ADVOCACY

As J.C. Wakefield (1994, p. 3) says at the beginning of this chapter, chapter 13,
from a quote of his: "Economic goods are not the only kind of goods that are subject to considerations of justice; a minimal amount of a wide variety of social and psychological goods is also owed to each member of society as a matter of justice." Advocacy is defined as having "a role in transforming private troubles into public issues or personal problems into social issues. It has a role in challenging inhumane conditions at a micro- or macrolevel" (Hardcastle & Powers. 2004. p. 356).
Social action, as opposed to advocacy, has a wider goal. Its distinguishing feature is "its emphasis on internal change through consciousness raising and changing. (Hardcastle & Powers. 2004. p. 357). Three progressive forms of change are seen by the blending of advocacy and action. (1) is guaranteeing everyone's human rights;
(2)joining in on the decisions of society and sharing the rewards; (3)transforming our society into a better one, and making it happen. "All three manifestations of change make invisible groups more visible, address social misery and disenfranchisement, link individuals, and presuppose the advocate's optimism or hope" (Hardcastle & Powers. 2004. p. 357-358). Transformation is a wealthy word here. "Transformation is proceeded by visions of a different world..." (Hardcastle & Powers. 2004. p. 359). Revolution is often a part of transformation. In the case of a child who burnt down a house with a lighter, killing his brother, is often made to feel guilty. But, when the safety features of the lighter are looked at, it can be seen that the lighter was poorly designed with no child-proofing on it. It was to blame for the fire. There are six types of advocacy-ranging from self-advocacy to systems advocacy. Often we, as client's advocates, are in a position to change their lives. In social work, self-advocacy includes helping others to help their own situation, as well as themselves. Social workers use self-determination when working with others. SW's assist others to feel listened to and respected. Group advocacy often exists without a social worker to advocate for them. The more people you have in a group, the more education one will get, and information is the key to advocacy. A social worker working with group advocates has to learn to relate to them as individuals. We must work with them, not for them. To challenge the status quo, one must partake in community advocacy. Five ideas were presented for working with community advocacy. They are: (1) organizing events that reinforce the quality of the community; (2) Reinforce the status quo; (3) an advocate may demand that resources be made public; (4) local government should be responsible to those advocating for change; and (5) citizens who are advocating for change must be treated with justice and dignity.
One of the greatest senators that I have ever heard of was while we were in Minnesota-Senator Paul Wellstone. He worked tirelessly for the people. He would have his "helpers" drive around in an old "hippie bus" to different "people" events. He was for the oppressed, the mentally ill (he advocated for parity a long time before parity was passed), those who were on the low rung of society's ladder. He was against the Iraq War, but his life was cut short, by a still uninvestigated plane crash. The night he died, we were all aware of what had been lost, and what it was that had been taken from us. Senator Paul Wellstone was a prime example of a political advocate. Although not many people from high-up in the political sphere, are anywhere near as influential as Paul Wellstone. Most political advocates are everyday citizens who are working to change the political atmosphere of our country, states, counties, and cities.
Systems change is the final case presented in the types of change. "Institutional change implies widespread and basic alteration despite strong resistance" (Brager. 1967. p. 370). Many people advocate for systems changes, especially for corporate structures (the corporatocracy) and for politically unjust countries where the ruling class has all the money while the people live in extreme poverty.
I thought that it was interesting that our text recommended us to be aware of our supervisors, and to be aware of how they relate to internal (making changes for the client inside an agency) or external (where change occurs outside of one's employee) changes. Those supervisors in authority, such as our field supervisor, can be intimidating. Employees and clients may react to supervisors, or to anyone having the power, with "awe, avoidance, and anger" (Hardcastle & Powers. 2004. p. 380).
Advocacy skills are to be kept with the client in mind and in action. If you are representing him/her as a client, it is important to empower them, and to consider their needs, and their self-determination.


References

Brager, G. (1967). Institutional Change: Parameters of the possible. p.. 61 In Hardcastle, D.A. & Powers, P.R. (2004) Community Practice: Theories and skills for social workers. New York: Oxford University Press.

Hardcastle, D.A. & Powers P.R. (2004). Community practice: Theories and skills for social workers. New York: Oxford University Press.

Wakefield, J.C. (1994). Debate with author of “Social work and social control: A reply to Austin.” In Hardcastle, D.A. & Powers, P.R. (2004) Community practice: Theories and skills for social workers. New York: Oxford University Press.