Publisher’s Thoughts
Dear Reader,
Summer is here, and this summer issue features articles on some “hot” topics!
Trevor Gates challenges us all to challenge heterosexism. Read his article on page 4 for six suggestions that all social workers can use.
Field placement can be a dream come true, or it can be a nightmare (or more likely, something in between). If your field placement is not going quite as you had hoped, Denice Goodrich Liley’s article on page 6 can help you look at the possible reasons. Is it simply a bad match, or could there be patterns in your own behavior that are contributing to the situation?
Speaking of introspection, recent graduate Winter Harmon shares insights she found when she looked inside herself as a senior social work student. Read “Social Work Leads to Search for Self” on page 8. Is grief something that needs to be “resolved”? Brian Garavaglia argues that it is not, and that reconciliation should be the goal, rather than resolution. In the past three issues, we featured a series of articles on international social work. In this issue, we continue this international focus with a first person account of an American social worker in London. Devon Rocha shares her experiences and provides tips to social workers who are interested in working abroad.
Social worker Diane Pagen was involved in the development of an innovative comic book that advocates for a caregiver tax credit! See my interview with her on page 16.
On page 18, Kathy Black gives a narrative account of the difficulties in conducting research with social workers and other disciplines in a hospital setting.
Annalise Millet examines the issue of gay and lesbian adoption on page 22.
Our career columnists, Regina Praetorius and Laura Lawson continue their exploration of career transitions on page 24.
Until next time—happy reading! Linda May Grobman, ACSW, LSW, Publisher/Editor Table of ContentsStudent Role Model:
Libby Berry
In this issue, Barbara Blank provides a close-up look at Libby Berry, MSW student at Monmouth University.
by Barbara Trainin Blank
page 3
Ethics: Challenging Heterosexism: Six Suggestions for Social Work Practice
Heterosexism is defined as “discrimination in favor of heterosexual and against homosexual people,” based on the assumption that heterosexuality is the only so-called normal, and preferred, way of living. Social worker Trevor Gates provides suggestions for challenging heterosexist cultures in our agencies.
by Trevor Gates
page 4
Field Placement: Mirror Mirror on the Wall...Could It Be Me?
Imagine, if you will, that you have been selected for the practicum of your dreams. But the dream quickly becomes a nightmare! Is it your field instructor’s fault, or a problem with the agency? Or is it you?
by Denice Goodrich Liley
page 6
Social Work Leads to Search for Self
Winter Harmon shares insights she gained as a senior field placement student at Richard Stockton College.
by Winter Harmon
page 8
Avoiding the Tendency to Medicalize the Grieving Process: Reconciliation Rather Than Resolution
Professionals and laypersons alike often speak about the time it takes to “resolve” grief. Yet, grief work may be best viewed as a process of reconciliation rather than resolution.
by Brian Garavaglia
page 10
An American Social Worker in London
Devon Rocha reports on her experience and provides tips to social workers who want to work in London.
by Devon Rocha
page 13
The Adventures of Carrie Giver: An Advocacy Comic Book
An interview with social worker Diane Pagen about this new advocacy comic book.
by Linda May Grobman
page 16
Research: Conducting Interdisciplinary Research With Social Workers
Conducting research can be a daunting experience. This narrative account is written to share the writer’s experiences conducting interdisciplinary research with social workers in the acute care setting.
by Kathy Black
page 18
Perspectives on Gay and Lesbian Adoption
Every day across the nation, hundreds of thousands of children languish in the foster care system. Yet, legislation is introduced yearly to restrict the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt children.
by Annalise Millet
page 22
Career Talk: Career Transitions Revisited
The broadness and diversity of social work allows the opportunity for people to transfer within the social work field to other practice roles, from other fields to social work practice, and within practice settings.
by Regina Trudy Praetorius and Laura Lawson
page 24
Electronic Connection: Privacy of Health Information Threatened by Health Information Technology Legislation
On June 15, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Psychoanalytic Association sponsored a Capitol Hill briefing on the importance of the right to health information privacy.
page 26
Social Work Around the Map page 21 News of the Profession page 29 Books page 30 Classified Ads page 32
|
