STOREEZ

Game Dynamics: tapping on other realms of knowledge and expertise

Social Workers endlessly work on the pursuit of this idea of professionalism, where we attempt to increase the status of the profession through the clear demarcations of boundaries identifying specific roles that only social workers can do, building up our own body of specialised knowledge and theories, and clearly identifying the professional credentials that allows one to be called a social worker through the process of accreditation.

However, as we proceed towards clearly defining our roles, I wonder whether these clear fences only serve to create a boundary between us, and the acquisition of skills and knowledge that are currently expanding rapidly elsewhere. This is especially pertinent in the crux of how social work theories cut across the many different bodies of knowledge realms: Economics, Sociology, Geography, Statistics, Public Policy, and many more. And through this process of boundary building, are we then creating further distance between ourselves and our service recipients, the clients with whom we are tasked with the management of dependency in society (Popple, 2011).

Aging Schemes and Policies

 

As I was doing some readings on a newspaper commentary from class, I was struck by the fact of how oblivious I am with regards to the current policies and schemes in Singapore to support our vulnerable populations. I reflect with trepidation my relative ignorance even on schemes under CPF that support the aged in the community, such as the CPF life Scheme. I wonder whether the general social work populous, and also other helping professions working with older adults (or any other vulnerable groups) are aware of changes and updates in policies, available programmes, and schemes that should be discussed with our clients. The nature of Generalist practice in the family service settings in singapore may make it an onerous task towards ensuring that we are kept up to date with the latest happenings and goings on in legislation and polity, but I think the onus and responsibility is also on us to share the latest information and process them in our discussions with our client, both at the casework and the community level. 

If our ignorance and limited knowledge of available programmes and schemes is a microcosm of the perceptions of the general Singapore population, then it would be inevitable that clients who stand to benefit from such programmes instead fall through the cracks. If we claim to work from a person in Environment perspective, then ultimately we need to take appropriate and standardised steps towards ensuring that social workers and other professionals are updated with up to date information on programmes and services. 

Anyway heres what I wrote, if you care to read:

The CPF Life Scheme

Family Violence: What the F*** is Wrong With You!?!

 

All training workshops on family violence have always focused on our first raw impressions about incidences of violence. I, for one, continually am perplexed and angry whenever I hear of incidences of family violence (spousal and elderly). And why not, since the base plot of many moving and heart wrenching movies pervades obviously in such cases: where someone "weaker" (physically or economically) is undermined and oppressed unfairly by someone more powerful. Such is the basis of many revolutions and revenge flicks of now, that we cannot help but feel a strong sense of injustice whenever we witness it. 

Hence, even more difficult when we try to intervene with the perpetrator of violent behaviour, who is usually a Man. Before we meet him, we have already formed stereotypes of a drunk heavy set low intelligence, and impatient person, whom we would approach with great condescension and a large degree of apprehension. It's hard to see them in a non judgemental way. 

Ramadhan: Cultural and Religious Immersion 101

 

Was reading my bro Farid's Blog about his thoughts and opinions on Ramadhan; and started reflecting on the meaning of this Holy Month for us Muslims. Even more interesting is the fact that common misconceptions about Ramadhan are still ubiquitous amongst non-Muslims, which unfortunately is also partly due to the messages and perceptions of Ramadhan transmitted by Muslims in Singapore. 

Sociocultural norms such as going to Geylang, getting expensive new clothes, and purchasing new furniture become infused with religious doctrines, making it difficult to distinguish that which is religiously obligatory in Islam, and that which are merely cultural nuances.