overty is associated with poor health outcomes, problems with housing, despair, low self-esteem, and stunting of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. What can social workers do to reduce the number of individuals and families living in poverty?

WEEK 5 QUESTIONS:
1) Question: Poverty is associated with poor health outcomes, problems with housing, despair, low self-esteem, and stunting of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. What can social workers do to reduce the number of individuals and families living in poverty?

2) PLEASE RESPOND TO MY PEER DIANNA:
Poverty is associated with poor health outcomes, problems with housing, despair, low self-esteem, and stunting of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. What can social workers do to reduce the number of individuals and families living in poverty?

In America, there are 140 million poor and low-income people (Pace, 2024). According to Strier (2021), poverty is a social problem that affects individuals, families, and communities. There are complex life circumstances for people living in poverty such as economic distress, rights being taken away from them, little to no access to healthcare or education, etc. In a sense, poverty-stricken people may be deprived of adequate shelter, nutritious food, and medical treatment.

The code of ethics for social workers requires them to advocate for and demand social justice for people living in poverty. Social worker’s attitudes and points of view towards poverty should be open-minded and free from bias and judgments. Social workers need to understand that poverty is not due to laziness or not wanting to work, it is systemic. They need to not harbor negative feelings towards poor people.

Social workers often witness the impact of poverty on families firsthand. They should have a multi-dimensional approach to the poor which includes social, cultural, and relational that emphasizes equal rights in society. The social worker should conduct risk assessments and apply an individual intervention approach. They can partner with community organizations to refer clients. Essentially the social worker should work on all levels, micro, meso and macro to help the client.

Poverty in all forms along with the stigma that goes with it can often be difficult for that individual or family unit. There are psychological as well as physical impacts on that person and social workers can refer them to counseling as well as a safe house and proper medical care to prevent future harm. Regarding housing, they can help prevent evictions that are happening to reduce homelessness. Whether on a national or local level, the social worker helps the poor by advocating and campaigning for better social policies. They can help to find jobs and sign up for Medicaid/Medicare and food stamps as well.

Reference:

Strier, R., Nouman, H. & Kantarovich, N. (2021). Knowing Poverty: Social workers perceptions of poverty knowledge. Journal of Social Work. Vol (22). Issue 4. DOI: 10 1177/14680173211032132

Pace, P. (2024). Poor People’s Campaign Rally Calls for Answers to Nation’s Poverty. NASW. Retrieved on August 6, 2024 from Clicks: Palepa Anderson
NASW, National Association of Social Workers