Generalist Practice and Voting - Essay Example

Introduction

Social work and voting are two different components that have a significant extent of the relationship. In the year 1970, a total of 30 women won their petition for the campaign of establishing allowing social workers to be involved actively in voting activities (Olsen, 1972). Typically, it is imperative to understand that although every citizen has the right to vote, some citizens or individuals may still incur imminent challenges due to insufficient knowledge to contextualize their rights efficiently. In convention, the 1970 agreement deal postulated that such problems, which are regarded as social, can only be resolved by the social workers (Olsen, 1972). In previous decades, social workers have had a substantial impact on the process of voter mobilization by encouraging people to register and vote for their respected candidates.

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Notwithstanding, social workers usually lead community groups and initiative teams, especially for people with disabilities, to understand the dynamics of voter registration and citizen roles in the voting process. In other words, social workers at the society level can support the elderly, disable, and the illiterate category, to ensure that the turnout during the election day is magnificently increased. Even on the other hand, voting can also impact social work positively. Studies conducted by Olsen (1972) postulated that for democratic countries, when a large population of citizens is mobilized, the chances or possibilities of electing the right leaders are enhanced; thus, the efficiency of the delivery process is similarly improved. In a nutshell, social work and voting have a mutual relationship; thus, social workers' use to promote social care is necessary.

Under Representation in Voting

For an international voting system to meet up with all the electoral process standards, it is essential to include all underrepresented groups to promote equality and justice. In the United States of America, minority groups, LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bio-sexual, Transgender, and Intersex) and people with disabilities are the most marginalized groups (McGregor et al., 2019). Studies have shown that these demographics are often left behind concerning information related to the voting process. As a result, electoral body commissions should undertake local and federal efforts by training the local officials about the challenges they are susceptible to. In related research, findings stipulated that approximately 35% of the American population were blacks.

Most importantly, the study outlined that, for any growing and stabilized democratic nations, youths played a critical role in the delivery of critical projects and initiatives. Therefore, failure to include the marginalized groups (voter repression) such as the Africans in the electoral process, might tamper with the possibilities of making the correct voting decisions (racial injustice) (McGregor et al., 2019). Consequently, countries that face voter repression also experience racial injustice because a particular category of individuals is usually left out in the voting process. In this case, the effectiveness of voting decisions in any democratic state must first acknowledge and appreciate the benefits of partaking an inclusive voting process (McGregor et al., 2019). This will ensure a maximum transition and dissemination for information to the marginalized teams and enhance the advocacy efforts and understanding of the voting rights among everyone.

Client Systems and Voting

Macro, Mezzo, and Micro social work practice interventions are often meant to enhance racial justice for larger groups to combat voter repression and subsequent consequences. These interventions can assist families in crisis, mentally-ill people, low-income families, drug users, and homelessness individuals in a broad overview. At the macro-level of social work practice, the interventions include social work research, enhancement for large and small projects initiatives, offering society-based learning programs, and advocating and analyzing for best electoral policies (Colby & Dziegielewski, 2016). Besides, macro social workers are responsible for the administration and leadership of non-profit organizations and organizations' development. Therefore, macro-level social work prevents voter repression at a comparatively more extensive scale.

For the mezzo social work, interventions are mainly offered at an intermediate level, with a primary target on neighborhoods and minor social groups. Health care institutions and community-based centers are typical places to find the mezzo level, social workers. At this level, the central interventions include the coordination of communication amongst the various social groups, which can eventually continue to disseminate the same at the micro-level (Colby & Dziegielewski, 2016). Besides, the social workers at this level of work would facilitate and monitor the challenges faced by marginalized groups to create unique mechanisms that are fair and just in favor of racial justice.

Conclusion

Finally, the social workers who are entitled to deliver the smallest activities can be referred to as micro-level social workers. For example, one might think of a social worker supporting a child in foster care centers or helping homeless persons with places to reside. Therefore, this level's essential interventions include but are not restricted to activities such as family-based learning and individual or team-based counseling (Colby & Dziegielewski, 2016). The most significant role of micro-level social workers is to ensure that marginalized groups at the society level obtain the necessary voting information, knowledge, and skills to achieve their democratic rights.

References

Colby, I., & Dziegielewski, S. F. (2016). Introduction to social work: The people’s profession. Lyceum Books. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-03940-000

McGregor, A. J., Bogart, L. M., Higgins-Biddle, M., Strolovitch, D. Z., & Ojikutu, B. (2019). Marginalized yet Mobilized: Race, Sexuality, and the Role of “Political Hypervigilance” in African American Political Participation in 2016. Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 16(1), 131-156.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1742058X19000031

Olsen, M. E. (1972). Social participation and voting turnout: A multivariate analysis. American Sociological Review, 317-333.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2093471.