SOC301 Final Term Notes by Concepts Builder

SOC301 Short Notes By ConceptsBuilder · Lesson 23: SOCIAL ACTION-I (Topic 73-76) · Topic 73: Social Action

Overview: Various issues such as conflict, violence, prejudice, discrimination, poverty, and hunger are considered social problems. These are caused by human actions and can only be solved by human actions.

One School of Thought

Mary Richmond's Perspective: She considered social action as one of the four processes in social work. Tradition Influence: Rooted in liberalistic, rationalistic, and democratic traditions. Historical Context: Early efforts in the USA focused on transforming charity services from improvement to curative and preventive, promoting the settlement movement.

Second School of Thought

Distinguishing Factor: Not seen as a method of social work; instead, it's an organized effort to change social and economic values and institutions. Relation to Social Reform: More aligned with social reform than traditional social work, aiding planned social change, particularly in community development.

Summary of Both School of Thought

In one school of thought, Mary Richmond, a prominent figure in social work, regarded social action as a pivotal process within the broader field of social work. This perspective was deeply influenced by liberalistic, rationalistic, and democratic traditions. In the historical context, early efforts in the United States were centered on a fundamental shift in charity services – moving from a focus on improvement to adopting curative and preventive approaches, notably through the promotion of the settlement movement.

Contrastingly, the second school of thought diverges from viewing social action as a method within social work. Instead, it perceives social action as an organized effort aimed at transforming social and economic values and institutions. This perspective aligns more with the goals of social reform rather than adhering to traditional social work methods, emphasizing its role in facilitating planned social change, particularly within the realm of community development.

Topic 74: Definition of Social Action

Definition: Social Action involves individual, group, or community efforts aiming to bring changes in social legislation and welfare activities (Walter Friedlander). Examples: Movements like the Civil Rights Movement in the USA, Aligarh University (1875), Feminist Movement (1960s-70s), SEWA (India), National Movement of Street Children (1985, Brazil), Shaukat Khanam Memorial Cancer Hospital (1994), Women Protection Bill (2006, Pakistan), Lawyer’s Movement (2007-2009, Pakistan), and Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act (2010, Pakistan).

Topic 75: Characteristics of Social Action

Aim: Achieve social progress through desirable social change. Focus Areas: Tailoring social policies, improving legislations, and enhancing the health of welfare services. Preventive Aspect: Aims to prevent social maladjustment, illness, and disorganization resulting from social change. Change Advocacy: Aims for positive change in current social practices. Acceptance: Involves a goal accepted as desirable and worthwhile by social actionists. Influence Tactics: Utilizes education, publicity, persuasion, or pressure to influence public opinion.

Topic 76: Elements of Social Action

Activeness of Group or Community: Success requires an active, conscious, planned, and organized group or community. Democratic Working: Mode and methods based on democratic ideals, aligning with the democratic values of social work theory and practice. Democratic Leadership: Leadership should be democratic, emerging through common consent rather than being imposed. Resource Arrangement: Proper attention to material and non-material resources is crucial for success. Coordination with Problem and Resources: Problems should be chosen after evaluating available resources; social workers should study relevant literature. Cooperation: Success depends on the cooperation of community members; social workers inspire and guide community participation. Public Opinion: Success or failure hinges on public opinion; media and public meetings are utilized to shape healthy public opinion.

Lesson 24: SOCIAL ACTION-II (Topic 77-81)

Topic 77: Process of Social Action

Process Overview: Combines a model for guiding a Social Action group with the facilitator's role. Service users are not just consumers; they actively drive change.

Topic 78-79: Steps of Social Action I&II

Steps of Social Action

1. Recognition of problem: Identify existing problems, recognized by individuals, groups, or communities.
2. Collection of facts: Gather facts using scientific research methods, connecting causes and effects.
3. Educate and Empower people: Consult and discuss with affected people, empowering them to understand and participate in the social action process.
4. Conviction that situation is remediable: People must believe in the capacity to reme- dy the situation for effective rebellion.
5. Consultation with people: Develop an action plan through consultation and open discussion with those concerned.
6. Consultation with Stakeholder: Involve local authorities and government for maximum support.
7. Administrative measure: Implement efficient administrative measures, assign specific duties, and report progress.
8. Mobilization of resources: Mobilize men, money, and material for a successful action plan.

Topic 80-81: Principles of Social Action I&II

1. Striving toward Social Justice: Commit to challenging inequality and oppression in various forms, advocating for fairness and equality.
2. Seeing potentials in others: Believe people have skills and understanding to tackle their problems. Encourage using existing insights for change.
3. Recognizing the rights of people: Acknowledge everyone's rights to be heard, define their issues, and take action on their behalf.