Reflections on social work in practice
Perceptions of how being from a higher caste affects social work among the lower (Dalit) caste people of Nepal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31265/jcsw.v6i1.54Keywords:
Dalit, empowerment, sensitiseAbstract
This essay reflects on my community work in a rural village located approximately 70 km from Kathmandu in Nepal. As a social worker, my task was to help integrate people from the Dalit (lower) caste in their local community. The assignment proved to be a challenge, not only because I lacked practical knowledge but also because I belonged to a different caste group, the so-called Brahmin, i.e. the upper caste. In this essay, I discuss how the fact that I am from an upper caste affected my work. The essay attempts to bring forth the problems that I encountered, particularly the critical incidents, and my critical reflections on being a social worker.
References
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Lognwe, Z. (2010). Reflections from challenges of working with HIV/Aids affected and infected orphans in Malawi. Journal of Comparative Social Work (2). Available at http://jcsw.no/local/media/jcsw/docs/jcsw_issue_2010_2_5_essay.pdf accessed on 10.1.2011.
Payne, M., & Askeland, G. A. (2008). Globalization and International Social Work: Postmodern change and challenge. Ashgate, England, Ch.3: “Critical Reflection to Promote Contextual Social Work Practice and Education.”
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Tesoriero, F. (2010). Community development; Community–based alternatives in an age of globalisation. Pearson Australia, Malaysia.
Burkitt, I. (2008). Social Selves; Theories of Self and Society. 2nd ed. Sage Publications Ltd.,London.
Chisala, G. L. (undated). How is Social Work Affected by Different Contexts? Social Work Theories. Part 2, Høgskolen I Bodø.
Dalit Welfare Organisation (DWO). (2010). Available at: http://www.dwo.org.np/ accessed on 22:12:2010.
Healy, K. (2005). Social Theories in Context: Creating Frameworks In Practice. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
Hutchinson, G. S. (Ed.) (2009). Community work in the Nordic countries - new trends. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo.
Lognwe, Z. (2010). Reflections from challenges of working with HIV/Aids affected and infected orphans in Malawi. Journal of Comparative Social Work (2). Available at http://jcsw.no/local/media/jcsw/docs/jcsw_issue_2010_2_5_essay.pdf accessed on 10.1.2011.
Payne, M., & Askeland, G. A. (2008). Globalization and International Social Work: Postmodern change and challenge. Ashgate, England, Ch.3: “Critical Reflection to Promote Contextual Social Work Practice and Education.”
Pockett, R., & Giles, R. (2008). Critical Reflection: Generating theory from practice. Darlington Press, Sydney.
Tesoriero, F. (2010). Community development; Community–based alternatives in an age of globalisation. Pearson Australia, Malaysia.
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Published
2011-04-01
How to Cite
Adhikari, S. (2011). Reflections on social work in practice: Perceptions of how being from a higher caste affects social work among the lower (Dalit) caste people of Nepal. Journal of Comparative Social Work, 6(1), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.31265/jcsw.v6i1.54
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Essays