The Life Course and Social Workers Essay - 2668 Words

â€Å"The life course is the progression and path an individual takes from conception to death, and considers that the whole life of the individual presents opportunities for development, change and growth† (Crawford and Walker 2010). Being aware of what life course one’s on and the impact of transitions within a person’s life course is important for social work practice. It is important that social workers reflect on both their own and other’s experiences throughout the life course and support this understanding within the various theoretical frameworks. It helps us to understand the common themes which have affected people through the age and helps us understand why people behave the way they do in certain situations.â€Å"Understanding of life†¦show more content†¦Social workers must strive â€Å"for a full understanding of the complex interactions between the client and all levels of the social and physical system as well as meaning that the client assigns to each of these interactions† (Andreae, 1996, p. 605). In order to illustrate a key stage in the life course, I will be looking at the area of adolescence because I believe that this is one of the most critical life stages, with so many immense transitions young people go through. I have chosen to focus on adolescence because of a commitment to working with these vulnerable individuals aged from 14 to 19. We can no doubt all reflect on wrong choices we felt we made in our adolescence, and how our education and employment prospects may have benefited from good advice at this crucial juncture in life. I want to be able to guide vulnerable adolescents in the right direction and help them make the right choices, by understanding their needs, and supporting them in practical ways to live fulfilling and independent lives. From personal experience, I sincerely believe that with the right kind of guidance and attention, troubled teenagers can get back on track. The adolescence stage in one’s life is often portrayed as a time of ‘storm and stress’ (Lipsitz, 1980). However, there areShow MoreRelatedThe Emerging Adulthood Of A Homosexual Male1357 Words   |  6 Pagesof A Homosexual Male† Throughout life, each individual is shaped by meaningful interactions and events that he or she encounters. On the other hand, viewing their life from the life course perspective, which entails biological, psychological, and social factors that act independently, cumulatively, and interactively to mold one’s life from conception to death, allows one to understand the individual from a clearer perspective (Hutchinson, 2015). As social workers, we are obligated to enhance theRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemma Of Child Abuse1419 Words   |  6 Pagesharmed and neglected. The assumption is that social workers should always protect client confidentiality, unless there is a reason to do otherwise. However, in many cases social workers are likely to disagree if the circumstances rise to the level required for disclosure of confidential information without client consent or if they don’t. 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