You are not needed. Nobody really wants to hear that, but as social workers fighting for justice, isn’t that what we really want to hear? I think it is hard for some people to recognize, including myself, that social workers need to be replaceable. Being replaceable isn’t the reason people get into social work. People get into social work so they can be that one special person that makes a difference in someone’s life and sometimes that feels like being the one person who someone can depend on. However, having a client depend on you is not how social workers are supposed to operate. Social workers are not supposed to do everything in their power to meet the clients needs, but rather connect the client with resources and empower the client to meet their own needs. By doing this, hopefully, in the future the client will be able to assert their own skills and no longer need the assistance of a social worker.
Therefore, not only is it important for social workers to be assertive on behalf of their clients, but it is also important for social workers to teach their clients how to be assertive for themselves. Assertion is described as, “the act of standing up for one’s own basic human rights without violating the basic human rights of others” (Kelly, 1979, as cited in Hardcastle & Powers, 2004, p. 218). I feel that many people who don’t have proper assertive skills attempt to advocate for their needs, but inadvertently interfere with another person’s needs. For instance, consider an individual who is facing an eviction and in their experience the only way they know how to get their needs met is to use physical violence and threats. If this individual attempts this, they could face criminal charges of assault on top of an eviction. However, if they had assertive skills, they could possibly work a deal with the landlord and avoid the eviction. According to Hardcastle and Powers, professionals view assertive training as a resource for clients and believe it can enhance social functioning and self-esteem (2004).
Maslows hierarchy of needs prioritizes physiological needs above psychological needs such as self-esteem. However, I would argue that in some circumstances, if an individual had their psychological needs met before some physiological needs, such as employment, they may be more successful in fulfilling their physiological needs. Take for example career centers. They work with individuals on their confidence and prepare them for the interview that could lead to employment. Therefore, assertiveness skills are necessary at any point in a person’s life, not just when physiological needs are met.
It can be difficult for a social worker to not just fix for the client what appears to need fixing. However, just like why the teacher doesn’t do homework for their student, social workers must show their client how and then encourage them to do the work themselves. Hence, instead of cleaning up a person’s mess, teach them how to clean it up themselves. I have found that many parents get caught in this trap. Parents often care so deeply for their children that they will do anything for them, but unfortunately, the children grow up, not knowing how to survive in the real world. Thus, I believe it is more important to teach clients how to be assertive, than to be assertive on behalf of your client. Granted both can be done. Clients can learn assertive skills by watching their social worker. However, at some point they must be their own advocate. After all, who knows their situation better than the client them self.
For good or for bad, there is no doubt that social workers will always be needed. No computer can replace the work that a social worker does. However, part of a social workers job that is often forgotten about is teaching the client to become more self-sufficient and to have less of a need for professional assistance. It isn’t exactly job security, but it will assist in making individual’s lives and society better.
Therefore, not only is it important for social workers to be assertive on behalf of their clients, but it is also important for social workers to teach their clients how to be assertive for themselves. Assertion is described as, “the act of standing up for one’s own basic human rights without violating the basic human rights of others” (Kelly, 1979, as cited in Hardcastle & Powers, 2004, p. 218). I feel that many people who don’t have proper assertive skills attempt to advocate for their needs, but inadvertently interfere with another person’s needs. For instance, consider an individual who is facing an eviction and in their experience the only way they know how to get their needs met is to use physical violence and threats. If this individual attempts this, they could face criminal charges of assault on top of an eviction. However, if they had assertive skills, they could possibly work a deal with the landlord and avoid the eviction. According to Hardcastle and Powers, professionals view assertive training as a resource for clients and believe it can enhance social functioning and self-esteem (2004).
Maslows hierarchy of needs prioritizes physiological needs above psychological needs such as self-esteem. However, I would argue that in some circumstances, if an individual had their psychological needs met before some physiological needs, such as employment, they may be more successful in fulfilling their physiological needs. Take for example career centers. They work with individuals on their confidence and prepare them for the interview that could lead to employment. Therefore, assertiveness skills are necessary at any point in a person’s life, not just when physiological needs are met.
It can be difficult for a social worker to not just fix for the client what appears to need fixing. However, just like why the teacher doesn’t do homework for their student, social workers must show their client how and then encourage them to do the work themselves. Hence, instead of cleaning up a person’s mess, teach them how to clean it up themselves. I have found that many parents get caught in this trap. Parents often care so deeply for their children that they will do anything for them, but unfortunately, the children grow up, not knowing how to survive in the real world. Thus, I believe it is more important to teach clients how to be assertive, than to be assertive on behalf of your client. Granted both can be done. Clients can learn assertive skills by watching their social worker. However, at some point they must be their own advocate. After all, who knows their situation better than the client them self.
For good or for bad, there is no doubt that social workers will always be needed. No computer can replace the work that a social worker does. However, part of a social workers job that is often forgotten about is teaching the client to become more self-sufficient and to have less of a need for professional assistance. It isn’t exactly job security, but it will assist in making individual’s lives and society better.
Good stuff and thanks for posting this!
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