Ecological systems theory and person-in-environment applications in rural social work

Ecological Systems Theory and Person-in-Environment Concept:

The ecological systems theory is perhaps the most important theory within the social work context as it analyzes the development of an individual based on his/her interaction with his/her immediate and external environment. The person-in-environment concept is therefore directly linked to this theory; in the first question here, we highlight six examples of the influences of the four layers of environment (as outlined by the ecological systems theory) on the person-in-environment. All these examples are linked as changes in one layers cause a chain reaction in all other layers as well: Example 1: improper sewage systems negatively impact the health of the people in the community (macro level); Example 2: the low level of local government assistance to improve conditions impacts the trust and reliance of the community on its legislators (macro level); Example 3: the racially biased attitudes of peers will impact self-esteem and deviant inclinations of the targeted students (meso level); Example 4: lack of social control or proper socialization structures will negatively impact an individual's regard and respect for ethics and laws (meso level); Example 5: parent's racist beliefs will result in higher intolerance of the child towards the races in the community (micro level); Example 6: parents' stress from surviving in low socio-economic conditions will translate onto the children and impact their relations and emotional connections (micro level).

Genogram and Eco-map

The rural community chosen has two major problems that social work influence can help them in resolving: 1) improper sewage conditions and 2) racial discrimination. Following in the Genogram and Eco-map that helps us in overcoming these issues:

Ecological Systems Theory and Social Work Influence/Power:

The ecological systems theory would help implement a more aware social work structure as it will help us identify: Internal problems of children and parents, their schedules and lifestyles; Analyze the social and vocational structure and their influence on the lives of families; Analyze the influence of technology and its impact; Analyze the impact of the government activities, industrial growth, economic prosperity, etc.; and, Analyze the overall parallel of morals and ethics that exist. Having all these facts in hand will help us create suitable, quick and sustainable solutions for the problems that communities face.

Creative Ending Rituals

Creating endings rituals of the social work is as important as the social work itself as they leave a lasting impact and sometimes are the decisive factors that can ensure the sustainability of a social work strategy. My personal strengths of observation, collecting relevant information, analysis and clarification will perhaps be most useful in designing creative ending rituals as they will help in designing customized and motivational ending rituals where the targeted family or group will be tackled as a sole entity and will hence engage them in activities that will provide them with the confidence and the will from within to help in improving their internal and external conditions.