Social Work Singapore Social Problems

Question: Discuss about the Social Work for Singapore Social Problems. Answer: Singapore Social Problems and Government Philosophies Singapore has not had an easy path in its social development. Much like any other country in Asia, Singapore has had its fair share of problems related to social inclusiveness and social ills in its pre and post-independence periods. During the early years of social growth and development in Singapore, it was affected by many social ills. Pre-Independence Era (1960-1980) The first problems faced in the pre-independence years were the high rates of unemployment. The soaring unemployment was due to increased population and need for many industries to give jobs to especially the youths (Borrmann, Klassen, Spatscheck, 2007). Although, the unemployment rates were subsequently high, the industries had started to be put in place to help employ the youths. Insecurity potentially increased that led to muggings and rise in general petty thieving. The government had to set policies to improve the social and economic welfare of the people of Singapore. Marriage and divorce rates were not as high as compared to todays Singapore. Though a highly cultured society, where marriage is treasured and encouraged, many people married to follow mostly the heritage and cultures of their parents. Divorce was rare unless due to irreconcilable differences. In fact, divorce was seen as a taboo in the pre- independence periods of Singapore (Coulshed, Orme, 2012). To date, couples that married early in that period still hold hands together and are happy together. The healthcare systems were functional although many research and hospital centers were build post-independence era. Health was considered a great issue of national importance hence the government did a lot to make sure that health care was universal, free and accessible to all. Although the population was increasing most of the people in Singapore were helped by the social workers. Most of the emergency crisis and disaster situations were handled by mostly the social workers. They loved their jobs and were dedicated to the works. The role of Social Workers in crisis, emergency and disaster situations is based on three basic pillars. In the first place, we must be clear about the roles we can play within our professional role, secondly we analyze the situations in which we can intervene and, finally, the evaluation process and all its components. Post Independence Period With regard to the functions of Social Workers, after studying the functions of FITS (International Federation of Social Work) and our Code of Ethics in Singapore., we can summarize those functions that are characteristic of this type of events. Of course, all of them can be expanded, modified or supplemented by new ones that are required, so this table is a theoretical approximation of the functions we must defend. For better compression, they have been divided according to the temporal moment (reemergence, impact, and post emergence) (Johnson, 2009); And also on the basis of the beneficiaries of our intervention (affected, family, community, interveners) and finally a national level on organizational and management issues in management bodies. Social workers today do the following; Contribute to reduce inequalities and social injustices. Make known the opportunities that social groups have at their disposal. Motivate to access those opportunities. To help individuals, families and social groups to develop the emotional, intellectual and social responses necessary to enable them to take advantage of these opportunities without having to give up their personal, cultural and origin traits. Help people involved in managing feelings and emotions to learn to express them explicitly. Helping people to learn new ways of facing problems, conceiving life differently Restore the psychological balance of people. Establish or facilitate communication between people in crisis, and with people who can help in the process. Help the individual or family to properly perceive the situation. Restore the homeostasis of the individual with their environment that has been affected by the critical event. Problems in the early years and the issues now, and a comparison to modern Singapore The problem was immense but also there were difficulties of addressing it, even though it appears obvious to the public. This issue confronts us with a new treatment of the "social question" in the direction of reflecting on the rupture of social ties, the loss of social cohesion, particularly in societies with integration deficits and persistent loss of "organic solidarity" (Payne, n.d.). Along with this the type of social development changes; There is acceptance of inequality and "the notion of equality has been replaced by that of equity (which is a part of equality), the social agenda has been divided and expanded to include issues such as extreme poverty, gender equity , Race, ethnicity, among others. " Poverty, Vulnerability and Exclusion The concept of poverty, which has supported most of the work on the subject in the last two decades, is understood as a lack and refers to a state of deterioration, a situation of impairment that indicates both an absence of essential elements For subsistence and personal development as an insufficiency of the tools necessary to abandon that position.. As a result there is talk of structural poverty, impoverished, income poor; These distinctions mark some characteristics of those who are in this condition and in any case show that the former, regardless of income at the time of measurement, have historically had difficulties in reaching minimum levels of family accumulation. with research centers and council for social services, the government has set policies in order to raise awareness on social ills bedeviling Singapore. Policies such us equal rights to marginalized communities like women and the LGBT have been put in place. The government had to set policies to improve the social and economic welfare of the people of Singapore. The ministry of social work and family awareness has helped in educating young couples on how to avoid conflict in their marriages and avoid divorces (Runcan, Rat?a?, Cojocaru, 2013). These have been through social awareness and education. Policies such as health improvement and proper research have led to reduced social ills in Singapore. Social workers are well remunerated making this one of the best counties on social welfare issues in the world. However, major improvement need to be put in place by the ministry to ensure a well-rounded social justice country. References Borrmann, S., Klassen, M., Spatscheck, C. (2007). International social work. Opladen: Barbara Budrich Publishers. Coulshed, V., Orme, J. (2012). Social work practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Johnson, R. (2009). In a good place. New York: Touchstone. Lawrence, S., Lyons, K., Simpson, G., Huegler, N. (2010). Introducing International Social Work. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd. Payne, M. Modern social work theory (1st ed.). Raheem, K. (1993). Problems of social security and development in a developing country. Jyva?skyla?: University of Jyva?skyla?. Runcan, P., Rat?a?, G., Cojocaru, S. (2013). Applied Social Sciences. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.