Social Work Commons^™

Eroding Filial Piety And Its Implications For Social Work Practice, Pei N. Chen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A pilot study was conducted in the Asian American communities on practitioners' assessment of the effects of compliance/non-compliance with the value of filial piety and its impact on Asian American adult children, aged parents and practitioners themselves.

Eighty-two practitioners in six cities returned mailed questionnaires. Since filial piety was an emotionladen topic, projective technique was used in questionnaire design. Practitioners were asked questions regarding a hypothetical case.

The findings demonstrated a gradual shift of filial responsibilities to health/social service providers with concomitant affective conflicts on the part of Asian American adult children, aged parents and practitioners themselves. With greater understanding …

Three Models Ofsocial Planning For Human Services In Energy-Impacted Communities, Bernie Jones, Janet Benson Jones

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Human service workers encounter many challenges as they face energy boom town situations in the Western United States. Currently, they respond following one of two models, corresponding to the role reserved for human services in the conservative laissez-faire and liberal enlightened capitalism models of American corporate behavior.

Shared Ethnicity As A Correlate Of Acceptance Of The Formerly Hospitalized Mentally Ill, Jonathan Rabinowitz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study looked at shared ethnicity of former mental patient and community member as a possible correlate of acceptance of the formerly hospitalized mental patient as a potential tenant. This study is an exploratory study with a comparative perspective using a design in which the willingness to accept a former mental patient as a renter in one of four groups is explored. Current research in this field has ignored the variable of shared ethnicity. The findings of this study did not reach the .05 level of significance, however the results seem to indicate that in some cases shared ethnicity is …

In The Case Of Manipulation, James L. Wolk

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article reports on the findings of research into the manipulative tendencies of 289 professional social workers in Michigan. Utilizing the Machiavellian scale and comparing the results with other studies, the author concludes that social workers, contrary to the conventional wisdom, have strong manipulative tendencies. Additionally, the more manipulative social workers are not isolated in any specific field or area of practice, but are scattered throughout the profession. Rather than be alarmed by this recognition, the author feels the profession must accept this reality and acknowledge that these manipulative tendencies are mitigated by a compassionate, humanistic value system.

Book Reviews, Paul Terrell, Robert E. Wood, Jim Baumohl, Sara Rosenberry

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book Reviews

• Poverty in America by RALPH SELIGMAN and ASOKE BASU
• Social Development: Conceptual, Methodological and Policy Issues by JOHN F. JONES and RAMA S. PANDEY
• Single Rooms: Stories of an Urban Subculture by ELLIE WINBERG and TOM WILSON
• The States of Welfare: A Comparative Analysis of Social Policy by JOAN HIGGINS

The Practice Of Social Work In Legal Services Programs, Heather B. Craige, William G. Saur, Janice B. Arcuri

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Because the legal difficulties of the poor are frequently symptomatic of longstanding economic, social and personal problems, a small number of legal services programs have hired social workers to collaborate with attorneys. A questionnaire was sent to all social workers employed by legal services programs encountered, job satisfaction and need for continuing education. Data on 48 social workers were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicate that social workers can increase the scope and depth of services delivered by legal services programs and also find considerable satisfaction in their work.

Special Problems Faced By The Elderly Victims Of Crime, J. David Hirschel, Karen B. Rubin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the problems faced by the elderly within our society. One of the most pressing problems is the threat of crime, This article examines the actual risk of criminal victimization among the elderly, the physical, financial, and psychological consequences of victimization, and the special problems faced by the elderly as they attempt to deal with the criminal justice system. Finally, their fear of crime, which in itself constitutes a very real form of victimization, is explored.

The Dreaming And The Doing: Utopian Foundations Of Social Action, William Demaria

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The article is interested in a conceptual clarification of social action. A tripartite model of social action is presented which attempts to focus on the complex relationship between utopianism and action (the dreaming and the doing). The article then poses the question: What social action options are available to the critical consciousness? Two are considered, one active and one passive. Activism and passivism are seen on a continuum, rather than as a polarity. Passivism is seen as a latent form of activism. The role of activist is seen as either maintaining activism or realising its passive form. Sociological perspectives are …

A Contest Of Values: A Cultural History Of Approaches Toward Alcohol, John E. Tropman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This is a smaller version of a manuscript prepared for the special seminar on Alcohol and Social Policy, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Winter 1978. The assistance of Kim Hoa Granville and Craig King is gratefully acknowledged. The support and encouragement of Dr. Edith Gomberg also needs to be recognized; without it, this paper never would have materialized.

Theory, Practice And 'Public Knowledge' In The Helping Professions, Alec Pemberton

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

ABSTRACT, This paper takes seriously Mao's epigram to tackle two important and interrelated themes. First, it looks at the extent to which practice in one helping profession (social work) may be said to be informed by theory. Indeed, Mao's statement that 'knowledge begins with practice' turns out to be a useful way of grasping the relationship between ideas and action. Second, knowledge gained from practice is returned to practice. Habermas's process of reconstruction used in the analysis to tie theory to practice is employed in the development of a conception of 'public knowledge' to increase professional accountability.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 9, No. 2 (June 1982)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• The Dreaming and the Doing: Utopian Foundation
• of Social Action - WILLIAM DEMARIA
• A Contest of Values: A Cultural History of Approaches Toward Alcohol - JOHN E. TROPMAN
• Sociologists in Schools of Social Work: Marginality or Integration? - LEE H. BOWKER, FRED M. COX
• Consensus as a Form of Decision Making - MARTHA E. GENTRY
• Life Events, Resistance Resources, and Health Status in Social Caseworkers - PRUDIE L. ORR, RICHARD H. DANA
• A Tactic for Intervention in Meetings That Are Being Controlled - ROBERT CAREW, TONY KELLY
• The Self and the Conduct of the People-Working Professions - …

Sociologists In Schools Of Social Work: Marginality Or Integration?, Lee H. Bowker, Fred M. Cox

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In this paper, we examine the responses of 180 faculty members in graduate and undergraduate social work programs. These faculty members all achieved their highest degrees in fields other than social work, but approximately half of them also acquired the M.S.W. degree at some point in their careers. It was originally hypothesized that sociologists working in social work programs woulkd exhibit some of the characteristics of marginality, and the questionnaire contained a number of items on collegiality, conflict, discrimination, recognition and satisfaction. It was found that sociologists teaching in social work program suffered no negative effects on any of these …

Consensus As A Form Of Decision Making, Martha E. Gentry

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper critically analyzes the consensus process as used in decision making. Drawing from the Quaker experience and from social psychological research, statements of conditions for its effective use are enunciated. Descriptions of the use of consensus are provided and areas for further exploration are identified.

Life Events, Resistance Resources, And Health Status In Social Caseworkers, Prudie L. Orr, Richard H. Dana

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Social case workers (N=318) participated in a longitudinal study designed to explore the relationships among life stress, possible "resistance" resources, and subsequent physical illness. Life stress was measured by the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (RLCQ) while intra- and interpersonal traits and perceived community resources were measured using the Eysenck Personality Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Interpersonal Checklist, and portions of the Community Adaptation Schedule. Ten months later frequency of subsequent physical illness was measured by the Physical Health Status Questionnaire. Increased frequency of physical illness was associated with life changes in the work sphere and with greater hostility and …

A Tactic For Intervention In Meetings That Are Being Controlled, Robert Carew, Tony Kelly

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

"This article describes an approach which can be used to generate tactics to free meetings that are being controlled. More assertively it can also be used to increase the probability of achieving prescribed goals in meetings."

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework that can be used by community workers to open up meetings that are being controlled. more assertive use can also be made of the framework to increase the probability of achieving prescribed goals in meetings. As a matter of convenience the focus in this paper will be on the use of the framework in …

The Self And The Conduct Of The People-Working Professions, William S. Bennett Jr., Merl C. Hokenstad Jr.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article discusses the evolution of people-working professions through four synchronic eras: 1) the traditional era, 2) the voluntaristic era, 3) the professional era, and 4) the cybernetic era. People-working professions are conceptually distinguished from traditional (craft) professions which serve as the model for most sociological analyses of the professions. In addition to differences in the nature of the knowledge used and the context of the service rendered, a distinction is drawn regarding the focus of the work done. People-workers give service to other selves (egos) while craft professions work with objects or parts of the person. The historical evolution …

Eleven Infallible Laws Governing The Negotiating Process Among Funding, Contractor And Client Agencies: By A Sadly Experienced Negotiator, Jeremy Miransky

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In these days of Reaganomics and cutbacks in social programs, grant allocations are becoming limited and competition for existing funds fierce. However, some things remain constant. Among them are the negotiating processes involved when a university applies for a training grant to be implemented in a social agency.

A Model For Forecasting Environmental Reaction To Policy Initiation, Ram A. Cna'an

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This research proposes and empirically tests a model for forecasting the possible reactions of other organizations to a policy initiation. This model is measuring the amount of reaction to change (A.R.C.) on three levels: relevant organizations, relevant functions, and overall environment. The model is presented in a general mode followed by a quasi-experimental case study. The results of this study are reported and implications, possible improvements and different uses are discussed.

An Australian Test Of Economic And Political Models Of Welfare State Expenditures: 1945 - 1979, Gordon W. Ternowetsky, Maurreen P. Clissold

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper tests 'political' and 'economic' models of welfare expenditure with post-World War II Australian data. The major antecedents of welfare spending for the overall time period (1945-1979) appeared to be economic growth as mediated by the age of the population and program incrementalism. It was shown, however, that this view misleads rather than clarifies the influence of different factors during specific periods within the overall time series. A periodization of welfare spending was found to be more useful. The periodization analysis showed that the influence of politics on welfare spending is important. Right political strength was found to have …

Voodoo Believers: Some Sociological Insight, Michele Wilson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Sociology has attempted to affect the therapeutic community in two ways. The first of these consists of our criticisma of both theory and practice because of the degree to which these do not fit the known epidemiology of phenomena known variously as mental illness and personal problems. The second attempt to influence has come from the philosophical stance of sociology: recognition of the relativity of realities. Although this paper addresses the second of these sources of influence, a few comments about the former first need to be made because of its effect on the latter.

Meaning In Work: Toward A Clinical Approach To Work Dissatisfaction, Shimshon M. Neikrug

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper deals with issues relating to the meaning of work for the worker and clinical implications for the social worker intervening in the field of industrial and occupational social work. The problems of work dissatisfaction and alienation in work are analyzed. The author presents two concepts, work as play and logotherapy, as being useful in the clinical intervention in work related problems. It is concluded that the absence of work dissatisfaction need not be the goal of intervention, rather the clinical encounter can strive for meaningfulness, growth, and self-discovery.

The Utilization Of A Performance Based Curriculum Design In Graduate Social Work Education, Gust William Mitchell

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

As a developing profession, social work is increasing its efforts to utilize systematically concepts from the field of education in its professional training. This research examines the use of a performance based curriculum design in the teaching of a graduate social work course. Results of this study support the use of this approach from the perspective of improved student performance.

Inside And Outside The For-Profit Nursing Home: Some External Determinants Of Inside Power Relations, Cedric Herring

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper offers a conceptual model for understanding how and in what ways externally determined factors affect power arrangements within a for-profit nursing home setting. Specifically, this paper links the activities of nursing homes as profit seekers to federal legislation and the activities of strategically structured interests which seek to socialize their costs. Additionally, it shows how social distinctions and other factors which have their origins external to the nursing home setting have consequences for what takes place inside. The model posits that it is those people who are members of society's more privileged groups (professional white males) who will …

Solving The Effectiveness Dilemma: How Can An Informal Network Create Change?, Robert W. Colman, Mark Barton

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Interagency networks seem to be good vehicles for informal communication and coordination. However, if they are to be effective in bringing about innovation, networks must develop some of the boundaries and structure of a group and thereby lose their informality. Examination of a case history of a network in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, suggests one alternative: A network can remain informal and operate by consensus but give rise to subgroups which take potentially controversial action in their own names. This possibility is explored and related to the emerging theory of social networks.

A Composite Model For Interorganizational Strategies, Donald E. Maypole

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article integrates general systems, exchange and contingency theories into a process model for determining appropriate interorganizational strategies to achieve goals. The author suggests that the interorganizational power-dependence ratio is one of the frequently overlooked but major determining factors in interorganizational relations and goal attainment.

Comparing Employed And Unemployed Welfare Recipients: A Discriminant Analysis, Becky L. Glass

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Based on data from the 1973 Minnesota AFDC Characteristic Study, 348 female AFDC recipients were classified according to whether they were employed or unemployed. T-tests and a discriminant analysis were performed to determine which of several demographic and economic variables distinguished the employed group from the unemployed group. The best discriminators were found to be those related to economic condition, such as value of personal and real property, liquid assets, and monthly income. Little difference was found between employed and unemployed women on the demographic variables. The implications of these findings for the argument that personal motivation or individual differences …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 9, No. 1 (March 1982)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Table of Contents

• Editorial - BOB LEIGHIINGER
• Call For Papers
• A Composite Model for Interorganizational Strategies - DONALD E. MAYPOLE
• Comparing Employed and Unemployed Welfare Recipients: A Discriminant Analysis - BECKY L. GLASS
• The Utilization of a Performance Based Curriculum Design in Graduate Social Work
• Education - GUST WILLIAM MITCHELL
• Inside and Outside the For-Profit Nursing home: Some External Determinants of Inside
• Power Relations - CEDRIC HERRISG
• Solving the Effectiveness Dilemma: How Can An Informal Network Create Change? - ROBERT W. COLEMAN, MARK BARTON
• Regional Reference Groups in the Spreading of Occupational Licensing Policies Among the
• States: An Exploratory Study …

Regional Reference Groups In The Spreading Of Occupational Licensing Policies Among The States: An Exploratory Study, Timothy W. Lause

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study explores the diffusion of state licensing policies, particularly the role of regional cuetaking in the adoption of new policies. Five such networks are suggested, along with the states most likely to serve as models for those reference groups. Findings have several implications for social work lobbying efforts.

Rejected Families: Established And Innovative Structures Of Service, Joseph R. Steiner

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The purpose of this paper is to encourage social workers in family settings to consider alternative structures of services to families, especially those families who are rejected from meaningful extra-familial relationships. Rejected families, the established structure of family service and some innovative modifications to this structure are described. Special attention is given to one type of innovative family-service structure, an experimental family residential center, which was successful in reducing rates of child abuse in Holland. Innovative family-service structures, including residential centers, could help many families which do not benefit from the existing structure of family services.

Program In Social Work With Groups: A Jungian Perspective, Herman Borenzweig

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In their text Social Group Work Practice, published in 1949 and affectionately called, "The Green Bible," by many social workers trained within its tradition, Wilson and RylandI portray program as, "the use of activities for attaining and maintaining mental health." By deemphasizing recreational modalities, social group workers have sacrificed their holistic practice, allowing other professionals to fill this vacuum. Recently, for example, "Sing your way back to health," is a "new" therapy in Los Angeles. Also, many Gestalt therapy exercises owe a debt to J.L. Moreno's psychodrama. Singing, drama, are but two of the many program tools taught as practice …