I've had enough of the commercialization of Christmas. Now Black Friday shopping is being hyped more than the supposed reson for the shopping.
Earlier this week I went to my church to help fill bags of Thanksgiving foods for those in need right here in our community. Last week the regular food give-away had to be closed early. The demand out-weighed what was available.
So please join me in boycotting Black Friday shopping. Instead, stay home and write checks to your favorite charities. Or if you are having a tough time financially, use the money to pay down your credit cards.
Christmas is a season of goodness and appreciation for the life that has been given us... and all the joys associated with family and friends.
Please leave your thoughts in the comments. And, Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Balloon Boy Just One Example of Suspected Child Abuse for Money
I've watched reality shows (Jon and Kate Plus Eight, for one) and the thought crossed my mind that the children may be at risk for exploitation. Not all children who are in the limelight are neglected or abused. But now with the sad tale of the Balloon Boy all over the news, and knowing that he was raised in a home where he was taught to lie for promotional purposes, it brings me back to wondering if what is going on, right under the watchful eye of the TV camera, is abuse or neglect. What do you think? I think it's time we confine the reality shows to consenting adults.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Why Social Workers Blog - Blogging Tips for Social Workers
I read with interest the article, SW 2.0: Social Work? There's a Blog for That over at The New Social Worker Online.
The article covers such issues as micro-blogging (Twitter and FaceBook) and whether or not blogging is dead. Apparently not. So why do Social Workers blog? "What is the allure of blogging, anyway? Why do we blog? In essence, blogging allows anyone the chance to be an authority on a subject of his or her own choosing and a writer at his or her own pace. It gives people the opportunity to assert their place in the world, their thoughts, opinions, stories, ruminations, all complete with an unchanging Web address and the possibility of an eager, interactive audience. Anyone with an Internet connection can start a blog using free services such as Blogger, WordPress, or TypePad."
Me? I blog to share information and resources. I'm now a travel writer but I still love social work and social workers. I like the interaction with those still in the field.
The article is a good read. Find out how you can start blogging... and I urge you to do so.
The article covers such issues as micro-blogging (Twitter and FaceBook) and whether or not blogging is dead. Apparently not. So why do Social Workers blog? "What is the allure of blogging, anyway? Why do we blog? In essence, blogging allows anyone the chance to be an authority on a subject of his or her own choosing and a writer at his or her own pace. It gives people the opportunity to assert their place in the world, their thoughts, opinions, stories, ruminations, all complete with an unchanging Web address and the possibility of an eager, interactive audience. Anyone with an Internet connection can start a blog using free services such as Blogger, WordPress, or TypePad."
Me? I blog to share information and resources. I'm now a travel writer but I still love social work and social workers. I like the interaction with those still in the field.
The article is a good read. Find out how you can start blogging... and I urge you to do so.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Reader Comments: Should You Become a Social Worker?
I thought these comments were so insightful, I decided to re-post them here:
Hi, Liz,
Good questions all. I'd just add a sort of caveat for your #1. There are a lot of folks in the social work field who have very personal reasons for being here, and that can not only be OK, it can be and very often is, a major "plus." So I think it worth pointing out, as you rightly do, that working out major personal issues before, and apart from, getting into social work is best; but that the social worker very often brings his or her whole person & whole experience to the profession. Being able and willing to utilize one's whole self in clinical practice, in particular, is considered by many to be invaluable to SW practice.
And to Kate, I respectfully disagree. An MSW isn't a very common path to a PhD in Clinical Psychology, but I think it's a very reasonable one. One of the interesting things about the interdisciplinary characteristics of contemporary social services is that one discipline can often lead into another, and that's often a very good thing.
OTOH, I think one of the most valuable things about SW's scope is how much the policy/CO/"macro"/"mezzo" elements in SW really have enormous impact on those of us who by preference focus on psychotherapy/clinical/"micro" elements; and vice versa. It's really a big field, and I'm deeply grateful that we're all here, sharing and supporting one another no matter what our particular subfield preferences.
Respectfully,
Charles Delacroix, LCSW, ACSW
Here's another:
I think that people should ask themselves if they even want to be a social worker. There are several students in my MSW program whose career goal is to attain a doctorate in clinical psychology. They are the student who are repulsed by their "lazy" clients in practicum and think that any part of social work training that isn't psychotherapy related is pointless to learn.
In short, psychology and social work are different fields with different theories. Don't study social work if your goal is to be a psychologist.
Kate
Hi, Liz,
Good questions all. I'd just add a sort of caveat for your #1. There are a lot of folks in the social work field who have very personal reasons for being here, and that can not only be OK, it can be and very often is, a major "plus." So I think it worth pointing out, as you rightly do, that working out major personal issues before, and apart from, getting into social work is best; but that the social worker very often brings his or her whole person & whole experience to the profession. Being able and willing to utilize one's whole self in clinical practice, in particular, is considered by many to be invaluable to SW practice.
And to Kate, I respectfully disagree. An MSW isn't a very common path to a PhD in Clinical Psychology, but I think it's a very reasonable one. One of the interesting things about the interdisciplinary characteristics of contemporary social services is that one discipline can often lead into another, and that's often a very good thing.
OTOH, I think one of the most valuable things about SW's scope is how much the policy/CO/"macro"/"mezzo" elements in SW really have enormous impact on those of us who by preference focus on psychotherapy/clinical/"micro" elements; and vice versa. It's really a big field, and I'm deeply grateful that we're all here, sharing and supporting one another no matter what our particular subfield preferences.
Respectfully,
Charles Delacroix, LCSW, ACSW
Here's another:
I think that people should ask themselves if they even want to be a social worker. There are several students in my MSW program whose career goal is to attain a doctorate in clinical psychology. They are the student who are repulsed by their "lazy" clients in practicum and think that any part of social work training that isn't psychotherapy related is pointless to learn.
In short, psychology and social work are different fields with different theories. Don't study social work if your goal is to be a psychologist.
Kate
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Beginning a Social Work Career
One of the big questions that comes to me via Social Work World, is... How do I become a Social Worker? I usually ask the person to consider the following:
1. What is your motivation? Is it a genuine desire to make an impact on issues such as poverty and child abuse? Or, is it a need to deal with some personal issues such as a childhood trauma or poor relationship with parents. If it's the later, I suggest that the person deal with their own issues before choosing a career in the helping professions.
2. Are you ready to study? Some people don't realize that a social worker has at least a bachelor's degree and most likely a Master's degree. That is a huge commitment.
3. What do you know about Social Work? Some people really don't know what social workers do. They don't know about the stress associated with the profession (or the joys either). I suggest that those interested in a social work career volunteer at a human services agency that employs social workers or shadows a social worker as they go about their daily work routine.
Are there other key questions that someone considering the field of social work should ask?
1. What is your motivation? Is it a genuine desire to make an impact on issues such as poverty and child abuse? Or, is it a need to deal with some personal issues such as a childhood trauma or poor relationship with parents. If it's the later, I suggest that the person deal with their own issues before choosing a career in the helping professions.
2. Are you ready to study? Some people don't realize that a social worker has at least a bachelor's degree and most likely a Master's degree. That is a huge commitment.
3. What do you know about Social Work? Some people really don't know what social workers do. They don't know about the stress associated with the profession (or the joys either). I suggest that those interested in a social work career volunteer at a human services agency that employs social workers or shadows a social worker as they go about their daily work routine.
Are there other key questions that someone considering the field of social work should ask?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Social Work World Website and Business For Sale
I've decided to sell the Social Work World domain, website and CafePress shop. It was always a labor of love to develop the resource lists and articles but the site more than paid for itself. It produces income, especially in March, Social Work Month! If anyone is interested in purchasing the business please write to me for more information. Elizabeth Rose
Most of you are aware that I've had a career change. I just don't have the time to grow the site anymore. It's well placed with Google and will be a great find for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a love of social work (and, of course a little extra money!)
Most of you are aware that I've had a career change. I just don't have the time to grow the site anymore. It's well placed with Google and will be a great find for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a love of social work (and, of course a little extra money!)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Here's Another Dilemma - Lesbian Dating - Should a 14 Year Old Date an 18 Year Old
When I worked in hospitals we were frequently faced with cultural issues. What did you do when a 14 year old had a baby and her boyfriend was 18 or older. The family, often Hispanic, thought this was a joyous occasion. CPS did not always agree.
So here's another dilemma brought up by Lesbian Life writer, Kathy Belge. "I recently heard from a teenager asking for advice about dealing with her mother. She says her mom is unhappy with her dating another girl. That may very well be so, but then she told me that she's 14 and her girlfriend is 18." See what Kathy thinks. Do you agree?
So here's another dilemma brought up by Lesbian Life writer, Kathy Belge. "I recently heard from a teenager asking for advice about dealing with her mother. She says her mom is unhappy with her dating another girl. That may very well be so, but then she told me that she's 14 and her girlfriend is 18." See what Kathy thinks. Do you agree?
Flagstaff, Arizona to Cool Off - What Do the Homeless Do?
It was hot in the valley... 115 degrees hot. No wonder they are collecting water to pass out to the homeless. Water, in this heat, is life.
So we decided to head out to the mountains just 2 hours north of here. Flagstaff, Arizona is in the pine woods. We toured National Monuments, savored the opportunity to do a bit of hiking and photography and stayed in a rather mediocre motel, all that was available at a reasonable price.
But what I wasn't prepared for was the daily sighting of an elder woman, with disabled car, dog sleeping underneath, semi-permanently parked in back of the auto repair place next to the motel. She was there each morning and evening, puttering around the car, going through papers and her things which stuffed the car. One day, there was an electrical cord leading to her battery. But the next day she was still there. I wondered to myself, if I should offer help or just let be. What would others do? She wasn't asking for help, Flagstaff has social services, yet, it bothered me to see her there, at her age.
So we decided to head out to the mountains just 2 hours north of here. Flagstaff, Arizona is in the pine woods. We toured National Monuments, savored the opportunity to do a bit of hiking and photography and stayed in a rather mediocre motel, all that was available at a reasonable price.
But what I wasn't prepared for was the daily sighting of an elder woman, with disabled car, dog sleeping underneath, semi-permanently parked in back of the auto repair place next to the motel. She was there each morning and evening, puttering around the car, going through papers and her things which stuffed the car. One day, there was an electrical cord leading to her battery. But the next day she was still there. I wondered to myself, if I should offer help or just let be. What would others do? She wasn't asking for help, Flagstaff has social services, yet, it bothered me to see her there, at her age.
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