the school social workers job description. It was hypothesized that if school social worker is in one school building 100% of the time, they are able to provide all of the services required in the job description. Thirteen schools social workers indicated how frequent they provide services by percentage of time spent on each task. Overall, school social workers provided indirect social work services such as consultation with school personnel and crisis intervention. Those assigned to one building more individual …

Open Adoption: Its Impact On Grief And Loss Issues For Birthmothers, Theresa A. Skretvedt

Theses and Graduate Projects

The qualitative study explores the impact of openness in the adoption experience has on grief and loss issues for four birthmothers who voluntarily relinquished their infants. Stage and paradoxical phenomena of grief and loss comparable to parental loss of child through death are addressed through three stages of the adoption experience: during pregnancy, during delivery and relinquishment and post-relinquishment. Theoretical framework around attachment, the learned helplessness model of depression and self-determination as a client-centered outcome in social work practice enhance the understanding of some of the special grief issues related to loss through adoption. Discussion focuses on how openness in …

Optional Motherhood: A Description Of Psycho-Social Issues Within The Lesbian Parenting Process, Julie A. Nohner

Theses and Graduate Projects

The study explored the psych+social issues of five lesbian-identified couples as they decided to parent. 'What are the emotional needs, from their perspectives, of lesbian couples as they experience the process of choosing motherhood? The central research question provided descriptive data of the women's experiences from their support networks: their partners, families-of-origin or self-defined families, the lesbian community, their friendship group, professional clinicians, and religious institutions. A common theme emerging within these areas was the need for validation of the women's choice to parent and acknowledgement of this family creation. This demands confronting myths that lesbians should not have children. …

Child Abuse Reporting In A Local Hospital, Lisa A. Lovlien

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis explores what effect educational efforts and other interventions had on the detection and reporting of child abuse by emergency room personnel at a local hospital. This was accomplished by examining a random sample of children's medical records prior to and after hospital educational efforts. It was hypothesized that all children seen in the emergency room after the in-service whose condition or circumstance were reportable as child maltreatment, were reported to the appropriate child protection agency. In the sample records, it appeared that the most obvious cases of child abuse were identified and reported. However, lack of documentation on …

Characteristics Of Social Welfare Stasis And Change: A Comparison Of The Characteristics Of Two Child Welfare Agencies In The 1920s, Eve P. Smith

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article describes and compares two child welfare agencies of the 1920's with regard to qualities that influenced or inhibited their ability to change. While one agency gave up its institution in favor of foster home care and mother's pensions; the other continued to provide only institutional care. Four characteristics may account for the difference. They are the organizations' networks; amount of "sunk costs" associated with change; ideologies and interests of organization leadership and the agencies' "boundary spanning" activities. If further studies confirm these, then we may encourage organizational changes so that contemporary agencies may meet emerging client needs.

The Impact Of Work History On Economic Security At Old Age Among Africans In South Africa, Martha Tshitshi S. Mbatha

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Work histories of most Africans in South Africa determine whether or not they will be poor at old age. To illustrate this point, the author uses the literature and data collected from elderly Africans. Findings show racial discrimination in education and in the labor market as resulting in the concentration of the majority of Africans in low paying jobs. Low wages and the absence of a national pension scheme prevent most Africans from saving for their retirement. African workers constitute the largest percentage of the working poor in South Africa. Their circumstances are unlikely to change even after retirement. At …

Child Care Needs Of Welfare Recipients In Maryland's Welfare Reform Program, Barbara H. Vann, Todd W. Rofuth

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Legislation mandating participation of welfare recipient parents in education and employment and training programs has created increased demand for provision of child care. Providing the most appropriate care for this unique population depends, ideally, on its needs and preferences. This study examines child care needs and preferences of a sample of participants in Maryland's welfare reform employment and training programs. Although care by a relative is most widely used by these respondents, it is not clear that this is the type of care preferred by the majority of respondents. This has important implications for policy decisions regarding child care funding.

Social Work Practice And Technological Disasters: The Navajo Uranium Experience, Susan E. Dawson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Findings of a community case study of Navajo uranium workers and their families are presented in light of the effects of technological disasters. The workers and their families were exposed to occupational and environmental hazards associated with the mining and milling of uranium. Implications for social work practice and education are presented using the concepts of a therapeutic community and victim typology.

Victims Of Terrorism: Is It A 'Non-Issue'?, Uri Yanay

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite the growing 'detente' or because of it, the world faces the danger of an increased number of ethnic, religious and separatist movements that actively seek visibility, fearing that otherwise their case might be overlooked. This may be one of the reasons terrorism is a growing phenomena, causing injuries and death to people and significant damage to property.

Most governments ignore victims of terrorism. Denying the problem or providing scant help to victims does not solve the problem fairly. The political nature of the problem and the multitude of damages caused by terrorism requires legal entitlements and State resources to …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 20, No. 2 (June 1993)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND TECHNOLOGICAL DISASTERS: THE NAVAJO URANIUM EXPERIENCE - Susan E. Dawson
• VICTIMS OF TERRORISM: IS IT A "NON-ISSUE" - Uri Yanay
• THE IMPACT OF WORK HISTORY ON ECONOMIC SECURITY AT OLD AGE AMONG AFRICANS IN SOUTH AFRICA - Martha Tshitsi S. Mbatha
• REFORMULATION OF THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY BASED CARE - Phillip Fellin
• CHILD CARE NEEDS OF WELFARE RECIPIENTS IN MARYLAND'S WELFARE REFORM PROGRAM - Barbara H. Vann & Todd W. Rofuth
• PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTING IN THE 1990'S: HAVE EXPECTATIONS BEEN MET? - Peter M. Kettner & Lawrence L. Martin
• CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL …

Reformulation Of The Context Of Community Based Care, Phillip Fellin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Community based care has traditionally been defined as residential location. An alternative is presented of including the patient's membership in multiple communities, both geographical and identificational. The literature on social supports is cited as a basis for social integration as a goal.

Purchase Of Service Contracting In The 1990s: Have Expectations Been Met?, Peter M. Kettner, Lawrence L. Martin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Privatization and purchase of service contracting (POSC) are generally considered to be two of the most important factors that have helped shape the human service system during the 1970s and 1980s (Gilbert, 1983, 1986; Kammerman, 1983; Demone and Gibelman, 1984, 1989; Weddell, 1986; Kettner and Martin, 1985; Termell, 1987; Rein, 1989). Therefore, as we enter the decade of the 1990s, it would seem both appropriate and worthwhile to reflect on the original expectations for privatization and POSC and to assess the extent to which these expectations have been realized.

The Commitment Of Social Workers To Affirmative Action, Karen D. Stout, William E. Buffum

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study examines the relationship of commitment to affirmative action principles, knowledge about affirmative action, and positive or negative experiences with affirmative action in a sample of 193 members of the Texas Chapter of NASW. The results were that knowledge was not significantly associated with commitment to affirmative action, although both positive and negative experience with affirmative action was strongly associated with commitment. Ways to build support for affirmative action through positive experience are discussed. Differences among sub-groups of the sample are examined.

Book Reviews

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

BOOK REVIEWS

• Achieving Power: Practice and Policy in Social Welfare. Stuart Rees, Reviewed By: James Midgley, Louisiana State University
• Models for Change in Social Group Work. M. Fatout, Reviewed By: Richard J. Estes, University of Pennsylvania
• Cultural Diversity and Social Work Practice. Dianne F. Harrison, John S. Wodarski, and Bruce A. Thyer, Reviewed By: Dorcas D. Bowles, Louisiana State University
• Controversial Issues in Social Work. Eileen Gambrill & Robert Pruger, Reviewed By: Ram A. Cnaan, University of Pennsylvania
• Social Work and Social Order: The Settlement Movement in Two Industrial Cities, 1889-1930. Ruth Hutchinson Crocker, Reviewed By: Howard Jacob Karger, Louisiana …

Book Notes

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

BOOK NOTES

• The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. Dennis Saleeby
• Research on Social Work Practice. Mark A. Mattiani
• The Child Welfare Challenge. Peter J. Pecora, James K. Whittaker, Anthony N. Maluccio with Richard Bath & Robert D. Plotnick
• Community Organizing in a Diverse Society. F. Rivera & J. Erlich
• Brief Counseling: A Practical Guide for Beginning Practitioners. Windy Dryden & Colin Feltham
• Who Benefits from the Non-Profit Sector? Charles T. Glotfelter
• Contemporary Perspectives on Crisis Intervention and Prevention. Albert Roberts
• Alternative Models of Family Preservation: Family Based Services in Context. Kristine E. Nelson & Mariam J. Landsman

Adolescent Family Survivors Of Sexual Trauma: Program Development, Cara Lynn Carlson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis will explore theory and propose a program specific to the needs of a particular population of adolescent female survivors of child sexual trauma. This population of adolescent and young adult females are the runaway, throwaway, and homeless survivors of child sexual trauma that i have had the opportunity to work with for the past three years as an outreach worker. These survivors have had a history of sexual violence and too little support to enable them to heal from these experiences. This thesis focuses on expanding current outreach services to this population of young women grounded in the …

Social Work At An Area Learning Center, Brenda Hubers

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is a thesis for Augsburg College of Social Work. It presents a social work model and a research design for an Area Learning Center. The model emphasizes systems theory, Murrey Bowen's theory and task-centered social work. The task-centered social worker could provide at-risk students with community and school resource linkage.

At-risk students will benefit from support services provided by the Area Learning Center task-oriented school social worker. The proposal includes, and independent and dependent variable, the conceptualization of at-risk, benefit, and task-centered social worker, and the characteristics of the study population, possible data analysis and protection of subjects. The …

Establishing New Norms For Stepfamilies, Chris Christianson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Stepfamilies will make up over one-half of all families in the United States by the year 2000. Family therapy theories are based on norms for nuclear families which may not fit for stepfamilies. Stepfamilies usually have more complex structures and issues due to the additional number of members. Stepfamilies need to develop their own norms, norms which reflect the complexities of stepfamilies. Most of the literature on stepfamilies has been written in the last 10 years. It suggests that there are five basic issues which stepfamilies need to address. This paper explores three of those issues: 1) Defining the role …

Workshop Using Myth, Storytelling, And Ritual In The Human Services, Justine Swain-Smith

Theses and Graduate Projects

The study of workshops using myth, storytelling and ritual shows how these workshops can be helpful to adolescents. This paper examines a training workshop of the "Hero's Journey" for human service professionals who work with adolescents and a workshop for adolescents using myth, storytelling and ritual. An analysis and discussion of surveys done with participants is included in the text.

Implications Of Family Preservation Services When Working With Parents Who Are Developmentally Disabled, Laurel B. Zoet

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examines the success of the Iowa family preservation program when working with parents who are mentally retarded or considered to be low functioning by the referring social worker. The Iowa family preservation program is an intensive 45-day program designed to prevent out-of-home placement. The program works with parents to teach them skills to parent effectively while addressing therapeutic issues to form healthy family relationships. The data was collected by reviewing case fires at a private agency that provides family preservation services. Through program evaluation design, I have analyzed data corrected by the agency since 1987. A total of …

Caregivers: Reasons For Support Group Attendance, Nancy Jean Coryell

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examined the self-reported reasons informal caregivers of frail persons 65-+ attend time-limited psychoeducational support groups. Results indicated that caregivers in this study attended support groups for practical information (community resources), relief of emotional stress, and skill development. Results also indicated that caregivers of spouses attended the support groups for different reasons than did caregivers of non-spouses. Caregivers of non-spouses tended to be experiencing more emotional strain and anger, and were receiving less emotional support from friends and relatives. Limitations of this study included small sample size, lack of variance in geographic location of the support groups, and lack …

Design Of A Research Program To Gather New Information For Further Research, William Inthisone

Theses and Graduate Projects

This document is a design of a research program to gather new information for further research. The purpose of this research design is to explore the use of alcohol and drugs among the Laotian Students at Roosevelt High School and Sanford Junior High. These students may use alcohol and drugs because of difficulties of adjustment to new culture in the United States or they may have experienced traumatic events during their escape from their homecountry and during their time living at the refugee camp in Thailand.

The document has five sections. Section one is the Introduction, Background and Purpose. Section …

Using Collaboration In The Development Of A Special Services Parent Group, Linda Zachow

Theses and Graduate Projects

Collaboration between parents and schools is a concept that is being explored among large, statewide agencies, community based resources, and parent advocacy groups. This paper discusses the issues involved in developing a support group for parents for children receiving special education services. Several collaborative models are compared and a curriculum is designed on the basis of five elements necessary to meet the needs of the Special Services Parents Group.

Cocaine And Maternal Addiction, Susan Ann Clauson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Cocaine use during pregnancy is a problem that has been increasing steadily over recent years. For this thesis, eleven women who gave a history of cocaine abuse during their pregnancy and were currently receiving services at Haymarket House's Maternal Addiction Center (MAC) in Chicago, a drug addiction treatment center for pregnant women, were interviewed. This study found that although the women interviewed knew the potential dangers of cocaine use to their unborn child, they were uncertain whether or not they would be able to abstain from cocaine use after the birth of their child. This speaks to the highly addictive …

Theory And The Generation And Subversion Of Knowledge, Dennis Saleebey

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This essay is an argument for the refurbishing of theoretical thinking in social work. In particular, the author calls for the infusion of generative as opposed to normative theory in the profession. Only generative theory has been proven to invigorate the thinking and doing of professional social workers.

Beyond An Underclass: An Essay On Up-Front Politics, Paula L. Dressel, Jeff Porterfield

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Debate about underclass conceptualization has once again forced sociologists to acknowledge the political context and implications of our work. This article extends the critical examination of underclass conceptualization to relatively undeveloped but politically important areas of concern. Initially we discuss the political economic context of conceptual controversies surrounding poverty. With a preference for structural analysis, we call for the return of class to economically marginalized people and suggest how that goal might be enhanced by a focus on relations of distribution as well as production. Valuing subjects' vantage points, we recommend how sociologists' work can return agency and diversity to …