Due Tonight By Tomorrow 8 Pm New York Time - APA Format, 12
Due Tonight By Tomorrow 8pm New York Timeapa Format 12 Page To 1 Page
Respond to two colleagues (Heath Richards & Thomas Snipes) by refuting or supporting either your colleagues' analysis of the marginalization and oppression of individuals with disabilities or supporting or refuting their analysis of the role of the social worker in working with clients with disabilities. Respond to two colleagues (James Johanson & Debra Bravo) by supporting or refuting your colleagues' analysis of disability as a social construct or your colleagues' analysis of the intersectionalities in the Parker case and how they marginalize and impact Stephanie. Be sure to reference the Parker Family Case as provided in the video link and uploaded PDF in these responses.
Paper For Above instruction
The multifaceted nature of disability continues to invite significant scholarly discourse, especially concerning marginalization, oppression, and the social construct of disability. The Parker Family case serves as a critical lens through which to examine these issues, revealing how societal perceptions and systemic structures influence individual experiences. In this paper, I will analyze the arguments posed by colleagues regarding the marginalization of individuals with disabilities, the role of social workers, the social construction of disability, and intersectionality, specifically in the context of the Parker case and its impact on Stephanie.
Marginalization and Oppression of Individuals with Disabilities
The marginalization and oppression of individuals with disabilities stem largely from societal attitudes rooted in ableism, which favors able-bodied individuals over those with disabilities (Reis & Gojman, 2015). Colleagues like Heath Richards argue that systemic barriers perpetuate inequality; I support this view, emphasizing that these barriers are reinforced by societal stereotypes and exclusionary practices. The Parker case vividly demonstrates this, as Stephanie faces institutional and familial marginalization due to her disability (Laureate Education, 2013). Institutional policies often overlook the individual agency of persons with disabilities, leading to their social exclusion and internalized oppression.
Opposition often claims that societal change is slow, and progress requires intentional advocacy. Supporting this stance, scholars highlight that social workers play a pivotal role in addressing these injustices by advocating for inclusive policies and empowering clients (Mapp & Young, 2018). Social workers are integral in challenging stigma and facilitating access to resources, fostering resilience and self-advocacy among marginalized populations.
The Role of Social Workers in Supporting Clients with Disabilities
Social workers serve as crucial agents of change, tasked with promoting social justice and equitable treatment for persons with disabilities (National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2017). They must recognize systemic barriers and work collaboratively with clients to develop strategies for empowerment. In the Parker case, social workers are positioned to advocate for Stephanie’s rights and ensure her participation in decision-making processes, counteracting systemic oppression.
However, critics argue that social workers sometimes reinforce existing hierarchies and may lack sufficient training in disability issues. It is essential for social work education to incorporate comprehensive training on disability rights, intersectionality, and cultural competence, enabling practitioners to provide holistic and sensitive support (Pardeck, 2018). This aligns with the perspective that social workers must go beyond individual casework and engage in policy advocacy to dismantle systemic barriers.
Disability as a Social Construct
The concept of disability as a social construct, as discussed by James Johanson, underscores that disability is not solely a medical condition but also shaped by societal reactions and environmental barriers (Oliver, 1996). This perspective shifts the focus from individual deficits to societal responsibility for inclusion. The Parker case exemplifies this notion, where Stephanie’s disability is compounded by societal attitudes and inaccessible environments (Laureate Education, 2013).
Contrarily, critics argue that framing disability solely as a social construct may overlook the genuine physical and psychological challenges faced by individuals. Nevertheless, recognizing disability as socially constructed emphasizes the importance of societal change—adapting environments, policies, and attitudes to foster inclusivity. This aligns with the social model of disability, which advocates for removing societal barriers to enable full participation.
Intersectionality and Marginalization in the Parker Case
Debra Bravo’s analysis of intersectionality in the Parker case highlights how multiple social identities—race, class, disability—intersect to marginalize Stephanie further. Intersectionality, a concept introduced by Crenshaw (1991), reveals that oppression is not additive but multiplicative, creating unique experiences of discrimination. In Stephanie’s case, her gender, disability, and socio-economic status intertwine, exacerbating her vulnerability (Plummer et al., 2014).
Research supports that intersectionality is critical for understanding broader systems of oppression and designing effective interventions (Bowleg, 2012). In practice, social workers must adopt an intersectional approach to address complex disparities, ensuring that services are culturally competent and sensitive to multiple identities.
This analysis aligns with the Parker case findings, where addressing Stephanie’s multifaceted identity requires a nuanced understanding of how systemic inequalities operate to marginalize her uniquely. Failure to consider intersectionality risks oversimplifying her experiences and perpetuating systemic neglect.
Conclusion
The examination of these issues through the Parker family case underscores the importance of adopting a holistic, intersectional, and social constructionist approach in social work practice. Social workers must advocate for systemic change, challenge societal stereotypes, and respect the agency of persons with disabilities. Education and policy reforms are essential for dismantling barriers and fostering a more inclusive society where all individuals can thrive.
References
- Bowleg, L. (2012). The problem with the phrase women and minorities: Intersectionality—an important theoretical framework for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 102(7), 1267-1273.
- Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299.
- Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Parker Family (Episode 30) [Video file]. In Sessions . Retrieved from Plummer, S. B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
- Mapp, S., & Young, K. (2018). Social justice and social work practice. Social Service Review, 92(3), 383-410.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2017). Code of Ethics.
- Oliver, M. (1996). Understanding disability: From theory to practice. Macmillan.
- Pardeck, J. T. (2018). Social work’s role in disability advocacy. Advances in Social Work, 19(2), 431–445.
- Reis, S. M., & Gojman, L. (2015). Ableism and social justice. Social Work, 60(3), 219–227.
- Plummer, S. B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.