making sense of our world

7/27/2019 MAKING SENSE OF OUR WORLD

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In trying to make sense of the world we and others live in, we need to consider the total situation

(or context) in which an event occurs. This means we take into account all the factors, or the total

set of circumstances which could impact on the event. Thus, this paper seeks to discuss the

meaning of level environment and it clearly shows its relevance.It has been presented that

social work practice does not take place in a vacuum. It is practiced in both the physical

environment which includes (things such as climate, land and buildings) and the social

environment (all the social factors, economic, cultural psychological and historical).

Social work is a discipline involving the application of social theory and research methods to

study and improve the lives of people, groups, and societies. It incorporates and uses other social

sciences as a means to improve the human condition and positively change society's response to

chronic problems, such as poverty and homelessness. Social work is also the name of the

profession committed to the pursuit of social justice, to the enhancement of the quality of life,

and to the development of the full potential of each individual, family, group, and community in

society. It seeks to simultaneously address and resolve social issues at every level of society and

economic status, but especially among the poor and sick.

Level environment in social work refers to the surrounding in which social work practice is

being practiced.There are three levels of environment in the service practices in the Social Work

industry: Micro, Mezzo, and Macro. According to Bernisten (2007:18) Social Work can be a

very rewarding field to be involved in however, at the same time it can by very complex as

well. Social workers deal with many different issues and are around a lot of domestic and

societal challenges. Some find out that they have a hard time dealing with the challenges and

have to change the focus in their field. Social Work can be very empowering and rewarding

when a worker helps a client find empowerment in their own life and the worker helps them get

back on their feet.

Social workers on the micro level work with clients on an individual basis or one on one. Thiscould be a Case Manager in a foster care facility. They will tend to the needs of the client or

individual and assist them wherever they can.

The micro service worker or clinical social worker also bears responsibility for initiating change

in organizations and communities. Workers in micro level roles are often the first to recognize

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patterns indicating the need for change (Agnew,2004). If one or two persons present a particular

problem, a logical response is to deal with them as individuals. However, as more individuals

present the same situation, it may become evident that something is awry in the systems with

which these clients are interacting. The social worker must then assume the responsibility for

identifying the system(s) in need of change and the type of change needed. The nature of the

system(s) in need of change and the type of change needed may lead to communitywide

intervention or intervention in a single organization.

Suppose, for example, the staff in a senior center discover that a number of elders in the

community are, because of self-neglect, socially isolated and possibly malnourished. A

caseworker could follow up on each person, one at a time, in an attempt to provide outreach and

needed services. But this could take a long time and produce hit-or-miss results. An alternative

would be to deal with the problem from a macro perspectiveto invest time in organizing

agency and community resources to identify older people who need the senior centers services

and to ensure that services are provided through a combination of staff and volunteer efforts.

This may seem like a complex undertaking for someone who came into social work expecting to

work with people one at a time. Kabaso (2012:23) argues that although it is true that macro-level

interventions can be complicated, Social workers must attempt to provide a somewhat systematic

approach that attempts to make such efforts more manageable. Remember, too, that these

interventions are typically accomplished with the help of others, not alone.

At the mezzo social work level the social worker usually works with families or small groups.

Mezzo practice is the middle level of practice of social-work. According to Balopal (2000:6)

Menzo comes between micro level practice and macro level practice. Mezzo practice is

described as the relations being interpersonal, which is less familiar than the relations, which is

associated, with life of family. In view of the above, Mezzo practice is designed in such a way

to modify system which affects the clients, like family, classroom or peer-group, directly.

Mezzo practice is the field which deals in designing enterprises particular environment. Similar

to micro-level, on mezzo-level innovative designs of steering and organization should be highly-

developed. Measures which are important and the fields which are relevant on mezzo level have

been mentioned below: -

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The policy of infrastructure shall provide assurance that the disadvantages in respect of

communication and transport dont demolish competitive benefits in production. Industries

which are successful should be capable of having faith on modern-infrastructure.

Main motive of the policy of education is to provide solid and wide staple education to all

natives of the state. Further reaching offers of education should be open for maximum number of

people. Productive-sectors needs should also be considered.

The policy of trade protects and supports branches which are certain for limited time period. The

policy of technology promotes uninterrupted process of modernization of industries by

disseminating new procedures of techniques and concepts of organization.

Impulses are given by state for constructing new subdivisions. The policy of environment

prevents humans and recourses from natures overexploitation and gives guarantee for both

ecological and economic efficiency. Policy of mezzo level shall continue selective along with

this shall aim at building dynamic nucleus of industry and effective location sooner, which will

have exhilarating spillover impression on areas which are developed less. Policy on mezzo level

of social work practice should have concentration on clusters of industries with developments

potential.

On the macro Social Work level the worker will be working with larger groups and larger

organizations. A macro practice would be working to make new laws or change the current laws

that slow the growth of the client population. If you decide to work in social services or are

currently working in social services you will find yourself working the macro, micro and mezzo

social work level (Axim,2008).

Understanding the professional mission of social work that integrates micro and macro

interventions and respects the practitioners who perform those roles is essential to recognizing

why macro practice is important. Essentially, social workers have a mission to join the strengthsof doing both/and, being able to intervene with an individual service recipient and then

skillfully moving into a larger system intervention that will make a difference in the lives of

multiple individuals.

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Similarly, the person-is-political perspective underscores the belief that individuals cannot be

viewed separate from the larger society. The actions or lack of actionsof individuals

influence those around them and may have broad implications for others within an organization

or a community. Thus, micro and macro roles are interconnected.

Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. "Clients"

is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination,

oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These activities may be in the form of

direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation, administration, advocacy,

social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and

evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs.

Social workers also seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other

social institutions to individuals' needs and social problems.

In conclusion, the term level environmentto a social worker is not just a corrective term for

the surrounding where people live in a particular geographical location. Level environment

expresses the idea that people identify with the area in which they/we and the people living there,

and what to have a say in how things are governed and developed. Its a normative concept that

includes an individual, groups, families and the community as a whole. By using different levels

(micro, mezzo and macro) when examining the environment we have a an analytical structure

with which to view and solve peoples problems.

References

Agnew, Elizabeth N. (2004). From Charity to Social Work: Mary E. Richmond and the

Creation of an American Profession. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press

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Axinn, June and Mark J. Stern (2008). Social Welfare: A History of the American Response

to Need (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon

Balgopal, Pallassana R. (2000). Social Work Practice with Immigrants and Refugees . New

York, NY: Columbia University Press.

Bernistern Andrew (2007) Social Work: A beginners Text, South Africa: Juta & Company

Kabaso Sydney (2012) Social Work in Zambia, Ndola: Mission Press

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