Introduction.
An insight into poverty and associated issues.
The 21st century South Africa has many challenges in its way to socio economic growth that reflects people’s needs and the realization of a sustainable integrated livelihood; and the greatest of these numerous challenges is poverty which generates a number of related or associated problems like HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, prostitution, homelessness, child and spouse abuse. It is on this premise that we will seek to understand poverty and its associated problems; while at the same time we will try to seek a social workers theoretical imperatives in the management of and tackling poverty and associated problems. At the foremost it is important to acknowledge the impact of global capitalism and its influence on the domestic, as well as on the South African people’s social life.
Apart from the apartheid legacy, it is worthy noting that the advent of neo-liberal policies on the economic market system, advanced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank meant the reduction in the states responsibility over its people, thus people’s welfare, is left to the market forces. Through privatization of parasitatals- (government companies), opening up of the markets through reduction of tariff barriers and de-regulization of the labour rules and removal of subsidies on essential goods, we see a situation in which people’s social economic life is at the mercy of transnational companies who dictate the pace of the market, they have taken control of the states, and governments are at their mercy as well, dancing to their tunes and demands. It is this situation that has led to the closure of local industries especially in textile, because they cannot with stand the pressure exerted on them by the large multi national companies, thus resulting into heavy job losses and an increase in poverty at the grass roots- in essence capitalism has enlarged the gap between the poor and the rich, as Shragge (1993:7) puts it “the consequences of these economic changes is an expanding bottom and shrinking middle stratum.. More and more people are subject to periods of unemployment and precarious short term jobs”. The results of which are prostitution, substance abuse, HIV and AIDS, orphan hood and other social ills. An insight into the economic policies like the growth, employment and redistribution (GEAR) which is informed by capitalists ethos, would make us understand that capitalism is entrenched into the government structures and this entails the marginalization of the greater population. “Being poor frequently also means being subjected to physical abuse and violence, being subjected to humiliation and indignity, being subjected to exploitation by the powerful and the wealthy. It frequently involves experiences of humiliation, of hopelessness, of ill health, of indignity, of anxiety, of rejection and denigration, of powerlessness and insecurity of fatalism of being trapped in a terribly bleak place and of deep injustice (Graaff, J, 2001:6). It is at this far important to appreciate that structural social workers have got a greater responsibility to protect the individuals and the society from such socio economic ills and it is with this realization that a social structural justice approach to social work becomes an imperative alternative to the management of these prevailing social problems.
Social structural justice approach to social work.
The social structural justice approach to social work, this is a radical approach to social work practice, and it views individual or personal issues as part of the broader social economic, cultural and political processes; it appreciates the ideological hegemony that manipulates the society and cripples the conscience of the people. Thus with a social structural justice approach, social problems are viewed as grounded in the oppressive and inequitable cultural, socio economic and political structures. Thus as Sewpaul (2003:311) contends ‘the focus of analysis and change is on the systems of patriarchy, capitalism, institutional racism and sexism’. With this approach to social work in HIV/AIDS problems for example, focus is on the government- national, provincial and local government- policies on HIV and AIDS- questions like the following would be asked: what does the government say on HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation? Who does the government say should get the antiretroviral drugs and what are the criteria? At the same time the structural social worker looks beyond the symptoms, it is thus imperative to look at the broader processes that contribute to the escalation of the pandemic. It is with this kind of approach that social workers starts questioning institutional capitalism that is deeply ingrained in the government structures, through GEAR which is basically informed by capitalist’s ethos of growth, investments, profit accumulation, basically the promotion of urban efficiency, we see a situation where poverty escalates at the periphery of towns and cities and it is in those cases where prostitution, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, crime and homelessness thrive. Thus, in the foregoing social ills the structural social worker realizes that if change has to happen in the people, an environment should be created that is receptive and permissive to peoples needs- that which fosters the integrals development and nurturance of individuals potentials. It is thus a belief in structural social work that people as human beings have the inherent and intrinsic capacity to achieve or attain maximum potential but rather it is the broader social economic, political and cultural imbalances that inhibits growth and actualization. Thus the structural social worker aims at empowering people to be able to see themselves as part of the broader dynamic processes, this therefore avoids blaming the client as victims of their own choices and inabilities. The idea in social structural justice approach to social work is that if people have the capacity to have jobs and gain economic reliance their present situations would improve, although this does not assume that economic reliance is the sole variable for peoples integral development but rather with self reliance people will have the economic buying power which equally entails power over their own choices and needs, thus the structural social worker has greater responsibility to ensure that people have the power, power that enables them to have independent choices and decisions; and equally power that liberates them from power, ‘the state power’ (Rahnema, M, 1992:123). It is equally true that social justice is an intrinsic value and integral to people’s development, it is thus a greater responsibility for the structural social workers to ensure that the socio-cultural and economic environment is created for the propagation of a socially just world.
From this perspective then to understand individuals’ behavior, it is thus imperative to first reflect on the broader contexts in which they function as Sewpaul (2003:311) affirms, “the individual versus society is seen as a false dichotomy as private troubles cannot be understood and dealt with outside their socioeconomic, political and cultural contexts’. In simple and clear terms, to liberate people from structural disadvantage it is imperative to advocate for structural changes in socioeconomic and cultural dynamics that promote class systems. As Mullaly (1998:153) “the guiding principle for structural social work is that everything we do must in some way contribute to the goal of social transformation”. It is however important to note that, this does note mean structural social workers neglect the individual needs of the people, Mullaly ( 1998:153) states that “structural social work practice comprises a simultaneous two prolonged approach: (1) to provide practical humanitarian care to the victims and casualties of our patriarchal, liberal capitalist society; and (2) to restructure society along socialists lines”
Key concepts in structural social justice approach
Social structures.
These are socially created institutions that exist to organize and pattern individual social functioning and interaction. Some of which are families, schools, languages economy, culture, government and religion. For a structural social worker it is imperative to understand the dynamisms, the energy and synergy and politics behind these structures, for individuals are made and equally make these structures. “How the society is arranged around us has a strong influence on or determines our social relations” Payne (2005:230). Thus the structural social worker has a greater responsibility to understand how individuals affect and get affected by these structures, this helps the social worker to understand how inequality and power imbalances are perpetuated in the patriarchy-liberal capitalists systems. It is through understanding of the systems in which oppression and disadvantantage are procreated and reproduced that modalities and strategies would be made that would advocate for structures that are permissive for the creation of a socially just society for all people regardless of individuals socioeconomic, cultural, race, ethnic and political background and differences
Inequality.
This is a fundamental concept in structural social work, it is worthy noting that systems of patriarchy, capitalism, institutional racism and sexism create a gap in the interaction of people, they create some power imbalances based on illogically constructed socio-cultural and economic and political paradigms. It is important to appreciate that social cultural and economic inequality generates poverties- social, economic and cultural inadequacy. Inequality generates exclusion and robes people of their intrinsic and inherent values and power over their own lives and choices and it nurtures intellectual and psychological vulnerability and control for the benefit of the dominant groups. Thus the ‘creation’ of the poor, marginalized, alcohol and drug addicts, prostitutes and orphans. Safe guarding the society from the foregoing social ills is almost nigh unless the dominant values that propagate exclusion; discrimination and inequality of any kind are deconstructed. Thus it is imperative to say that “unless changes are made to the basic structures of oppression, which create and perpetuate an unequal and inequitable society, any social justice strategy will have limited value” Ife cited in Sewpaul (203:2003).
The person as political.
The person as political is another important concept in social structural social work; on this premise it is imperative to appreciate that in structural social justice the persona cannot be separated from politics, as Payne (2005:236) contends “because it is a critical theory therefore it includes both the interpersonal and political action which cannot be separated. Structural social worker appreciates that everyone was born with inherent rights that are supposed to be respected at any time, and it is through this that we appreciate the unfairness of distribution of the generated natural resources. On the other hand the truth on the ground is that other people are more equal than others and they benefit more at the expense of others and often times this happens with the knowledge that others are ignorant of the truth and their socioeconomic, cultural and political intrinsic abilities. It is this that creates systems of oppression to maintain the status quo by making people to live and believe in their inadequacy as fatalistic products of their failures - it is in this premise that the structural social worker realizes the political attachment of the persona and through critical engagement the client and the social worker embark on the a journey through a process of awareness that involves politicization of the clients so that they should see the sources of their troubles and structural disadvantage. It is through this critical engagement that people will see themselves as capable beings that have the potential to change the course of their lives; thus as Mullaly (1998:148) says we will be able to appreciate that “we are not only objects of the prevailing social order, we must also be subjects who are able to move beyond it” . Thus people will have the ability to reflect upon their lives and be able have their voices back that will grant them power to speak, Giroux in Sewpaul (2003:313) affirms this when he states that differences in power authorizes who speaks, how fully, under what conditions, against what issues, for whom and with what degree of consistence and institutionalized support.
Human beings as inherently potent.
It is a key assumption in social structural justice approach that human beings are inherently quite potent but that their sources of problems or failure to achieve actualization lies in the structural systems of oppression like the socio-cultural, economic and political system. It is thus a belief in the social structural social work that if people have to enjoy a better livelihood that is permissive to the expression of their potential and that which meets peoples integrated needs (psychological, biological, social and spiritual needs), thus changes should be made in the systems of oppression and unjust social structure as Sewpaul (2003: 311) affirms that ‘the focus of analysis and change is on the systems of patriarchy, capitalism, institutional racism and sexism’. Thus a society has to be created that is inclusive and permissive to people’s holistic and optimal growth.
Strategies in the helping process
Empowerment.
The process of empowerment in structural social work is a political process; in this process the focus is on two levels, the micro and the macro levels as Sewpaul (1993:189) puts it, “the process of increasing political power for the oppressed groups is viewed as empowerment at the macro level. Empowerment at the micro level refers to increasing personal power and control without change in structural arrangement”. This enables the oppressed majority to see themselves as capable individual and people who can contribute to the positive change in their lives; on the other hand this facilitates the reduction and avoidance of dependency. It is imperative to say that the conventional welfare system sometimes creates dependency; in that people are only viewed from a narrow linear perspective, that they are poor and the grants would assist them, this does not consider the multi factorial dynamics and the intrinsic ability and potential in the people, that is in hibernation due to capitalists order that keeps on suppressing their lives and choices. Thus the structural social worker enables the people to see themselves from a ‘strength perspective’ and builds on that to broaden their horizon of thinking through critical reflection and dialogue. It involves enabling people to have a critical reflection over their lives. This enables the people to see themselves not merely as individual but equally as people with others, which enables them to increasing their own self esteem and self efficacy. This enables people to have greater control over their own self and the choices they make. It is imperative to note that in issues of poverty and associated issues like HIV and AIDS, drug abuse, prostitution, child and spouse abuse- people see themselves as powerless and completely in a bleak state where they don’t have any choices. The social workers try to enact the individuals potentials through critical reflection on their lives so that people should be able to see themselves not as powerless entities but as people who have the capacity to change their life course by being active participants in the change process, thus the social worker plays a facilitator role, functioning on an equal footing with the clients. As Sewpaul (1993:190) affirms “the empowerment approach puts people or consumers in control, not professionals”.
This as a process, involves active participation by the client through an empathetic relationship that has its aim in soliciting knowledge and strengths from each other, for it is true that in this kind of set up the social worker and the client benefit from each others experiences and life course knowledge, which affirms that the social worker and the client are equal players benefiting from a horizontal based relationship that has completely the clients interests in its fold and not the vertical relationship that puts the social worker in position of authority and control. Empowerment involves making people aware of the socio cultural and political processes that affect them, and the starting point is at the level the clients are, which stresses for the need to listen and be actively involved with the client in an empathetic and non judgmental process. It is however important to note that empowerment can take place on two planes, firstly people should have the basic material needs that they need which entails and affirms the need for social grants to support the marginalized and the poor with an income which can keep them going and secondly it involves embarking on a journey that is rigorous, that of self discovery, it entails identifying own needs and embarking on a long term strategy to achieve a self sufficient and sustainable livelihood that encompasses an integrated and holistic change, in this the structural social worker takes the role of an animator, an active participant just like clients.
Consciousness- Raising.
At the foremost it is imperative to appreciate the impact and influence of hegemonic ideation on human life, it is on this premise that we will appreciate the way apartheid managed to incarcerate, and inculcate into the greater black majority into believing and being socialized into ‘social products’ that were deemed as less equal to the white minority. At this level, then we will appreciate that the structural social worker has the greater responsibility to assist the service users to discover their true identity, it is through conscientization and politicizing the service users that they will understand the sources of oppression and their troubles, it is through this that people can start to externalize and relate themselves with the broader social dynamics and processes. This then calls for the structural social worker to be more understanding and empathetic and be able to animate the clients so that they can re-live their past again through their own biography. It is worthy noting that a personal biography is a fundamental tool of enabling clients to be able to see themselves as products of different multi factorial influences on their lives as Sewpaul (2003:305) affirms “the power of the biography lies in its potential to reflect how power and /or powerlessness are reproduced in every day life experiences”. It is thus through a critical empathetic questioning, reframing and reflection that clients will be able to see themselves where they are coming from. It is also worthy noting that social or economic inequality or oppression is a bilateral process that encompasses the oppressed and the oppressor, thus the structural social worker has the greater responsibility of bringing knowledge to both groups, the oppressors and the oppressed so that a society is created that is socially permissive for the integral development of all citizens regardless of their color, race, creed and economic background. As Giroux cited in Sewpaul (2003:313) contends that this knowledge will assist ‘the dominant groups with the knowledge and histories to examine, acknowledge, and unlearn their own privilege and to deconstruct the centers of colonial power and the master narratives of racism”.
It is imperative to note that the starting point for problem solving is to identify the problem and the root causes, thus it is fair to say that consciousness- raising and politicization of individuals places them into a ‘corridor with light’ which enables them to see themselves as products of social, cultural, economic and political calculations with the aim of maintenance of power and social order. Thus consciousness raising brings forth the suppressed individuals true identity into the open. It is a difficult and tedious process but imperative to undertake as Leonard cited in Mullaly (1998:163) affirms “the hegemony of the ruling class involves the domination of its world view which drenches individual consciousness and which therefore must be actively struggled against at the level of consciousness”.
Collectivization
The process of consciousness-raising can be undertaken at an individual level or through organized groups which comprise people with similar issues but it is imperative to affirm that individual needs should always be put into consideration before individuals are integrated into groups and at the same time, empathy should always be shown to the clients in the process of partaking in the group processes. The groups give energy into the individuals but it is equally imperative to indicate that “membership in a group provides a source of emotional support and identity, a security in one’s being, based on love and affection- quite apart from one’s value in an economic sense……… Such a group serves as a mediating structure, insulating the individual from the shocks of the larger society within which he or she is only one among faceless millions”, (Korten, C .D, 1990:303). It is important to appreciate that collective effort in the battle against poverty and associated issues goes along way in achieving its objectives and targets, it is the antithesis of individualism, through group effort ones problems are ‘de-pathologised’ and politicized to reflect the prevalent social economic and cultural pattern. Thus a person sees himself as a person with others and through that collective needs identification and strategizing are realized that have the integrated benefits of individual members of the group. Individuals no longer see their cases as an isolated personal problem but in association with others they see their problem from a broader horizon which facilitates the development of self esteem and self efficacy. Thus the structural social worker has a greater responsibility, that the group effort works to the greater contribution and benefit plus participation of all is members.
Criticism of the social structural justice approach to social
At the foremost it is imperative to appreciate the breadth and the strength that the structural social justice approach to social work can go in addressing issues of HIV/ AIDS, poverty, drug and substance abuse and other associated or related problems. As already alluded to the impact of unfair socio cultural, political and economic environment goes a long way in affecting people’s life. It is on this premise that we will appreciate the impact of the macro economic stagnation and political instability on the micro level, like in the Zimbabwe scenario. It is in such cases that the structural social justice approach has greater and far reaching results in people’s lives, for it looks at the sources of the individual’s troubles and oppression from a broader perspective.
It is imperative however to point out that the social structural justice approach fails short in meeting peoples individual needs, for it works better at the mezzo and macro levels where systems of oppression and inequality are rooted and transmitted to the micro level. It is worthy noting that clients apart from appreciating their source of problems and poverty have got an immense contribution to their problems either through learned behaviors or psychological circumstance of their situation. It is important to note that emotional, biological and psychological forces have got an equal determinant on peoples conditions, whether they are from the macro and mezzo systems of oppression or through individual interpersonal and intrapersonal functioning, they be looked at in a more holistic approach which requires the need to engage other social workers imperative alternatives to engaging with clients like the systems theory, cognitive and behavioral theories, the strength perspective, person centered theory and other approaches that may be appropriate in addressing and managing particular and individual cases. Otherwise the structural social justice approach to social work on its own though grounded on important aspects of peoples lives, is not adequate in achieving a holistic and sustainable livelihood for its beneficiaries- for clients equally need one to one personal attention and care from/with the social worker to achieve individual growth that equally empowers and liberates them from position of disadvantage.
References:
Graaff, J, 2001, Introduction to Sociology: Poverty and Development. Cape Town
Oxford University Press
Korten, C. D, 1990, Getting to the 21st Century: Voluntary Action and the Global Agenda. Kumarian press
Mullaly, R, 1998, Structural social work: ideology, theory and practice. North Carolina: Oxford University Press
Payne, M, 2005, Modern social work theories. New York: Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Rehnema, M, 1992, Poverty in Sachs, W, 1992: The Development Dictionary. London: Zed Books
Sewpaul, V1993, The family as a focus for intervention for the prevention of mental disorder: An empowerment approach in the Journal of social work/Maatskaplike Werk: 1993:29(3)
Sewpaul, V.2003: Reframing epistemologies and practice through international exchanges: Global and local discourses in the development of critical consciousness in Dominelli, L and Bernard W. T, 2003: Broadening the horizon: international exchange in social work.
Shragge, E: Community economic development: In search of empowerment and alternatives, Black Rose Books, Canada
An insight into poverty and associated issues.
The 21st century South Africa has many challenges in its way to socio economic growth that reflects people’s needs and the realization of a sustainable integrated livelihood; and the greatest of these numerous challenges is poverty which generates a number of related or associated problems like HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, prostitution, homelessness, child and spouse abuse. It is on this premise that we will seek to understand poverty and its associated problems; while at the same time we will try to seek a social workers theoretical imperatives in the management of and tackling poverty and associated problems. At the foremost it is important to acknowledge the impact of global capitalism and its influence on the domestic, as well as on the South African people’s social life.
Apart from the apartheid legacy, it is worthy noting that the advent of neo-liberal policies on the economic market system, advanced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank meant the reduction in the states responsibility over its people, thus people’s welfare, is left to the market forces. Through privatization of parasitatals- (government companies), opening up of the markets through reduction of tariff barriers and de-regulization of the labour rules and removal of subsidies on essential goods, we see a situation in which people’s social economic life is at the mercy of transnational companies who dictate the pace of the market, they have taken control of the states, and governments are at their mercy as well, dancing to their tunes and demands. It is this situation that has led to the closure of local industries especially in textile, because they cannot with stand the pressure exerted on them by the large multi national companies, thus resulting into heavy job losses and an increase in poverty at the grass roots- in essence capitalism has enlarged the gap between the poor and the rich, as Shragge (1993:7) puts it “the consequences of these economic changes is an expanding bottom and shrinking middle stratum.. More and more people are subject to periods of unemployment and precarious short term jobs”. The results of which are prostitution, substance abuse, HIV and AIDS, orphan hood and other social ills. An insight into the economic policies like the growth, employment and redistribution (GEAR) which is informed by capitalists ethos, would make us understand that capitalism is entrenched into the government structures and this entails the marginalization of the greater population. “Being poor frequently also means being subjected to physical abuse and violence, being subjected to humiliation and indignity, being subjected to exploitation by the powerful and the wealthy. It frequently involves experiences of humiliation, of hopelessness, of ill health, of indignity, of anxiety, of rejection and denigration, of powerlessness and insecurity of fatalism of being trapped in a terribly bleak place and of deep injustice (Graaff, J, 2001:6). It is at this far important to appreciate that structural social workers have got a greater responsibility to protect the individuals and the society from such socio economic ills and it is with this realization that a social structural justice approach to social work becomes an imperative alternative to the management of these prevailing social problems.
Social structural justice approach to social work.
The social structural justice approach to social work, this is a radical approach to social work practice, and it views individual or personal issues as part of the broader social economic, cultural and political processes; it appreciates the ideological hegemony that manipulates the society and cripples the conscience of the people. Thus with a social structural justice approach, social problems are viewed as grounded in the oppressive and inequitable cultural, socio economic and political structures. Thus as Sewpaul (2003:311) contends ‘the focus of analysis and change is on the systems of patriarchy, capitalism, institutional racism and sexism’. With this approach to social work in HIV/AIDS problems for example, focus is on the government- national, provincial and local government- policies on HIV and AIDS- questions like the following would be asked: what does the government say on HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation? Who does the government say should get the antiretroviral drugs and what are the criteria? At the same time the structural social worker looks beyond the symptoms, it is thus imperative to look at the broader processes that contribute to the escalation of the pandemic. It is with this kind of approach that social workers starts questioning institutional capitalism that is deeply ingrained in the government structures, through GEAR which is basically informed by capitalist’s ethos of growth, investments, profit accumulation, basically the promotion of urban efficiency, we see a situation where poverty escalates at the periphery of towns and cities and it is in those cases where prostitution, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, crime and homelessness thrive. Thus, in the foregoing social ills the structural social worker realizes that if change has to happen in the people, an environment should be created that is receptive and permissive to peoples needs- that which fosters the integrals development and nurturance of individuals potentials. It is thus a belief in structural social work that people as human beings have the inherent and intrinsic capacity to achieve or attain maximum potential but rather it is the broader social economic, political and cultural imbalances that inhibits growth and actualization. Thus the structural social worker aims at empowering people to be able to see themselves as part of the broader dynamic processes, this therefore avoids blaming the client as victims of their own choices and inabilities. The idea in social structural justice approach to social work is that if people have the capacity to have jobs and gain economic reliance their present situations would improve, although this does not assume that economic reliance is the sole variable for peoples integral development but rather with self reliance people will have the economic buying power which equally entails power over their own choices and needs, thus the structural social worker has greater responsibility to ensure that people have the power, power that enables them to have independent choices and decisions; and equally power that liberates them from power, ‘the state power’ (Rahnema, M, 1992:123). It is equally true that social justice is an intrinsic value and integral to people’s development, it is thus a greater responsibility for the structural social workers to ensure that the socio-cultural and economic environment is created for the propagation of a socially just world.
From this perspective then to understand individuals’ behavior, it is thus imperative to first reflect on the broader contexts in which they function as Sewpaul (2003:311) affirms, “the individual versus society is seen as a false dichotomy as private troubles cannot be understood and dealt with outside their socioeconomic, political and cultural contexts’. In simple and clear terms, to liberate people from structural disadvantage it is imperative to advocate for structural changes in socioeconomic and cultural dynamics that promote class systems. As Mullaly (1998:153) “the guiding principle for structural social work is that everything we do must in some way contribute to the goal of social transformation”. It is however important to note that, this does note mean structural social workers neglect the individual needs of the people, Mullaly ( 1998:153) states that “structural social work practice comprises a simultaneous two prolonged approach: (1) to provide practical humanitarian care to the victims and casualties of our patriarchal, liberal capitalist society; and (2) to restructure society along socialists lines”
Key concepts in structural social justice approach
Social structures.
These are socially created institutions that exist to organize and pattern individual social functioning and interaction. Some of which are families, schools, languages economy, culture, government and religion. For a structural social worker it is imperative to understand the dynamisms, the energy and synergy and politics behind these structures, for individuals are made and equally make these structures. “How the society is arranged around us has a strong influence on or determines our social relations” Payne (2005:230). Thus the structural social worker has a greater responsibility to understand how individuals affect and get affected by these structures, this helps the social worker to understand how inequality and power imbalances are perpetuated in the patriarchy-liberal capitalists systems. It is through understanding of the systems in which oppression and disadvantantage are procreated and reproduced that modalities and strategies would be made that would advocate for structures that are permissive for the creation of a socially just society for all people regardless of individuals socioeconomic, cultural, race, ethnic and political background and differences
Inequality.
This is a fundamental concept in structural social work, it is worthy noting that systems of patriarchy, capitalism, institutional racism and sexism create a gap in the interaction of people, they create some power imbalances based on illogically constructed socio-cultural and economic and political paradigms. It is important to appreciate that social cultural and economic inequality generates poverties- social, economic and cultural inadequacy. Inequality generates exclusion and robes people of their intrinsic and inherent values and power over their own lives and choices and it nurtures intellectual and psychological vulnerability and control for the benefit of the dominant groups. Thus the ‘creation’ of the poor, marginalized, alcohol and drug addicts, prostitutes and orphans. Safe guarding the society from the foregoing social ills is almost nigh unless the dominant values that propagate exclusion; discrimination and inequality of any kind are deconstructed. Thus it is imperative to say that “unless changes are made to the basic structures of oppression, which create and perpetuate an unequal and inequitable society, any social justice strategy will have limited value” Ife cited in Sewpaul (203:2003).
The person as political.
The person as political is another important concept in social structural social work; on this premise it is imperative to appreciate that in structural social justice the persona cannot be separated from politics, as Payne (2005:236) contends “because it is a critical theory therefore it includes both the interpersonal and political action which cannot be separated. Structural social worker appreciates that everyone was born with inherent rights that are supposed to be respected at any time, and it is through this that we appreciate the unfairness of distribution of the generated natural resources. On the other hand the truth on the ground is that other people are more equal than others and they benefit more at the expense of others and often times this happens with the knowledge that others are ignorant of the truth and their socioeconomic, cultural and political intrinsic abilities. It is this that creates systems of oppression to maintain the status quo by making people to live and believe in their inadequacy as fatalistic products of their failures - it is in this premise that the structural social worker realizes the political attachment of the persona and through critical engagement the client and the social worker embark on the a journey through a process of awareness that involves politicization of the clients so that they should see the sources of their troubles and structural disadvantage. It is through this critical engagement that people will see themselves as capable beings that have the potential to change the course of their lives; thus as Mullaly (1998:148) says we will be able to appreciate that “we are not only objects of the prevailing social order, we must also be subjects who are able to move beyond it” . Thus people will have the ability to reflect upon their lives and be able have their voices back that will grant them power to speak, Giroux in Sewpaul (2003:313) affirms this when he states that differences in power authorizes who speaks, how fully, under what conditions, against what issues, for whom and with what degree of consistence and institutionalized support.
Human beings as inherently potent.
It is a key assumption in social structural justice approach that human beings are inherently quite potent but that their sources of problems or failure to achieve actualization lies in the structural systems of oppression like the socio-cultural, economic and political system. It is thus a belief in the social structural social work that if people have to enjoy a better livelihood that is permissive to the expression of their potential and that which meets peoples integrated needs (psychological, biological, social and spiritual needs), thus changes should be made in the systems of oppression and unjust social structure as Sewpaul (2003: 311) affirms that ‘the focus of analysis and change is on the systems of patriarchy, capitalism, institutional racism and sexism’. Thus a society has to be created that is inclusive and permissive to people’s holistic and optimal growth.
Strategies in the helping process
Empowerment.
The process of empowerment in structural social work is a political process; in this process the focus is on two levels, the micro and the macro levels as Sewpaul (1993:189) puts it, “the process of increasing political power for the oppressed groups is viewed as empowerment at the macro level. Empowerment at the micro level refers to increasing personal power and control without change in structural arrangement”. This enables the oppressed majority to see themselves as capable individual and people who can contribute to the positive change in their lives; on the other hand this facilitates the reduction and avoidance of dependency. It is imperative to say that the conventional welfare system sometimes creates dependency; in that people are only viewed from a narrow linear perspective, that they are poor and the grants would assist them, this does not consider the multi factorial dynamics and the intrinsic ability and potential in the people, that is in hibernation due to capitalists order that keeps on suppressing their lives and choices. Thus the structural social worker enables the people to see themselves from a ‘strength perspective’ and builds on that to broaden their horizon of thinking through critical reflection and dialogue. It involves enabling people to have a critical reflection over their lives. This enables the people to see themselves not merely as individual but equally as people with others, which enables them to increasing their own self esteem and self efficacy. This enables people to have greater control over their own self and the choices they make. It is imperative to note that in issues of poverty and associated issues like HIV and AIDS, drug abuse, prostitution, child and spouse abuse- people see themselves as powerless and completely in a bleak state where they don’t have any choices. The social workers try to enact the individuals potentials through critical reflection on their lives so that people should be able to see themselves not as powerless entities but as people who have the capacity to change their life course by being active participants in the change process, thus the social worker plays a facilitator role, functioning on an equal footing with the clients. As Sewpaul (1993:190) affirms “the empowerment approach puts people or consumers in control, not professionals”.
This as a process, involves active participation by the client through an empathetic relationship that has its aim in soliciting knowledge and strengths from each other, for it is true that in this kind of set up the social worker and the client benefit from each others experiences and life course knowledge, which affirms that the social worker and the client are equal players benefiting from a horizontal based relationship that has completely the clients interests in its fold and not the vertical relationship that puts the social worker in position of authority and control. Empowerment involves making people aware of the socio cultural and political processes that affect them, and the starting point is at the level the clients are, which stresses for the need to listen and be actively involved with the client in an empathetic and non judgmental process. It is however important to note that empowerment can take place on two planes, firstly people should have the basic material needs that they need which entails and affirms the need for social grants to support the marginalized and the poor with an income which can keep them going and secondly it involves embarking on a journey that is rigorous, that of self discovery, it entails identifying own needs and embarking on a long term strategy to achieve a self sufficient and sustainable livelihood that encompasses an integrated and holistic change, in this the structural social worker takes the role of an animator, an active participant just like clients.
Consciousness- Raising.
At the foremost it is imperative to appreciate the impact and influence of hegemonic ideation on human life, it is on this premise that we will appreciate the way apartheid managed to incarcerate, and inculcate into the greater black majority into believing and being socialized into ‘social products’ that were deemed as less equal to the white minority. At this level, then we will appreciate that the structural social worker has the greater responsibility to assist the service users to discover their true identity, it is through conscientization and politicizing the service users that they will understand the sources of oppression and their troubles, it is through this that people can start to externalize and relate themselves with the broader social dynamics and processes. This then calls for the structural social worker to be more understanding and empathetic and be able to animate the clients so that they can re-live their past again through their own biography. It is worthy noting that a personal biography is a fundamental tool of enabling clients to be able to see themselves as products of different multi factorial influences on their lives as Sewpaul (2003:305) affirms “the power of the biography lies in its potential to reflect how power and /or powerlessness are reproduced in every day life experiences”. It is thus through a critical empathetic questioning, reframing and reflection that clients will be able to see themselves where they are coming from. It is also worthy noting that social or economic inequality or oppression is a bilateral process that encompasses the oppressed and the oppressor, thus the structural social worker has the greater responsibility of bringing knowledge to both groups, the oppressors and the oppressed so that a society is created that is socially permissive for the integral development of all citizens regardless of their color, race, creed and economic background. As Giroux cited in Sewpaul (2003:313) contends that this knowledge will assist ‘the dominant groups with the knowledge and histories to examine, acknowledge, and unlearn their own privilege and to deconstruct the centers of colonial power and the master narratives of racism”.
It is imperative to note that the starting point for problem solving is to identify the problem and the root causes, thus it is fair to say that consciousness- raising and politicization of individuals places them into a ‘corridor with light’ which enables them to see themselves as products of social, cultural, economic and political calculations with the aim of maintenance of power and social order. Thus consciousness raising brings forth the suppressed individuals true identity into the open. It is a difficult and tedious process but imperative to undertake as Leonard cited in Mullaly (1998:163) affirms “the hegemony of the ruling class involves the domination of its world view which drenches individual consciousness and which therefore must be actively struggled against at the level of consciousness”.
Collectivization
The process of consciousness-raising can be undertaken at an individual level or through organized groups which comprise people with similar issues but it is imperative to affirm that individual needs should always be put into consideration before individuals are integrated into groups and at the same time, empathy should always be shown to the clients in the process of partaking in the group processes. The groups give energy into the individuals but it is equally imperative to indicate that “membership in a group provides a source of emotional support and identity, a security in one’s being, based on love and affection- quite apart from one’s value in an economic sense……… Such a group serves as a mediating structure, insulating the individual from the shocks of the larger society within which he or she is only one among faceless millions”, (Korten, C .D, 1990:303). It is important to appreciate that collective effort in the battle against poverty and associated issues goes along way in achieving its objectives and targets, it is the antithesis of individualism, through group effort ones problems are ‘de-pathologised’ and politicized to reflect the prevalent social economic and cultural pattern. Thus a person sees himself as a person with others and through that collective needs identification and strategizing are realized that have the integrated benefits of individual members of the group. Individuals no longer see their cases as an isolated personal problem but in association with others they see their problem from a broader horizon which facilitates the development of self esteem and self efficacy. Thus the structural social worker has a greater responsibility, that the group effort works to the greater contribution and benefit plus participation of all is members.
Criticism of the social structural justice approach to social
At the foremost it is imperative to appreciate the breadth and the strength that the structural social justice approach to social work can go in addressing issues of HIV/ AIDS, poverty, drug and substance abuse and other associated or related problems. As already alluded to the impact of unfair socio cultural, political and economic environment goes a long way in affecting people’s life. It is on this premise that we will appreciate the impact of the macro economic stagnation and political instability on the micro level, like in the Zimbabwe scenario. It is in such cases that the structural social justice approach has greater and far reaching results in people’s lives, for it looks at the sources of the individual’s troubles and oppression from a broader perspective.
It is imperative however to point out that the social structural justice approach fails short in meeting peoples individual needs, for it works better at the mezzo and macro levels where systems of oppression and inequality are rooted and transmitted to the micro level. It is worthy noting that clients apart from appreciating their source of problems and poverty have got an immense contribution to their problems either through learned behaviors or psychological circumstance of their situation. It is important to note that emotional, biological and psychological forces have got an equal determinant on peoples conditions, whether they are from the macro and mezzo systems of oppression or through individual interpersonal and intrapersonal functioning, they be looked at in a more holistic approach which requires the need to engage other social workers imperative alternatives to engaging with clients like the systems theory, cognitive and behavioral theories, the strength perspective, person centered theory and other approaches that may be appropriate in addressing and managing particular and individual cases. Otherwise the structural social justice approach to social work on its own though grounded on important aspects of peoples lives, is not adequate in achieving a holistic and sustainable livelihood for its beneficiaries- for clients equally need one to one personal attention and care from/with the social worker to achieve individual growth that equally empowers and liberates them from position of disadvantage.
References:
Graaff, J, 2001, Introduction to Sociology: Poverty and Development. Cape Town
Oxford University Press
Korten, C. D, 1990, Getting to the 21st Century: Voluntary Action and the Global Agenda. Kumarian press
Mullaly, R, 1998, Structural social work: ideology, theory and practice. North Carolina: Oxford University Press
Payne, M, 2005, Modern social work theories. New York: Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Rehnema, M, 1992, Poverty in Sachs, W, 1992: The Development Dictionary. London: Zed Books
Sewpaul, V1993, The family as a focus for intervention for the prevention of mental disorder: An empowerment approach in the Journal of social work/Maatskaplike Werk: 1993:29(3)
Sewpaul, V.2003: Reframing epistemologies and practice through international exchanges: Global and local discourses in the development of critical consciousness in Dominelli, L and Bernard W. T, 2003: Broadening the horizon: international exchange in social work.
Shragge, E: Community economic development: In search of empowerment and alternatives, Black Rose Books, Canada
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