I am training to be a child protection social worker and it just seems everyone i talk to looks at me very strangely when i tell them my career aims.
I haven't changed, but it seems social workers seem to be feared / hate figures and just wondered why.
After all we are not there to take peoples children away, quite the opposite really.
2007-02-03 10:51:56 · 12 answers · asked by elizc_uk 1 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
In reading some of the above answers the respondant seem to think that it is fairly easy to take children away from their mother and/or father. in reality it is a very hard process. There have been many children who NEEDED to be removed from the home and because of laws, proceedures, and various other reasons the child was not removed... look into the case of Adam Mann. He should have been removed permanately instead of temporarly, and as a result he was basically murdered.
I understand what you are saying because I also am in school working towards being a social worker, but my interest is in mental health. My sister is currently in the state hospital and my mother absolutely can not stand her social worker. BUT the reason why is because her social worker does not stand up for her. He is not very assertive when it comes to my sister's wishes that the rest of the treatment team do not agree with.
when i started back to school my parents were very very against me being a social worker (even though this was before my sisters experience). They did not see that i could really become anything.
well to make a long story short, i believe the reason people do not like social workers...
1) they do not understand what it truly takes to be a social worker and they believe that a social worker has LOTS of power
2) they have had a bad experience with another social worker
3) those who do not have experience with a social worker does not realize how much strength of character it takes for an individual to be a social worker after all not everyone would willingly help those who are vulnerable.
Stick with it and we can both help the future of the world in some small way!
2007-02-03 11:48:40 · answer #1 · answered by smomus 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People are so terrified of social workers?? I think in general you are probably right. It is a tough, tough career without a lot of thanks from the people you work with and probably not a lot of understanding from your own family or friends.
Probably people look strangely at you because if you choose this career, you will deal with people's problems and a lot of heartbreak. You will not always be able to help. You will have to make quick and very controversial decisions that will need experience and judgement, which maybe was hard even for people like King Solomon in the Bible. You will have to follow government rules, that often are not right or just simply crazy.
Yet, social workers often really do the right thing and we need honest, good people working in this field. We need the government to take kids away from abusing parents or crazy situation. But often your family or friends or "people" just can not understand the good that you will or could do...and they only look at the trouble and bad and conflict and feel sorry for you because you may have enough of that in your life without asking for more by choosing it as a career?
But follow your heart and choose your career and life on your own. That way, you will not have regrets, it will be your decision. There is also "wisdom in the words and advice of your family and friends" so listen to them too. But make your own choices and in the end, there is no doubt as a social worker you could seriously help, not hurt, many many people.
2007-02-03 11:13:22 · answer #2 · answered by Sengokuguy 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because you have the power to take our children away from us.
My ex-husband stopped paying child support on my oldest son when he was laid off. After six weeks he moved and found a new job. He still refused to pay and turn over his new employment information to CSE after months of not getting any support I filed an abandonment warrant on him. In response to my warrant he called DFACs on me and reported me as abusive to my children. This led to a case worker continually visiting my house for months. During this time there was an accident that led to my son going to the emergency room. Although she believed me when I told her it was an accident.
My case worker was very friendly and helped me find resources when my husband was laid off. Just the thought of someone with the power to take my kids away if they do not think you are doing a good job is pretty scary and even though she was nice and friendly I am glad I will not be seeing her anymore.
You can become a social worker and do a wonderful job. I know some kids need protecting from there parents. I am glad there are people out there like you and my case worker to do it. I just can't see you being welcomed by many people you come in contact with through your job.
2007-02-03 11:22:27 · answer #3 · answered by Karen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Dept of Health and Human Resources is a state agency. We have the power and the law behind us to remove children found to be in danger. It is natural for people, including me, to become a bit hostile if someone tried to take my kids. I am a Licensed Clinical (psych and addiction) Social Worker and I found working in the constraints of the State System was disappointing at best. I left that career after 5 yrs. of college and 6 yrs of employment, with a hand full of recommendations from my peers and doctors I worked with. It does not pay well.
2007-02-03 11:35:18 · answer #4 · answered by dtwladyhawk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a social worker and know exactly what you are talking about. Unfortunately, the media makes us look bad. People seriously think we can take away a child for absolutely no reason. When in reality there has to be pretty hard core evidence.
2007-02-03 11:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by mickyg 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When your main job is... well, people, it's just how it is. When your main job is people and their problems, you could be seen as meddling in their affairs, which, most people don't like especially if it's from a stranger they do not know.
I personally do not find social workers to be scary. I have been with two for some of my issues, and neither of them seemed like anyone I should be terrified about... some people are just ignorant.
2007-02-03 17:23:17 · answer #6 · answered by onlyoneinall 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well from people I know it seems like social workers are just the governments way of 'meddling' with their families.
If someone has problems, they generally don't tend to like others examining them. Shame really, since I don't know many social workers who do it for the huge salary lol. Even if you try to help people, most won't appreciate it.
2007-02-03 11:00:58 · answer #7 · answered by callum828 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Media portray CPS (child protective services) very negatively and then rumors spread from those who have had bad experiences. Negative experience and rumors spread a lot faster then anything positive. Also they may not understand the system is there to help them and reunite families if this is possible. People fear what they don't understand.
2007-02-03 11:40:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a social worker who works for free to help children and families. I work very hard cases for no money, and I do not work for any agency. I work for myself, charging nothing, just helping to counsel the students in school, and to help them, as well as being a court advocate for them.
2016-05-24 00:40:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's a "guilty until proven innocent" situation and you CAN take kids away. All it takes is for your kid to trip and get a mark, coupled with some busybody who doesn't like you because you asked her to turn her stereo down at 1am, and pow....you have issues.
2007-02-03 10:56:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋