Apologies for the break in transmission. Normal service won't be happening for another 6 weeks or so...still on social work placement, still working, still somewhat exhausted. But I am going to share an extract for one of my bloggy assignments. Yes, we have to write on a sort of private, for students-eyes-only blog. We had to write about an ethical issue. My only question: which one should I pick?
My placement is at an agency which supports people who are marginalised and have complex and chronic mental health and other disabilities. I have been very affected, not only by the extreme emotional vulnerability of many of the service users I have met and interacted with on my placement, but also by experiencing the impact of their poverty and disadvantage firsthand.
Visiting people in their homes, and on their terms, feels very different to working in a centre, and interacting 'by appointment'. This also relates to the agency focus on 'deprofessionalisation', and the blurring of the boundaries between 'workers', 'students', and 'friends'. I keep hearing, and I agree, that, people needs friends in their lives, not professionals. But I am still unclear where these friends will come from. People who are seeking support may often wish to form stronger and more lasting relationships with workers (or volunteers, where the boundary is even more blurred) than is wanted by the worker. Some of the workers and volunteers (unlike myself) have a religious faith, which seems to inform their decision to include marginalised and disadvantaged people in their lives.
I keep reflecting on this, which raises a personal ethical dilemma: 'how much can I give of my time/myself?' I am aware of the irony, as I often don't have time to see my own friends (especially this semester!). This is also a self-care issue. I know I need to have clear boundaries to keep myself emotionally and physically well, and to be an effective worker.
There is obviously a huge difference between myself, being in a position of economic privilege, and socially connected, but very 'time poor'; and service users, who may have lots of 'free time', but little social contact, or opportunities for community participation.
Without a radical change in lifestyle, I am unlikely to ever have much more 'free time', for example, until retirement. (Although the current government is about to assist many public servants with this dilemma.) This also raises an ethical issue for me, in broader social terms, about the way we live: so many people are stressed and overworked, whilst others are marginalised, lonely and living in poverty. Somehow it feels to me like a complete mismatch.
By the way, I am so pleased some of you are still reading this blog, despite my recent absence. Please feel free to add your comments at any time.
More later. Possibly quite a bit later...
My placement is at an agency which supports people who are marginalised and have complex and chronic mental health and other disabilities. I have been very affected, not only by the extreme emotional vulnerability of many of the service users I have met and interacted with on my placement, but also by experiencing the impact of their poverty and disadvantage firsthand.
Visiting people in their homes, and on their terms, feels very different to working in a centre, and interacting 'by appointment'. This also relates to the agency focus on 'deprofessionalisation', and the blurring of the boundaries between 'workers', 'students', and 'friends'. I keep hearing, and I agree, that, people needs friends in their lives, not professionals. But I am still unclear where these friends will come from. People who are seeking support may often wish to form stronger and more lasting relationships with workers (or volunteers, where the boundary is even more blurred) than is wanted by the worker. Some of the workers and volunteers (unlike myself) have a religious faith, which seems to inform their decision to include marginalised and disadvantaged people in their lives.
I keep reflecting on this, which raises a personal ethical dilemma: 'how much can I give of my time/myself?' I am aware of the irony, as I often don't have time to see my own friends (especially this semester!). This is also a self-care issue. I know I need to have clear boundaries to keep myself emotionally and physically well, and to be an effective worker.
There is obviously a huge difference between myself, being in a position of economic privilege, and socially connected, but very 'time poor'; and service users, who may have lots of 'free time', but little social contact, or opportunities for community participation.
Without a radical change in lifestyle, I am unlikely to ever have much more 'free time', for example, until retirement. (Although the current government is about to assist many public servants with this dilemma.) This also raises an ethical issue for me, in broader social terms, about the way we live: so many people are stressed and overworked, whilst others are marginalised, lonely and living in poverty. Somehow it feels to me like a complete mismatch.
By the way, I am so pleased some of you are still reading this blog, despite my recent absence. Please feel free to add your comments at any time.
More later. Possibly quite a bit later...
4 comments:
This is something I have definitely thought a lot about. The fact that there are many marginalised people who need a friend more than any of the other things a 'professional' can provide. I thing services like APTB get this and do it well. Its an issue that really challenges a lot of what might otherwise seem black and white though, I think. Thanks for sharing your reflections.
One other thought :)
"Some of the workers and volunteers (unlike myself) have a religious faith, which seems to inform their decision to include marginalised and disadvantaged people in their lives."
This is an interesting reflection and I wonder if at the end of the day, it all comes down to values? That their values stem primarily out of a religious belief system and you have values informed by something else? For me - one value which informs my reflection (and actions)on this issue is one of common humanity, which is not linked to a religious belief system (for me).
Thanks to you too, Antria, for your comments. I agree about the values part, its just interesting that most people involved with APTB identify with a faith, which is clearly informing their values. Its a thought-provoking observation. I think that sadly the majority of the population may not 'get' or identify with this concept of humanistic or faith inspired community action however. And I am usually a very optimistic person!
Hi Claire, its really interesting to hear a bit about your experiences and challenges on placement. Home visiting is eye-opening, and even 20+ years later, I have vivid memories that flood back when I drive down particular streets or through certain rarely-visited suburbs.
The whole issue of friendships is extremely complex, and each of us has to decide what feels right. Regardless of what you decide for yourself, you can't befriend everyone who needs a friend. I wonder if some of the lack of friends for people you are seeing stems from their "apparent" lack of certain social skills, which is directly related to their illness or deprived background. As a community, we have so much to learn about people who behave differently.
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