Comments on: The Journal Sentinel asked questions, I answered

By: JCG

JCG — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:38:37 +0000

Wish I lived in South Milwaukee so I could vote for you. I found your answers impressive. The promise to visit the PTO’s on a regular basis immediately reminded me of a certain U.S. Senator, but more importantly you’re absolutely right about that. Best of luck.

0 likes

By: Zach W

Zach W — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:36:06 +0000

Thanks Rich. As for your mental image of the guitar playing hippy teacher from Beavis and Butthead, let me just say I don’t play the guitar. In fact, I don’t play any musical instruments, though I did play a mean harmonica when I was a kid (thanks to my grandma).

Rich, I know what the common perception of social workers is, and I think it’s really an unfair perception. Sure, there are social workers who do fit the description that you provided, but for every “guitar playing hippy” who wants to just throw money at all of society’s problems, there are an equal number of folks who want to solve society’s problems in a manner that’s pragmatic and won’t necessarily break the bank.

0 likes

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:29:38 +0000

I have to admit when I saw your degree listed as social work, I had a mental image of the guitar playing hippee teacher from Beavis and Butthead that would habitually say, “Um kay.”

And yes, I admit that many of the social workers I know only seem to want solve every problem with more money to hold hands and sign kumbaya with and they seem to fear being judged by metrics/results.

But yes, we need true rehab and balance. And that rehab likely starts in about the third grade.

Good luck to you.

0 likes

By: Zach W

Zach W — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:17:41 +0000

Rich, I do think there is a bias that exists among some individuals/groups who do believe social workers are “soft” on crime, school discipline, welfare, the poor, etc., but I don’t get a lot of that in my occupation, simply because I’m not a social worker in the strictest sense. My job is a blend of law enforcement/social work, but my first priority is to protect the community.

As to how I’ve responded to those perceptions, I just point out that it is possible to want to hold people accountable while also working to help them bring about lasting change in their lives. After all, if we gave up on every individual who’s on welfare or who has a criminal record as being unsalvageable, our society would be a lot worse off than it already is. I know it’s possible to strike a balance between being empathetic and being a pushover; the key is convincing others that it’s possible.

0 likes

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:08:47 +0000

Do you ever run into perceptions that Social Workers are “soft” on crime/school discipline, on welfare, on the poor, and on fiscal restraint in general?

If so, when confronted with these biases, how do you respond?

0 likes