Ariana Cameron
Hello Class,
“Social structure refers to the social patterns through which a society is organized and can be horizontal or vertical” (Sociology, 2010, p.2). A horizontal social structure is when the social standings remain the same despite a change in position. Whereas a vertical social structure refers to social inequalities and a social ranking of people. I have many roles in each profession invested. The experience that comes to mind would be my role at Walt Disney World, Baylake Tower (Disney Program). I served as a concierge and a major part of the welcoming team. My duties included checking people in, managing housekeeping, and room readiness…and I was great at it. Besides being one of the greatest experiences, I spent the majority of my time being innovative. I would recommend surveys that would convey how our service was measured as a collective and contribute those surveys to make valuable changes in the Disney Program. I expected to be more involved in the process, but I was a part of a program that measures the customer’s happiness and turns it into a better experience for customers. My role was to present quality while remaining optimistic. Stepping into the leadership role was unexpected. Social norms would include not pointing which can be offensive and indirect. Another example would be making a customer aware that you do not know the answers – which is a big No NO.
I can apply for this role as a generalist practitioner by doing research and personally attending to clients and their needs. As the host, presentation is what promotes the activities or future interactions. It also sets the tone for inclusivity and is set by boundaries. As a generalist practitioner, the client will have access to interpersonalized care and treatment made especially for them based off of my findings and collective data.
Reference
Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social (2010).
5.1 Social Structure: The Building Blocks of Social Life – Sociology (umn.edu)
Hello Professor Morris/Class,
According to Thought Co, “Social structure is composed of social institutions and patterns of institutionalized relationships, but we also understand it as present in the social networks that connect us, and in the interactions that fill our everyday lives” (Crossman, 2019). Social structure operates on three levels, micro, mezzo, and macro within society. The micro level is the everyday interactions we have with each other in the forms of norms and customs. Social norms are the rules that guide our behavior (Crossman, 2019).
I am currently employed at a Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Unit. For me to perform my job I need to be emotionally stable and have a positive attitude. My agency serves a very diverse population, people of various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. I am there to support my clients, remain empathetic, respectful and professional at all times. Even though some are uninsured, insured, homeless, and parolees. I am responsible for encouraging clients to participate in positive activities that will strengthen the mind and reduce overall stress.
Social norms theory suggests that our actions can be influenced by our perceptions, or misperceptions, about how our peers think and act Langer & Lietz 2014). However, on a macro as well as the micro-level, the norms of one family may be different from the family next door (Crossman, 2019). The culture and norms that we are surrounded by impact our decisions and can also impact our mental health in various ways (Langer & Lietz 2014).
As a generalist practitioner In order for me to achieve the goals of recovery for my clients I must be able to adapt and manage internal and external processes of the system. My goal is to produce the changes needed for goal attainment to occur. The beautiful thing about being a social worker is as long as I work within the guidelines of ethics. Society does not dictate or determine a set of norms that apply to the majority.
Thank you,
Renee
References
Crossman, A. (2019, June 28). What is “Social structure” in the context of sociology? ThoughtCo.
https://www.thoughtco.com/social-structure-defined-3026594
Langer, C., & Lietz, C. Applying Theory to Generalist Social Work Practice, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/gcu/detail.action?docID=1874136.
