Social Work Commons^™

Assisting The Most Vulnerable Populations In The Regions Of La Rioja And The Maghreb: The Human Rights-Based Approach And Social Work, Neus Caparrós Civera, Domingo Carbonero Muñoz, Esther Raya Díez

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article examines the evolution of social assistance provided to the most disadvantaged populations in La Rioja, Spain and the Maghreb, going from charity to the human rights-based approach (HRBA). A case-analysis methodology was applied to two social interventions: the ABDEM project, which is part of the EU Tempus program, and the UNICEF program to combat poverty in the Spanish region of La Rioja. In these two cases, the HRBA represents a conceptual leap in the promotion of people’s autonomy and an effective means for sustainable progress in response to the inequality, discrimination and unjust power relations negatively affecting the …

“If I Don’T Take Care Of Myself, I Can’T Take Care Of Them:” Exploring Caregiving Grandmothers’ Experiences Of A 9-Session Self-Care Curriculum, Jacquelyn J. Lee Phd, Lcsw, Stacey R. Kolomer Phd

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Abstract

The predominance of research on custodial grandparent caregiving focuses on prevalence, risk factors, and challenges; less attention has been paid to the development of interventions to support this population. In response to a decrease in length of service provision at a local agency, a 9-session self-care curriculum was designed to focus on caregiver health through the empowering, multi-dimensional practice of self-care. The curriculum uses a mind-body approach and was integrated into a pre-existing 9-month support program for grandparents raising grandchildren. Using a basic, interpretive qualitative design, the purpose of this study was to explore how grandparent caregivers: 1) understand …

Social Support And Survival Strategies Of Older African American Grandmother Caregivers, Gaynell M. Simpson, Tracy D. Pressley, Dana L. Carthron, Kim Stansbury

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

The effects of caring for grandchildren on grandparents’ emotional and physical well-being have become a significant area of focus in behavioral and medical research. Research suggests that African American grandmothers may experience increased mental and physical health challenges due to their caregiving stressors. To buffer the adverse influence of stress, caregivers often rely on informal social support from family and/or community members. In this study we explored older, African American caregivers’ management of their emotional well-being within the context and circumstances of available to minimal social support from family and community. During an 18-month period, seven caregiving grandmothers participated in …

Mapping The Needs Of Kinship Providers: A Mixed-Method Examination, J. Jay Miller, Jessica Donohue-Dioh

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This study utilized Concept Mapping (CM) to examine the needs of 105 kinship caregivers in one southeastern state, and to examine priority differences in conceptualization by placement type (formal vs. informal). CM is a mixed-method research methodology that employs multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analyses to examine relationships among sets of data. Results indicate that kinship providers conceptualize needs via an eight-cluster solution, or concept map. As well, data suggest key priority differences between informal and formal caregivers in areas of financial, legal, and public outreach needs. After a brief review of literature about kinship care, this paper will …

School Of Social Work, May 2017, College Of Health And Human Services

Social Work Newsletter

• Upcoming Events
• Please welcome Dr. Jennifer Harrison as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work, effective August 2017.
• Dr. Dee Sherwood, Faculty Specialist II, and Coordinator of Extended University Program, Grand Rapids, has won a CDC case study grant in collaboration with Public Health faculty Dr. Shannon McMorrow and Dr. Vivian Valdmanis.

School Of Social Work, April 2017, College Of Health And Human Services

Social Work Newsletter

• WMU Fostering Success program saluted as a 'beacon' for college access
• Dr. Ineke Way will be retiring at the end of the spring semester, after teaching in the School of Social Work since 1991
• Considering a study abroad opportunity? There are openings in the Social Justice and Sustainability in India program, scheduled for fall 2017
• Congratulations
• Upcoming Events

Grandparents Of The Community: Lakota Elders’ View Of Intergenerational Care, Mary Kate Dennis, Nancy J. Kepple, Joseph Brewer Ii

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This exploratory, qualitative study provides insight into the traditional concept of tiospaye (extended family and kinship to these relations) by Oglala Lakota elders in the modern context of the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota. The authors reframe the modern implementation of these traditional practices of kinship as community grandparenting, in which the elders extend the role and responsibilities of grandparenting behaviors to all youths in the community. This study employed Indigenous methodologies, which allowed the 25 elders to share their stories in a culturally tailored, relational manner. The study uses thematic analysis to identify three themes associated …

Parenting A Second Time Around: The Strengths And Challenges Of Indigenous Grandparent Caregivers, Jessica Y. Hsieh, Kristen J. Mercer, Sarah A. Costa

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Background: There is a lack of knowledge and research of Indigenous grandparents rearing grandchildren. A burgeoning area of research, the literature only includes studies conducted from the year 2002 and onwards. In order to minimize the burdens that Indigenous grandparents encounter when assuming this role, a greater understanding of this population is crucial. This scoping review was undertaken in an attempt to gain insight into and generate awareness of this population, specifically concerning their needs and experiences. Methods: Sixteen databases were searched, including two medical databases and fourteen social science databases. A total of 92 titles and abstracts were independently …

Caregiving Among Community-Dwelling Grandparents In Jamaica, Julian Gm Mckoy Davis, Douladel Willie-Tyndale, Kathryn Mitchell-Fearon, Desmalee Holder-Nevins, Kenneth James, Denise Eldemire-Shearer

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Grandparents play invaluable caregiving roles in the general upbringing of grandchildren. The objective of the present study is to provide a profile of grandparents providing care to co-resident grandchildren younger than 18 years old in Jamaica. A subsample of 451 grandparents providing care to co-resident grandchildren under than 18 years old was derived from a larger nationally-representative community-based study of 2943 older adults residing in Jamaica. Data pertaining to caregiving, demography, health, socioeconomic status, and social participation were analysed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Seventy one percent of grandparents were involve in regular care of their grandchildren. Hypertension (65.9%), arthritis …

School Of Social Work, March 2017, College Of Health And Human Services

Social Work Newsletter

• Upcoming Events
• Seven social work graduate students are published in prestigious Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare.
• Register for this upcoming interprofessional training - March 30 from 5-7 p.m.
• Join us April 10 from 12-3 at WMU - Southwest

Review Of The Spirituality Of Awe: Challenges To The Robotic Revolution. Kirk J. Schneider. Reviewed By Daniel Liechty., Daniel Liechty

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of:

Kirk J. Schneider, The Spirituality of Awe: Challenges to the Robotic Revolution. Waterside Press (2017). 142 pages, $14.95 (paperback).

Power, Deviance, Stigma, And Control: A Sociological Reconceptualization Of Sexuality Within Social Work Services, Richard A. Brandon-Friedman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Despite shared societal and historical origins, sociology and social work have had a contentious relationship, leading some to suggest the two disciplines are inherently incompatible. This article challenges that assertion by examining how sociological conceptions of deviance, power, stigma, and control can contribute to more just social work services, particularly in the contentious area of adolescent sexuality. As respected social agents, social workers can play a role in counteracting the forces that alienate outsiders. By understanding how sociological theories contribute to their ability to contest the social discourse regarding sexuality, social workers can challenge social norms and work with clients …

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 44 No. 4

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

“Children Can’t Learn on an Empty Stomach”: The Black Panther Party’s Free Breakfast Program - Husain Lateef and David Androff

Do We Know What We Think We Know About Payday Loan Borrowers? Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances - Mary Caplan, Peter A. Kindle, and Robert B. Nielsen

“I Play Golf With My Kids, Not My Colleagues:” Politicians, Parenting, and Unpaid Work as a Choice? - Cheryl Najarian Souza

The Influence of Socio-cultural Factors on College Students’ Attitudes toward Sexual Minorities - Mark D. Olson and Eros DeSouza

Habitus, Symbolic Violence, and Reflexivity: Applying Bourdieu’s Theories to Social Work …

Community Partnerships For The Prevention Of The Worst Forms Of Child Labor Among Migrant Children In Samut Sakhon, Thailand, Tsz Ki K. Tang, David Engstrom, Sompong Srakaew

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This policy note examined the child labor prevention model employed in Samut Sakhon, Thailand, which aims to prevent migrant children from entering the worst forms of child labor in the seafood processing industry. The model consists of transitional education and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The analysis examines the context of child labor and explores the challenges and opportunities to make anti-child labor efforts more effective.

Review Of Sorrows And Songs: One Lifetime–Many Lives. Janice Wood Wetzel. Reviewed By Marilyn S. Paul., Marilyn S. Paul

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Janice Wood Wetzel, Sorrows and Songs: One Lifetime–Many Lives. Fullarton Press (2015), 255 pages, $14.95 (paperback).

"I Play Golf With My Kids, Not My Colleagues": Politicians, Parenting, And Unpaid Work As A Choice?, Cheryl Najarian Souza

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Through in-depth interviews with thirty women and men politicians, this paper investigates their unpaid work as parents and their paid work. Using Goffman’s (1959) concepts of “front stage” and “back stage” performances, the author argues that the women and men developed strategies to do this work. Decisions about whether or not to run for their first job in politics were gendered. Another finding was that the experiences of their families and the making of public policies were gendered. The women organized their “village” while the men saw their fathering roles in terms of scheduling dad time. Finally, there were differences …

Social Networks In The Context Of Microfinance And Intimate Partner Violence In Bangladesh: A Mixed-Methods Study, Nadine S. Murshid, Allison Zippay

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This mixed-methods study draws from social network theory to examine disclosure and help seeking for intimate partner violence among microfinance participants in Bangladesh. This study uses data on women from the nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007 and from in-depth interviews with 30 microfinance participants in Dhaka. Propensity Score Matching analyses indicated that increase in social contacts due to microfinance participation was not associated with disclosing IPV. Responses from the urban sample indicated that reasons for nondisclosure include feelings of shame, stigma, and fear of being perceived as weak by others. Implications regarding how microfinance organizations can tap …

How The Immigration And Deportation Systems Work: A Social Workers Guide, Carol Cleaveland

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Not only is the question of immigration controversial, it is complex -- laden with legal nuances as well as implications for human and civil rights. This article provides an overview of what happens to an immigrant who seeks to enter the country ‘legally,’ as well as the challenges for an immigrant who enters the country without authorization. Social workers who serve immigrants may find themselves called on to advocate for clients as they traverse a labyrinth court system. I introduce this system to help practitioners and students understand the paths to legal immigration in the United States, as well as …

Immigrant Health Disparities: Does Neighborliness Improve Health?, Kofi Danso

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Using data from the California Health Interview Survey, this cross-sectional study examined the differential role of neighborhood social capital and other socio-demographic variables in predicting the health of immigrants and native-born Americans. The results revealed a statistically significant association between age, marital status, and poverty level, English proficiency, education and employment, self-reported health, and immigrant and non-immigrant status. With the exception of neighborhood trust, neighborhood social capital indicators such as social cohesion, neighborhood safety, and civic participation were found to significantly predict both immigrant and non-immigrant health. Neighborhood trust was significant for non-immigrants, but was not predictive of immigrant health. …

The Influence Of Socio-Cultural Factors On College Students’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Minorities, Mark D. Olson, Eros Desouza

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Research has indicated that age is a significant predictor of tolerance toward sexual minorities. However, outdated measures and social desirability may hinder attempts to accurately detect bias. This study explores attitudes toward gay males among a sample of students in the Midwestern United States. We investigate the influence of gender, religiosity, and political orientation on students’ attitudes. Students’ political orientation was found to be the strongest predictor of attitudes. In contrast to previous research emphasizing the relationship between age and tolerance, our study suggests that socio-cultural factors have the greatest influence on bias. This has critical implications for social work …

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 44 No. 2

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Serving No One Well: TANF Nearly Twenty Years Later- Kristin S. Seefeldt

Barriers to Food Security Experienced by Families Living in Extended Stay Motels- Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar

Impact of Short Lifetime Limits on Child Neglect - Vicky N. Albert and William C.

King The Policy Nexus: Panhandling, Social Capital and Policy Failure- Amanda R. Tillotson and Laura Lein

The Impact of Concentrations of African Americans and Latinos/Latinas on Neighborhood Social Cohesion in High Poverty United States Neighborhoods -Laurie A. Walker and Daniel Brisson

The Association Between Neighborhood Factors and Mexican Americans’ Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review - Kai Wei …

Review Of Behind From The Start: How America’S War On The Poor Is Harming Our Most Vulnerable Children. Lenette Azzi-Lessing. Reviewed By Kristen Ravi., Kristen Ravi

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of:

Lenette Azzi-Lessing, Behind from the Start: How America’s War on the Poor is Harming Our Most Vulnerable Children. Oxford University Press (2017), 248 pages, $29.95 (hardcover).

Review Of The Money Cult: Capitalism, Christianity, And The Unmaking Of The American Dream. Chris Lehmann. Reviewed By Daniel Liechty., Daniel Liechty

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of:

Chris Lehmann, The Money Cult: Capitalism, Christianity, and the Unmaking of the American Dream. Melville House (2016), 398 pages, $28.95 (hardcover).

Editorial: A Call For Research, Bob Leighninger

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A Call for Research from editor Bob Leighninger

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 44, No. 1 (March 2017)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITORIAL: A CALL FOR RESEARCH -Bob Leighninger

CONGREGATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROVISION - Sarah B. Garlington

CAREER DEVELOPMENT, WELL-BEING AND COPING STRATEGIES OF ZIMBABWEAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES: A RESEARCH NOTE- Josphine Chaumba

THE SOCIAL EXCLUSION OF DUALLY-INVOLVED YOUTH: TOWARD A SENSE OF BELONGING - JoAnn S. Lee and Jessie Patton

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE PREVENTION OF THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOR AMONG MIGRANT CHILDREN IN SAMUT SAKHON, THAILAND: A POLICY NOTE - Tsz Ki K. Tang, David Engstrom, and Sompong Srakaew

SOCIAL WORK IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY: …

Congregations In The Community: A Case Study Of Social Welfare Provision, Sarah B. Garlington

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A complex mix of community and government activities address social welfare needs. Even with structural changes, communities are active in assessing and providing for their own members’ needs, though in widely variable forms. Religious organizations are key in community social welfare. This project investigates the role of religion in social welfare provision at the local community level. Examining religion’s participation contributes to the understanding of religion’s role in the public sphere as moral commentator, contributor to the common good, and identity legitimation. This article uses a functionalist theoretical framework and case study data to discuss congregations and social welfare provision.

Career Development Wellbeing And Coping Strategies Of Zimbabwean Immigrants In The United States, Josphine Chaumba

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study combined quantitative and qualitative data to understand perceptions of career development, life satisfaction, and strategies for enhancing career development among Zimbabwean immigrants in the United States. Participants completed a survey on their perceptions of career development in the United States. Twelve participants selected from those who had completed the survey participated in in-depth interviews that asked about their life experiences. Spearman’s rho correlations revealed inverse relationships between career development difficulties and life satisfaction and time in the United States. Qualitative results revealed specific strategies that participants used to build their careers. Implications for practice are also suggested.

The Social Exclusion Of Dually-Involved Youth: Toward A Sense Of Belonging, Joann S. Lee, Jessie Patton

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

We use an institutional life course perspective to explore the social exclusion of dually-involved youth. We begin by defining the concept of social exclusion and present one mechanism of social exclusion, the set of institutions operating in the lives of dually-involved youth. We use the social exclusion framework to extend the implications of studies of dually-involved youth, and propose three stages of social-exclusion for dually-involved youth. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of broad investments in families, schools, and communities to ensure that dually-involved youth develop a sense of belonging and the capabilities necessary to live meaningful lives.

Social Work In The Black Community: A Collective Response To Contemporary Unrest, Stephenie Howard

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The frequent outpour of civil unrest in the Black community in response to instances of social injustice is a manifestation of outrage and exhaustion with systems that perpetuate socioeconomic disparities and human rights violations in this community. Lessons learned from historical practices of social work in the Black community may enhance the potential of contemporary social workers to shepherd this social consciousness into sustained social change. Toward this goal, this paper will synthesize and juxtapose the parallel paths taken by early Black social workers and their majority counterparts. This paper will also identify strategies for integrating the legacy of early …

Mixed-Status Families And The Threat Of Deportation, Eloisa P. Haynes

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article offers a description of deportation, explores the effects of deportation in the lives of mixed-status families, as well as, outlines the social and economic cost of deportations to American communities. This article argues that the toll imposed on U.S. citizens, both relatives of those deported and members of the community, renders deportation, in most circumstances, an unfavorable policy that does more harm than good. A policy which is intended to protect Americans and curtail unauthorized migration, instead creates injustice, fragments families and communities, and creates a significant negative impact on the U.S. economy.