DISCUSSION 1: Sociocultural Differences in Perspectives on Aging
Western cultures think of time in linear terms while other cultures perceive the passage of time in cyclical terms (Helman, 2005). Helman states, “The clock, the watch and the calendar are among the main cultural symbols of Western industrial society” (para. 3). How might a culture’s perception of time influence views of individuals in later adulthood? What other cultural differences might impact a people’s view of aging? This week, you explore different cultures’ perspectives on aging and consider how these differences might impact social work.
To prepare for this Discussion, research two cultures different from your own and compare their perspectives on aging to that of your own culture.
· Post a Discussion that compares your culture’s perspective on aging to the perspectives of the two cultures you researched.
· Explain why you think these differences exist. Also, explain how different perspectives on aging might impact social work practice.
Be sure to support your posts with specific references to the resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references.
References
Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Discussion 2: Social Policy: Child Abuse and Neglect
Protecting children from abuse and neglect is a cornerstone of the social work profession. Social work professionals strive to ensure that children grow into healthy, well-developed adults. They also develop, implement, and evaluate policy initiatives regarding child welfare. Such initiatives should aim to not only reduce child abuse and neglect, but also provide support for children’s development and resources that will enhance their well-being. As a social worker, to what extent do you understand the existing policies addressing child abuse and neglect? In addition, how prepared are you to propose new policy initiatives in this regard?
For this Discussion, review the resources, including the NASW’s policy statement on child abuse and neglect on the NASW website. Pick one of the NASW positions and consider a policy initiative you would introduce to further that initiative. Be sure to think about the policies that already exist in your state and how this initiative might alter existing policies.
· Post a brief description of the position you selected from the NASW policy statement on child abuse and neglect.
· Then, describe a policy initiative you might introduce to further that position.
· Finally, describe the policies that already exist in your state and explain how your initiative might alter these existing policies.
Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.
References
NASW. (2009). Social work speaks. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Child Abuse and Neglect (pp. 42–48)
Casey Family Programs. (2010). State child welfare policy database. Retrieved from http://www.childwelfarepolicy.org
The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2013). Kids count data center. Retrieved from http://www.datacenter.kidscount.org
