I want to study social work at Uni but my mum is dead set gainst it.?

Question

ive become basionate about studying social work at uni (2008 entry, so ive got a year yet) but my mum is dead against it. shes said that she will not pay for it because its a pointless degree and that i will not suit the degree and career. what can i do to show her that this really is what i want to do with my life and that its not her choice. she wants me to do french on its own.

PLEASE HELP ME

Answer 1

I think many have addressed the reality that a social work degree is a much more marketable degree than French. Social work usually ends up as one of the top 10 fields of practice (we have no shortage of social problems, but a real shortage of people who can work with the problems and their effects.)

The issue that you mom does not think you are well suited to the degree is one you could address by doing some volunteer work working with people and showing her you are well suited for this type of work. You might get involved in your school in some service learning or internship opportunities (many schools will give you academic credit for this - this may also help her to see it is a serious profession).

You might also interview and/or meet with some social workers in your area to get a sense of their jobs (you could even take your mom to these, so she can hear it as well).

Meeting with a career coach is also a viable option.

DA

Answer 2

If you have a year to go before you can enter then do yourself a favor and find some volunteer work in the field. It will serve two purposes...it will give you some reality of the Social Work arena and it will show your mum that you are serious. Both of you might learn something that you didn't know...
I don't know what part of the world you are from but in the USA the social work field is going to the private sector which is turning it into a business venture with a hope for capital gain... not a healthy format for social work services. Can't speak for other parts of the world. I do know that Social Work has its ups and downs throughout history and for whatever reason is portrayed as an insensitive view of peoples needs despite the fact that most social workers are really very caring people who want to help others to the best of their ability. Perhaps your mother had an unfortunate run in with the system when she was younger...it can happen sometimes. Social Work is often the unhappy job of setting wrongs right which means dismantling families sometimes either temporarily or permanently. So although the idea is wonderful to read about and look at through a documentary...it doesn't always mean that the whole ball game is a load of good humanitarian deeds. Good Luck on whatever you choose to do.

Answer 3

Social work is not a pointless degree. Show your mother the prospectus and check out the extra grants/bursaries you might get doing this degree.

As you have a year until you go to uni, show how committed you are to it by doing some voluntary work - places like Sure Start are always looking for volunteers. Also, try getting a part time job in an old people's home - this will test whether you could handle the messier parts of social work even if this is not what you want in the future. It won't hurt to get your hands dirty to prove you can do this and succeed.

Answer 4

Wow. That's a tough situation. I think you need to use some psychology on her.

She can't seriously object to social work because its not a good career - there are tons more jobs for people in social work than in speaking French! So, maybe she's concerned about you working with poor people or drug addicts or some concern like that.... And she thinks she knows more about what you like than you do? That can't be right either, can it?

So, maybe what you should do is make it clear to her that you are set on this job. You cant do that by arguing, but you can do it by example. So, get a volunteer job doing social work. Tell her everyday how much you love it and how great it is to be helping people. Don't argue. Just be positive and consistent. Is there a magazine that is aimed at social workers? Ask one of the people you work with at the volunteer job about how they got involved. Attend some workshops or do something that shows your mum the commitment you have in this direction.... tell her you want to learn some other language besides French because more people in the social work client group speak that other language....

Don't make this a fight. Make it a day by day job of convincing her by your actions, not your words, that you really love this stuff and enjoy it and have a talent for it.

It's your life so you need to take charge and not let anyone else run it.

And, keep in mind that she might be right. She loves you and wants the best for you. So, if you try out some social work and you find you dont like it,then dont be afraid to admit that its not the right thing for you. That would be bad! if you went in to social work just to spite her!!!!!

Good luck.

Answer 5

It is so not a pointless degree i work in foster care and we so need more social workers some of these children see the social worker and the only ongoing person in there life and although you cant help every child helping 1 in 100 get a solid and caring family life at the end is rewarding in its self, i think your mum should be proud that your going to uni at all rather than sitting on a park bench in a dead end job with a bottle of cider good on you...

Answer 6

She may be coming from the point of view that a lot of times in a social work job you don't get paid a lot of money. She is probably thinking of how much money you make is what defines success.

It's your life and you should major what you want to major in. I say go for it.

Also if she isn't willing to let you do social work, is there a way for you to compromise? Like possibly major in social work, and minor in French or maybe even a double major would suit you. (Also if you are getting into social work, I'd look into learning Spanish not French.)

Good Luck!

Answer 7

I'm a former university teacher and would like to make three points:
1.It is quite fatal to enlist for a course because someone else wants you to. It's a very free existence at university. The best chance you have of doing well, and giving it the necessary commitment, is to do a course that deep in your heart you want to do.
2.Social Work is a very sensible choice as it could lead to a useful career.
3.Anyway, you badly need to improve your level of literacy before you are ready for university.
Good luck.

Answer 8

FRENCH?!?!?! She thinks FRENCH is a worthwhile major but won't let you study social work?! Take it from somebody that's been there, it is definitely NOT pointless. I'd be dead by now if it weren't for the kind people who took on that responsabilty. You should follow your heart on this one. Tell your nother firmly that it isn't her choice and be prepared to pay for it on your own. You shouldn't be bound by what your mother wants.

Answer 9

Your Mum shouldn't try to live your life for you as you have to make your own choices. Just try to talk to her & explain how passionate you are about social work. Have you got any careers advisors at school/ college as they might have a word with her for you. It's important that you study something you are interested in.

Answer 10

if ur hart is set on becoming a social worker then go for it
find work and pay for ur own studies if need be. that way u might just show ur mum how much it means to u and that nothing will stand in ur way and maybe after she realises this
she will start supporting u in ur carreer choice and maybe even help pay for ur studies.......