SOWK Systems and Ecological Practice on the Modern Families Discussion
PurposeTo connect a scenario to various systems, strengths, ecological, or acculturation perspectives.InstructionsRefer to this week’s readings (the Grande novel, Organista, and Payne) and respond to the following:Identify the factors in Juana’s narrative that you can connect to the systems, strengths, ecological, or acculturation perspectives discussed by the authors.Explain how this information relates to social work practice with Hispanic and Latino clients.Cite specific examples that illustrate and justify the position you take in your discussion.Respond to two peersIn your responses to your peers, compare and contrast your peers' identified factors and explanation. Where do you agree? Where do you disagree? Why? Is there another perspective?Initial substantive post of approximately 300-350 words Your substantive responses of approximately 100-200 words to at least two peers Textbook ReadingPayne, M. (2014). Modern Social Work Theory. (4th ed.). Chicago: LyceumChapter(s) 7 & 9Journal ArticleOrganista, K.C. (2007). Diversity within Latinos: Subgroups, Identity, and Social Welfare. In Solving Latino psychosocial and health problems: Theory, practice, and populations. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Chapter 1, pp. 3-37PEER 1In Juana’s narrative, one of the relevant theories I agreed fit most was the strengths theory. Payne (2014) states that having strengths along with a narrative and solution approach, will motivate the client to have a positive outcome in their life. In better terms with Juana’s case she is “not giving up” and she is focusing on the possibilities that may happen. Juana had suffered losses with her sister in the beginning of the story and in this week’s reading she had lost her younger brother to Don Elias. Juana over the course of her years has experienced stress from her sister passing, her father leaving, her mother having a child with Don Elias, losing her brother, and now is facing her mother having a drinking problem (Grande, 2007). Juana is also experiencing uncertainty from her father possibly being dead or never coming back. Juana is not giving up on for the possibilities for herself and her family’s future. Juana is wanting to make a positive change for her family.Another relevant theory that fits best in Juana’s narrative is the systems/ecological theory. Payne (2014) emphasizes the systems have boundaries that affect the physical and mental energy when internally exchanged, the energy can be in context of money and effort in the Garcia family case. This week’s reading, Juana’s mother, Lupe, had an option to repay Don Elia’s by having a romantic relationship with him or going to prison by not paying husband’s debt. Lupe did not want to go to prison and felt terrible for her decision made. The reciprocity was getting food and then eventually having a son with Don Elias who is now taken away. This had affected the Garcia family physically by not getting sufficient funds but also mentally on having another child taken away and Lupe drinking. Juana is now having to take care of mother but also think about what is next for their future (Grande, 2007).Learning about the strength’s theory is important to understand the client’s personal perspectives of their previous and current challenges. The way to use this information in social work practice with Latino clients is for practitioners to be culturally competent with client’s reality but also to be able to manage difficult cases and help with serious social problems that are experienced (Payne, 2014). Every individual, family, community has their own strengths, it is learning to identify what they are in order to observe the success in their lives. A positive example of this is when an immigrant comes to the U.S and identify their strengths and their goal is to become a citizen and create a better life for their family which is what is keeping them from never giving up. Learning about the systems/ecological theory is important to understand working with Latino clients to identify the family social system and understanding the input/output energy of the system. It can be a positive or a negative way, though when experiencing negative circumstances such as stress or being powerless, the client can experience barriers and eventually adapt with limited resources (Payne, 2014). With Latino based clients, it is important to understand what is affecting them but also what resources will be beneficial for them to succeed in their future.ReferencesGrande, R. (2007). Across a hundred mountains: A novel (1st ed.). New York, NY: Washington Square Press.Payne, M. (2014). Systems and ecological practice. In Modern social work theory (4th ed., pp. 184-210). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.PEER 2Despite the many hurdles that Juana continues to face as well as her family, she demonstrates resilience. In her search for her father, she remains hopeful that all will be better once they are reunited. Meca et. al(2019) state that resilience is a common theme amongst Latinos, but especially immigrant families. This can be seen with people that Juana meets along her journey that support her and allow her to feel a sense of community and also give her the opportunity to help them. For example, on Christmas eve Juana decides to help a woman, Diana, that was clearly intoxicated. She offers her the opportunity to have a warm meal and a place to stay for the night (Grande, 2007). This to me is indicative of Juana’s ability to still provide care and support to others even in her own time of need. As a social worker, if this were my client, I would take the time to point this out to Juana because it is important to maintain a strengths perspective for clients that may not see their strengths amongst the struggle (Payne, 2014).An additional piece this book discusses is the way Juana’s family often consumes alcohol to deal with the trauma the family endures. One article states that roles of acculturation and sociocultural stress are all factors of predicted alcohol initiation (Meca et. al, 2019). In Juana’s case, they constantly strive for the “American Dream” and with that may come a certain level of acculturation. However, the constant stress to obtain this dream affect Juana’s overall ecosystem (Payne, 2014). This is important to note when considering the work that needs to be done amongst immigrant communities. There are thousands of immigrants in search of that same ”American Dream” despite the dangers associated with such a journey. This is why advocacy on their behalf is extremely important in the line of social work because it impacts individuals' overall livelihood. The more we can understand a client’s journey, the better support, and resources we can offer to clients that align with the same or similar experience.ReferencesGrande, R. (2007). Across a hundred mountains: A novel (1st ed.). New York, NY: Washington Square Press.Meca, A., Zamboanga, B. L., Lui, P. P., Schwartz, S. J., Lorenzo-Blanco, E. I., Gonzales-Backen, M. A., Cano, M. Á., Szapocznik, J., Soto, D. W., Unger, J. B., Baezconde-Garbanati, L., Kubilus, R., Villamar, J. A., & Lizzi, K. M. (2019). Alcohol initiation among recently immigrated Hispanic adolescents: Roles of acculturation and sociocultural stress. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 89(5), 569–578. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000352Payne, M. (2014). Systems and ecological practice. In Modern social work theory (4th ed., pp. 184-210). New York, NY: Oxford University Press