The Relevance Of Social Work And Critical Self-Reflection

The Role of Social Work in the Evolution of the Social System

It is important to note that social work plays an important role in the evolution of the social system through providing the essential needs that society may require in order to operate correctly. Since its inception, the value-based idea of social equality has centred on minimising the recurrent injustice that may be observed in community through the application of relevant Social Work Principles. In general, such theories are generalised views that are significantly reinforced by the proper kind of evidence that has been gathered via the deployment of the scientific method in its many forms (Baines, 2017). The sociological lessons of the fellow, including the need of putting oneself in another's shoes to comprehend them, serve as the foundation of social work. In this essay, I will explain the relevance of social work, including how it may play a significant position in society's progress. This will also illustrate the systemic unfairness in which I would have to face, and the amount to which I've been fortunate.

Critical self-reflection is an examination and appraisal of one's own personality, beliefs, values, emotions, and processes, as well as the fundamental factors that shape one's character and behaviour (Dominelli, & Campling, 2002). It assists an individual in developing a comprehensive understanding of oneself by showing one's own characteristics as well as the precise elements that influence them. The social work practice is comparable to that of the police department where a professional must make judgments that have an impact on the lives of people regularly (Fowler, 2020). As a result, a social worker's ability to provide critical assistance is jeopardized if he or she cannot create educated and fair judgments. Morley and Macfarlane (2019) argue that critical self-reflection happens when social workers carefully rethink their function as well as position in relation to social issues. Understanding that people are social creatures who learn from their surroundings gives rise to the concept of critical self-reflection (Fook, 2016). In addition, the component (critical self-reflection) recognizes that individuals can only contribute what they have to offer, which further exists as a consequence of their history or in-built beliefs that emerge as a result of events.

As a social worker, one may learn about one's own past and how it has influenced one's personality and personal values by participating in a critical self-reflection activity. Critical self-reflection provides social workers with more dynamic as well as alternate methods of grasping and building a nuanced knowledge of social issues (Mattson, 2014). People can evaluate their behaviours and beliefs as a result of this attribute, and they strive to make positive changes in their lives if their personalities are lacking (Fook, 2015). By pointing out that individuals who do not engage in critical self-reflection lead a fictitious existence as actors, Oliver (2018) highlights the need for critical self-reflection once again. The researcher further points out that neglecting to engage in a critical self-evaluation means intentionally inflicting harm on others while choosing to continue living a specific way of life that causes harm to others (Foucoult, 1975). As a result, critical self-reflection assists individuals in realizing that they are a part of something larger than themselves.

The Value-Based Idea of Social Equality

To be a successful social worker, one must be aware of his or her own likes and dislikes, preconceptions, biases, as well as weaknesses, as well as their own. Social work is a job that needs individuals to make numerous sacrifices, including the loss of their sense of self on several occasions. That is only conceivable if one has a higher regard for oneself than the typical 'actor' level of appreciation (Oliver, 2018). The practice of critical self-reflection is the primary source of self-appreciation as a social worker, as a result of which social worker wants to improve the lives of others better than making great sacrifices on occasion to accomplish this goal. I want to make people's lives better by assisting them in coping with their challenges and gaining access to resources that are far away from them. It is consequently necessary to have high degrees of self-awareness to provide social work services (Fowler, 2021). Consequently, I needed to get engaged in critical self-reflection to serve the masses as mandated by law as well as to function as an agent of change in the community.

According to the National Council on Family Relations (2019), social location is one's place in society as defined by socioeconomic class, aptitude, education, religion, culture, nationality, religion, sexual preference, able-bloodedness, gender, and geographical location (National Council on Family Relations, 2019). Social placement is described as a person's social standing within their community and therefore is based on social attributes considered relevant by any particular civilization. Sociologists contend that even a person's social location has a significant impact on where they are from or even who they are become, as well as their relationships with others, self-perception, possibilities, and results.

In my situation, I would characterise my socioeconomic status as a 25-year-old Indian woman who was born into a Hindu Punjabi upper-class household. I belong to a renowned city called Jalandhar which accommodates the people of all other religions and customs including Hindus, Christians, Muslims and others. Childhood in a multi-cultural community allowed me to recognise the purity inside individuals as well as aided me in being nurtured with incredible composure.

 My religion is Hindu and I follow Hinduism. Hinduism is a sacred culture from other faiths, including the fact that it is based on the Vedas. Hinduism is regarded as the world’s largest oldest living religion with origins dating back to the 2^nd millennium BCE. Hinduism does not really have a single fonder of fundamental philosophy that can be pointed to as a starting point. Hindu people are among the most joyful individuals and celebrates various festivals and respects every other religion.

Heterogeneous relationships are considered respectable in my opinion when it comes to the family institution (Heron, 2005). My family is made up of my father, mother, one older sister, and two younger brothers. My family may live in an upper middle-class environment because my father works for a bank and owns other businesses. The household can provide for all of its needs while also providing assistance to its children in their educational endeavours. That is mostly influenced by my upbringing and experiences with my parents and close family members, among other factors. I am lucky to come from a well-established family which has always encouraged me to pursue my aspirations.

The Sociological Lessons of Social Work

Every member of the family organization works together to maintain order and respect for one another. My Indian households live within extended contexts, where children interact with and get orders and advice from a diverse spectrum of individuals, comprising parents, grandparents, uncles, as well as aunts, as well as other extended family members. Culture has created a situation in which cousins are treated as true siblings in the home environment, and a problem affecting one member affects the whole family (Morley, 2016).

In terms of sexual orientation, I am a heterosexual female, which is considered "normal" in Indian society, which means that I am attracted to the opposite gender; thus, I have not faced any discrimination because of my sexual orientation. Based upon how society perceives my social status, I may receive benefits or endure persecution.

• An Unearned Privilege

It is assumed that one belongs to the high socioeconomic class when one has an abundance of resources at his or her disposal. For instance, Natasha and Bloemraad (2018) indicate that people from the higher class believe drivers are operating smaller automobiles on the highways in their country. And to make matters worse, many people in the higher social classes prefer to hold persons in the lower social backgrounds responsible for laxity that they claim is the source of their numerous problems. The abundance of riches is accompanied by substantial social power, which may lead to arrogance or ignorance towards those from lower socioeconomic groups at times (Barken, 2019). On the other hand, According to Suarez (2019), privilege emerges when people or groups possess immunities as well as unique privileges. It can be based on a variety of social identities such as race, gender, religion.

 I am an Indian woman from Punjab, which, in comparison to other Indian states, has a high level of prejudice against women. Males are still considered superior to women in many communities in India, whether rural and urban. Gender inequality is a big aspect of Punjabi culture throughout India (Jangir & Azeez, 2017). Men's masculinity as well as power continue to be valued in society. Women do not know how to advocate for themselves because of the high percentage of illiteracy. Historical injustice, personal prejudice, personal persecution, as well as governmental subordination are all kinds of persecution throughout Indian culture (Barken, 2019). Lower-class persons, on the other hand, prefer to live near one another and share what little they have. The extremely poor, on the other hand, act similarly to the very affluent in that they isolate themselves from other people as well as come to despise themselves as a result of their extreme pain (Davidson, et al., 2020). Because of my social position, I can afford moderate shopping, live in a high-quality home, and pay my lodging and tuition fees on time. Every one of them amounts to significant advantages that are not accessible to everybody in Australia or India. I try to acknowledge the advantages while yet attempting to reject them.

Social privileges are the numerous skills that people have access to as a result of factors such as social class as well as economic standing, or more broadly, their social position in society (Zufferey, 2016). My gender is another undeserved advantage. As a woman, I encounter numerous problems, but I have never been in a scenario where my gender has been called into question or where I have been denied chances because of my gender. The upper middle-class population, on the other hand, exhibits a variety of characteristics when it comes to social engagements as well as interventions (Mattsson, 2014). Growing up in quite an Indian culture provides opportunities to obtain both good and negative viewpoints on the culture.

• Experience of Oppression

The Significance of Critical Self-Reflection for Social Workers

According to Mullaly and West (2018), oppression occurs when a dominant group controls a subordinate community. Oppression in social work can manifest as marginalisation, cultural imperialism, exploitation, violence, and powerlessness. Women's discriminatory practices are always on the increase around the world, notably in India, wherein women confront a number of obstacles in their daily lives, including female foeticide, domestic violence, inheritance denial, assault, sale, as well as trafficking of females, to name a few. Women's oppression makes recognising one's rights as a person being harder. Women should perform a varied role in society, involving earning for the family, caring for children, being a mother, wife, as well as daughter, including providing societal services. Notwithstanding the reality that women participate similarly to the advancement of the country, gender inequality continues to exist. In India, women remain denied their basic right to dignity and therefore are forced to cope with the problem of gender equality through their own. However, I have seen the presence of discrimination based on gender. Getting a guy in our society signifies a sense of stability, respect, and financial prosperity. Girls are undoubtedly being forced into marriage at an early age as a consequence of the limited educational possibilities, and much worse academic credentials, that are accessible to them in their communities.

Achieving financial security for both an Indian as well as an Australian education while another equally bright as well as academically talented individual does not have access to education in either India or Australia is social inequality (Mullaly, 1997). Because of poverty, many impoverished individuals in India are unable to pursue further education beyond high school, making graduation from high school a significant struggle for many students. Although I use every experience in my life as a learning opportunity, the fact that I do so prepares me to follow in the footsteps of my two role models, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as Mahatma Gandhi. Social injustice is also present, necessitating the involvement of a social worker to have a significant impact (Lundy, 2011).

Racism as well has been a source of oppression for me since I arrived in Australia. Racism and prejudice against people of Indian heritage have a long history in Australia; they endure more discrimination than the general population. The issue is serious in Australia, and reports indicate that it has something to do with prior assaults on Indian students within Melbourne (WATTS?JONES, 2010). Being an Indian foreign student residing throughout Sydney exposes me to several situations in which people call me out on my scepticism about the veracity of certain social claims made in the country. The aspect this leads many Indian immigrants, particularly those from rich and upper-class families, to believe that the concerns made by minorities in countries where the Indian foreigners dwell are legitimate grievances. The feeling of being "called out" about my social privilege, on the other hand, is one of learning rather than enjoyment for me, as it helps me to concentrate and refocus my social work motivation and perspective. Geographically, Indians have a high degree of self and respect, which may be attributed to their many accomplishments as well as the major contributions that their country contributes to the globe. 

The Relevance of Critical Self-Reflection in Understanding Social Issues

Growing up in a home with many riches, for instance, makes it difficult for a person to comprehend the suffering of others who need assistance or assistance. As a result, as someone from an upper middle-class Indian household has had a significant influence on my life. The social worker seems to be a government servant who's really responsible for meeting the needs of all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status (Davidson, et al., 2020). Because I am not even from the high class, which generally leads to a detached existence, I am, for instance, able to adapt to the needs of several have-nots in places like Australia as well as India. However, since individuals’ personalities and personal beliefs are formed via their encounters with their surroundings, many people who join the field of social work end up being selfish humans after they graduate (Mattsson, 2014).

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as Mahatma Gandhi did, my goal is to utilize what I have to make a difference in the lives of others. Because of my geographical position, and I am able to comprehend the concerns of other Indian-Australian students who complain about not having access to fundamental services. I have formed long-lasting friendships with my classmates, particularly Australian aboriginals, because of my ability to relate to their needs. Being able to empathize with people and communicate my feelings keeps me joyful, and it helps me to see my advantages as God-given opportunities to affect the whole world with my message.

Through the development of critical thinking as well as the ability to empathise only with experiences as well as feelings of others, self-reflection has been a wonderful tool in assisting me in gaining a better knowledge of my advantages and disadvantages. In order to aid others, I can use my own power to help them understand that they have been able of dealing with any situation that comes their way.

I had to face significant barriers in order to achieve my objectives. Some aspects of gender discrimination had been a huge source of difficulty for me although I grew up with a muddled sense of myself. Nonetheless, I had just my father, mother, perhaps a few relatives to push me to pursue my dream of attending the famous Australian University and becoming a well-known social worker. Despite the unjust and unequal society in which we live, my parents generously invested in my education. Taking the expected test also helped me understand how sincerely worried I am about building a culture of providing a decent degree of education for my country's population. It may help them acquire the most aid possible in order to maintain a good quality of life although to be capable of speaking out opposed to any form social injustice throughout India. (Lundy, 2011). Moreover, my skills as a social worker throughout India and Australia would have an impact on my day-to-day operations. Furthermore, having financial means enables me to make use of basic education and housing opportunities in Australia, when many indigenous people and minorities are unable to do so.

Conclusion

It is possible to conclude that social work practises, in combination with various concepts, ideas, and theories play a critical role in the formation of a social as well as cultural setting when all factors are taken into account. I have also gained an understanding of the significance of eradicating the various forms of discrimination that are detrimental to the institutionalised as well as the sexual identity that has flourished in the various corners of India, which has now been properly understood it through type of media of my personal perspective, through all the affirmation of my individual perspective. As a consequence, I have come to recognise that the theories that I have selected need rigorous planning as well as monitoring capabilities in order to attain the intended outcome of social equality in society. 

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